By MARC MCGOWAN
THE Yarra Ranges Council survey designed to gather feedback on the dormant Olinda Pool drew multiple angry posts on council’s Facebook page last week.
Yarra Ranges Council shut the pool in November last year due to the discovery of irreparable cracks, as well as low attendance rates.
The five-step survey is open until 10 October and follows council’s Aquatic Strategic Plan, which states the Olinda Pool “is unlikely to remain viable” for a variety of reasons.
Survey respondents are asked to tick one of five boxes ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree” and add a comment in reply to five themes about the pool.
The council is keen to maintain the pool as a source of firefighting water for Olinda CFA and the fourth theme in the survey suggests it could be a good area to use as a “retreat” in a bushfire emergency.
The figures – both likely attendance and restoration costs – stated in the survey’s final theme caused the greatest community angst.
The survey suggests the minimum restoration cost would be $750,000 and the community could expect about 20 pool users per day in the 12-week summer season.
One Facebook respondent, Cathie Newell, wrote on the council page she would not complete the survey, because she wanted Olinda Pool fixed rather than redeveloped.
Save the Olinda Pool chairman John Faull, who helped fund-raise for the pool’s construction 50 years ago, said any usage estimations were inaccurate, given the lack of attention in this area in the past.
“I’ve seen times there when you can’t get a car park and the accusations of the usage are totally incorrect,” Mr Faull said.
“We know, on many occasions, the gate is never manned, so people were getting in without charge.”
Mr Faull also said not enough people were aware the survey even existed.
The Aquatic Strategic Plan states immediate works to bring the pool to “a safe standard” would cost $80,000 then a further $150,000 for improvements across the next decade.
Mr Faull’s preference, like Ms Newell, is for council to go down that path and ensure Olinda Pool was open for use this summer.
“We are disappointed council can’t accept the fact we only want the Olinda Pool repaired to its original status,” he said.
“They’re suggesting they want a far bigger, grandiose scenario at the Olinda Pool site.
“We’re not saying we’re not happy with it, but … we want to maintain our swimming pool, along with whatever council wants to do.”
Mr Faull hoped the Save the Olinda Pool group would be able to assist with council’s desire to make greater use of the area, including hosting open-air film nights, markets and the writers’ festival.
He said the lack of youth activities in Olinda made the availability of the pool all the more important.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said Olinda residents had a “terrific case”, but needed to justify their stance in large numbers.
“In light of the pool strategy, they’re going to have to work very hard to get council to reinstate it,” Cr Cliff said.
“It won’t be easy, but … they’ve got a sporting chance.
“If they’re to stand a chance in hell of getting this thing reinstated, they have to show there are not just half a dozen people but a full community across the region.”
Mr Faull said the Save the Olinda Pool group planned to hold a 50th anniversary celebration in the pool’s honour.
Residents can join the Olinda Pool conversation by going to
