Pool doldrums

By Tania Martin
MONBULK’S long-awaited swimming pool upgrade is at a standstill as the Yarra Ranges Council faces a $2.5 million project shortfall.
Hills residents are still waiting for action on the project after more than 10 years.
In December 2007, residents welcomed $837,000 in State Government cash for the upgrade.
But two years on and the project is still no closer to starting.
Steering committee member Gaby Mitchell said it had been a long road and the fight for the pool was far from over.
Ms Mitchell said there was a funding short-fall of more than $2.5 million.
In 2004-05 the council allocated $2 million to the project but the cash was later diverted to the town’s community hub project. The council has since reallocated $1.6 million in its 2007-08 and 2008-09 budgets.
Following the State Government boost it was found there was a serious shortfall for the project.
The upgrade is now expected to cost more than $5 million.
Lyster Ward Councillor Samantha Dunn said the plan was to build an extra program pool, upgrade the change rooms and toilets and possibly improve the gymnasium.
She said the project hit a snag after the council discovered the need for new plant equipment which includes a new chlorinating pump.
Cr Dunn said this would cost more than $800,000 before even looking at upgrading the swimming pool.
“We obviously can’t use the State money for this because that was meant to build a swimming pool and that is going to happen,” she said.
“We just need to figure out the best way to fund it.”
Cr Dunn said the council had applied for the extra funding through the Federal Government’s stimulus infrastructure fund.
She said if this was not successful she would be fighting for the project to be included in next year’s council budget.
Ms Mitchell said the continued delays were putting the project in jeopardy.
“It’s time Monbulk stood up… we need this pool,” she said.
“It’s much more than a pool, it’s a community facility – it’s a community gathering point.”
Ms Mitchell said the toilets and changing rooms were still a major issue.
She said the concept plans for the upgrade were ‘awesome’ but it all hinged on a massive $2.5 million injection from the Federal Government. “It’s not even close to starting at this stage,” Ms Mitchell said.
“It’s very disappointing to the community and we are losing kids because they are going elsewhere to better facilities.”
Monbulk MP and Sports Minister James Merlino said the upgrade was vital for the Dandenongs.
He said it would help breathe new life back into the Monbulk Aquatic Centre.
“The Monbulk community expects this project to be delivered in full and council must do all it can to commence works as soon as possible,” Mr Merlino said.
Cr Dunn said if the Federal Government doesn’t provide the funds the council would have to chip in the shortfall to get the project started.