By JESSE GRAHAM
IT WAS a night of debate, disagreement and disruption for Yarra Ranges Council at last night’s meeting, where voices were often raised and arguments were rife.
The issue of the Olinda Pool’s closure took up the majority of Tuesday evening’s discussion, with members of the Save the Olinda Pool group taking to the gallery draped in beach towels.
John Faull from the group spoke before councillors, asking why, after 11 weeks, no progress had been made on the engineer’s report on the pool, drawing numerous, passionate responses from councillors and Environment and Engineering Director Mark Varmalis.
Councillor Noel Cliff appeared late at the meeting, after spending the day chasing leads for a potential solution – putting a liner into the pool.
The liner proposal, which would cost roughly $80,000 and last for 30 years, drew fierce debate among councillors about whether to take action immediately or wait until the engineer’s report is tabled at the end of February.
The night ended with councillors passing an urgent motion to look at alternatives for the pool, such as the liner, while the report was being compiled, to speed along the process for the pool’s potential re-opening.
The motion passed with five votes to four, after numerous councillors, including councillor Jim Child, expressed their disapproval of a hasty approach to fix the pool.
Meanwhile, councillors had to adjourn their meeting for about five minutes after Healesville resident Carol Gallagher screamed at the councillors in fury over alleged destruction of property by council members.
Carol Gallagher erupted at the meeting after her partner, James Fewster, made no ground with councillors in his submission, regarding the demolition of his sheds in November last year.
Director of Planning, Building and Health Andrew Paxton said that Mr Fewster’s account of the demolition, which he alleges resulted in his property being burnt and taken away, was inconsistent with the account of council representatives.
“The whole lot is a lie!” Ms Gallagher shouted, as Mayor Fiona McAllister temporarily adjourned the council meeting and Ms Gallagher was escorted from the building.
For a full report on the meeting and the individual issues raised at council, see next week’s Mail.
