Strong public support for Korumburra outdoor pool
Don't miss your chance to have a say
KORUMBURRA community members filled the Middle Hotel’s front bar on Wednesday night, showing support for the town’s swimming pool and a desire to know the latest on the campaign to secure its future.
Attendees heard from Dylan Muir and Bayley Nicholas, who are helping drive the campaign through research and connecting with individuals and those representing various community organisations.
It was announced that people operating a local company, which was not named at the meeting, have spoken to South Gippsland Shire Council representatives, expressing interest in buying the Korumburra outdoor pool and turning it into a community owned asset.
While the company concerned works on its submission to council, a separate submission is being developed on behalf of South Gippsland Bass Swimming Club, Korumburra Swimming Club and Korumburra Indoor Pool Committee, focusing on a community owned asset and how it can be run effectively.
Costings totalling $3.5 million for works required on the Korumburra outdoor pool were presented during Wednesday’s community meeting, centred entirely on the 50-metre pool.
Along with other expenses, the costings include $905,000 for the pool shell, $280,000 labour costs, $105,000 stainless steel ramp and rails package, an estimated $250,000 for balance tanks, $100,000 for ramp/stair concrete works, and $1.25 million for filtration and hydraulics.
There was acknowledgement that the financial impact of various unknowns combined with a lack of allowance being made for concourse removal and reinstatement and Plant Room demolition and replacement, would add to required costs.
The vast gap between the $3.5 million figure and the $18 million specified by council as the cost of works required at Korumburra outdoor pool was highlighted.
In its Aquatic Options Paper, council says works would consist of construction of new pool shells, new plant rooms, pipework and pool filtration equipment, and major refurbishment or replacement of existing building structures.
Mr Muir grew up in Korumburra, is President of the town’s indoor pool, owner of Korumburra Swim School and a coach for both South Gippsland Bass and Korumburra Swimming Clubs.
He addressed council concerns about low attendance figures at Korumburra outdoor pool.
While he pointed to increases in attendance over each of the last four years, Mr Muir stressed that much greater demand for the pool exists, but improvements are needed on several fronts to harness that demand.
“If we don’t have a facility that’s up to standard, we have to go elsewhere and that includes aquatic facilities,” Mr Muir said.
“I coach at the aquatic centre in Leongatha, I run a swim school in Leongatha and there are a lot of people there who come from Korumburra that would use the Korumburra pool if it was redeveloped, and if it was at 28 degrees.
He spoke of the Korumburra pool’s limited opening hours that are currently restricted by pool temperature, noting people can’t use the pool if it’s not operating.
While Mayor Nathan Hersey was happy to chat to attendees individually, he declined an invitation to take the microphone, later explaining that councillors must keep an open mind.
He stressed that declaring a public position on council’s pool strategy now would likely result in councillors being excluded from voting on the matter, potentially penalising the communities they serve.
“Councillors need to hear from the community, so I encourage you to put in a submission,” Cr Hersey said, noting that can be by completing council’s survey or through a written submission by letter or email.
People are encouraged to read council’s Aquatics Options Paper before providing their views, with feedback closing on Sunday December 6, the Paper focusing on the six pools South Gippsland Shire Council manages.
