Don’t plan the funeral, we’re not dead yet

From the Chewton Pool Committee

On a wet Monday evening this week two gatherings took place in Chewton. One was a meeting of residents to discuss keeping the pool; the other was with Council officers to discuss the administration’s funeral arrangements for the pool. While around 50 local residents and Cr Christine Henderson attended the BBQ in stormy weather, representatives of the Save the Chewton Pool Committee met with Council officers.

If the last few weeks have taught us anything, it is that the will and voice of the people will prevail. In the case of the Shire’s outdoor pools, the will of the Shire’s ratepayers/shareholders has been ignored. First demolition was Campbells Creek; next planned is Chewton and Castlemaine; and in a few short years, Harcourt, Maldon and Newstead.

Councillors and staff at Council – please remember, we are the paying, voting shareholders who pay for recreation facilities and your wages. We are not going to stand by as impotent communities while you erode our assets and increase your income through our rates.

This patient is not dead – our pool is still intact and we will continue to fight for our young families.

The Council Plan (2009-2013) states that Council has an objective “to enable an active and healthy community by providing appropriate services and facilities”.

• How does Council’s decision to close the Chewton facility support the stated commitment in the Council Plan (2009-2013) or “recognise the importance of ongoing service delivery” in particular “continued operation of swimming pool facilities”?
• How can the decommissioning of one pool or the consolidation of several community pools serve the stated goal of “operating multiple swimming pool facilities throughout the Shire?”

How has this policy been applied to the Chewton facility when over the past five years Council has undertaken no works to the Chewton facility other than limited repairs to broken infrastructure or plant? Has Council circumvented achievement of its goal in providing an “appropriate service” by letting the Chewton pool fall into a state of disrepair?

Best Value Principles?

• How will Council’s tender for an aquatic centre and closure of Chewton pool respond to Best Value Principles as required under the Local Government Act?
• In particular, consideration of accessibility of services to the community and the meeting of community expectations and values?

On 10 August Council voted to accept the Loddon Mallee (Southern) Regional Strategic Plan. This is the State blueprint for our part of the region. A key recommendation Council endorsed was to “improve the liveability of small towns and their ability to manage change through investing in place based community planning, strengthening community leadership models, improving transport connections, encouraging joined up government service delivery and investing in urban renewal (including community hubs, recreation facilities and streetscape enhancement).”

• How is Council’s attitude to liveability and Council’s lack of investment in our “urban renewal” consistent with what Council is being asked to endorse?
• How can Council’s very public rejection of the representation of the local MP on this matter be considered “joined up government”?

This patient is alive and kicking – not so sure about the undertakers!