Dam concerns deflected

HEALESVILLE’S Chamber of Commerce has declined the opportunity to establish a sub-committee to look at the future of the Maroondah Reservoir park and dam.
At the group’s first meeting of the year on 8 February, chamber members agreed to refer the matter to new local residents’ group, Community 3777.
Maroondah View Motel owner Rob O’Connor had approached the chamber last month hoping to form a sub-committee to address concerns about the park and dam.
Last year Mr O’Connor raised concerns about the structural integrity of the dam wall and called on Parks Victoria to upgrade the surrounding park.
Chamber of Commerce president Gary Slater said members were interested in the future of the reservoir but felt the matter would be better pursued elsewhere.
“We are concerned about what happens with the dam and the park and care about the possible negative impact of further deterioration of both on tourism,” he said.
“However, we felt that the future of the dam and the park was an issue better dealt with in the wider community.”
Mr O’Connor said he had made contact with Community 3777 and that he would consider making a formal approach to the group in the coming months.
Community 3777 chair Karen Kasala said Mr O’Connor’s concerns about the future of the dam and park were the type of issues the group hoped to address in the future.
“While Community 3777 has recently become incorporated, we are still in the process of formalising the group’s procedures,” she said.
“Once the group is up and running in the next few months, Mr O’Connor will be able to raise the matter with us.”