Take a plunge

By Monique Ebrington
YARRA Ranges Councillor Chris Templer says he doesn’t mind getting his hands, and feet, dirty when it comes to the redevelopment of the Warburton Caravan Park and pool precinct.
Cr Templer intends to work with a steering committee, which includes representatives from seven community groups and several individuals, to conduct surveys, invite submissions and hold workshops to determine what residents would like to see happen to the location.
An extensive community consultation process will begin within a few weeks, with an appointment of an independent consultant expected by mid-June, to decide what to do with the funding allocated to the redevelopment.
Warburton Pool Precinct Redevelopment for Community Engagement and Development will receive $200,000 from the 2009/10 budget, with $100,000 allocated for 2010/11 and a further $150,000 for 2011/12.
In November 2008, the shire also allocated $550,000 to the redevelopment of the outdoor pool after they announced that the pool would close because it had leaked more than two million litres of water over a three-month period.
It was made clear by the shire that it was a problem that would not be quickly, easily, or cheaply, fixed.
Despite overwhelming objection to the closure from the community, at the time, residents now seem more willing to compromise on the Warburton Caravan Park and pool precinct’s future.
Last year Ruby-Jane Stormer called a meeting to gauge community support for both keeping the pool open for the 08/09 summer and working to develop a plan for the future with 70 or more people in attendance.
Despite the pool remaining closed over summer Ms Stormer is now a member of the steering group working with the community on the redevelopment of the precinct.
“I think Warburton is a unique and beautiful community. The focus is now how do we have a community engagement process that is fun, and winter is a great time to get people together and chatting.”
“I haven’t said I know what to do, I want to know what other people think,” Ms Stormer said.
Cr Templer said the community consultation process was a great opportunity for the residents of Warburton to work with the shire in the development of an important community and tourist facility.
“We really need everyone that wants to use the area to have input so that the community gets what they want, and the decision is not based solely on what the vocal minority want,” Cr Templer said.
Cr Templer said he was also eager to find out what the younger generations wanted and would be visiting schools in the area as part of the consultation process.
“I will be visiting schools along the highway and spend time with school kids in the community to find out what they want,” he said.
“They’re going to be the ones using it, the precinct is their future.”