Young Shire Councillors have been told not to sacrifice what the people of Young were told they would have after renovations at the town's pool have led to a blowout in costs.
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The cost blowout is the result of the discovery and necessary removal of hundreds of tonnes of asbestos material from the site.
Council staff were presented a report, which has been deferred, at their meeting last week recommending they endorse a change of project scope to include a zero-depth splash pad in lieu of a splash pool.
Pool lessee Alleena Vitnell addressed the council meeting last Wednesday urging councillors to vote against a zero depth splash pad and revert back to the plan for a splash pool.
"It was only after reading the agenda for this meeting that we found the plans had changed dramatically," Ms Vitnell said.
"We were promised a great splash pool transitioned to a gradual depth with a paddling and learn to swim area to replace what was being removed, one the town could be proud of.
"Please don't put a zero depth splash pad to compromise for the asbestos removal that has gone over budget.
"The town shouldn't be missing out on what we were promised," she said.
Ms Vitnell also expressed concerns in relation to communication with council staff and the potential loss of income the lessees faced due to the works.
"Whilst one could go on about the process and many emails that have gone back and forward on the current works it won't achieve anything," Ms Vitnell said.
Her concerns included:
- Not knowing where the pool entry would be;
- Not knowing where the site office will be;
- The lack of internet and telephone services;
- Not having anywhere to sell stock;
- Not being aware of a completion date;
- What access there would be to the end of the pool for training and timekeeping;
- Details on disabled entry and access to toilets and showers.
"What we do know for sure is we won't have a canteen to sell any food which is a large part of our income and a source of employment," Ms Vitnell said.
She also detailed her concerns relating to communication with council staff.
"I have to say that trying to communicate with council staff is challenging to say the least," she said.
trying to communicate with council staff is challenging to say the least
- Alleena Vitnell
"For some reason no one in the infrastructure department likes to reply to emails or return phone calls.
"After the frustration of no contact, sometimes weeks go by and you send another email only to receive an out of office reply that that person is now on leave.
"You are then faced with 'it's not my area you need to talk to him when he is back' or the person you are directed to is also on leave or on a flexi-day.
"The only time we have been able to organise meetings with council staff is when we instigate and make them happen.
"We did offer to close before the end of last season so that council could start work early and we wouldn't be in the situation that we are in now, unfortunately the plans were not finalised and the contract was not on time.
"We are reasonable people and believe we have been very patient during this whole process.
"We have tried dealing directly with the council staff responsible for this project but feel we have not been given straight answers to our questions and are quite frankly frustrated with the whole process," she said.
