KCDA calls for retention and upgrade of Korumburra Pool

THE Korumburra Community Development Association (KCDA) has formally called on South Gippsland Shire Council to retain and upgrade the Korumburra Swimming Pool, arguing that years of inadequate maintenance, a lack of asset renewal planning and insufficient investment have contributed to the pool’s current condition.

KCDA Secretary Gary Brittle supports a locally developed strategy for the pool.

“KCDA supports the proposed strategy plan for the pool that has been developed by locals so long as it protects and enhances the existing facilities,” Mr Brittle said.

The association is urging Council to commit to retaining the pool, by developing a proper business and marketing plan and establishing a dedicated asset renewal fund to ensure ongoing maintenance and upgrades.

In its formal submission to council KCDA has argued the pool serves more than 9000 people across its catchment area and provides important facilities and services that cannot readily be replicated elsewhere in the shire.

These include school sporting competitions, accredited lifeguard training, swimming lessons, water safety education, hydrotherapy and support for the local swimming club.

KCDA also describes Korumburra as the only functional 50-metre pool serving the wider Southern Gippsland region, including Bass Coast Shire and South Gippsland Shire.

“The facility has sufficient space for spectators and is an important venue for interschool sporting competitions.”

KCDA believes South Gippsland Shire must look beyond its current usage figures and take into account future population growth.

“Korumburra currently has a population of about 4800, while its broader district catchment is estimated at 9000 people.”

The KCDA submission projects that over the next 30 years the town could grow to approximately 7000 people, with its catchment reaching 10,000. Over 50 years KCDA has projected those figures could rise to 10,000 residents in Korumburra alone.

The association argues these projections strengthen the case for retaining a local pool, particularly given the shire's dispersed population and limited public transport options.

It has challenged council's comparison of the costs and benefits of its six swimming pools, claiming the financial assessments have not provided a fair comparison.

According to KCDA, the figures do not adequately account for the long-term asset renewal costs of all facilities, while engineering assessments have not been provided to support the estimated $18 million renewal cost for Korumburra.

The submission states the facility should have undergone renewal approximately five years ago and argues that successive Councils failed to establish an appropriate maintenance schedule or dedicated asset renewal fund.

KCDA also raised concerns about the potential reliance on the Splash facility in Leongatha as an alternative if the Korumburra Pool were to close.

“Splash cannot replace the full range of services offered by the Korumburra facility, particularly its accredited 50-metre swimming capacity, spectator facilities and suitability for school competitions and lifeguard training,” KCDA stated.

The submission raises broader concerns about the distribution of Council investment, arguing Korumburra has historically received less than its fair share of discretionary capital works and facilities.

It says the community contributed significantly to the original pool, including through donated land held in trust for community use at Coleman Park.

KCDA is seeking further information from Council before any final decision is made, including detailed engineering costings, an explanation of the exclusion of the pool from Council's Asset Plan and clarification of available financial reserves.

The association says councillors and residents need reliable financial and technical information before decisions affecting the future of community facilities are made.

KCDA is calling for a long-term strategy that recognises Korumburra's role in serving the north-eastern end of the shire and the wider Southern Gippsland community.

Mr Brittle said the association's position was that the pool should be preserved, redeveloped and appropriately managed. “The association maintains that the decision should be based on sound evidence, equitable investment and the needs of future generations, rather than the current condition of a facility it believes has been allowed to deteriorate through years of inadequate planning.”