By Danielle Kutchel
People power has delivered the right outcome on the Dandenong Oasis redevelopment.
That’s according to Cr Maria Sampey, who was a strong supporter of users objecting to part of the redevelopment.
The City of Greater Dandenong’s draft aquatic strategy had included plans to change the layout of Oasis to add a 25 metre, 10 lane lap pool, removing the current 50 metre Olympic sized pool.
But users of the centre rebelled, arguing a smaller pool would not meet swimmers’ needs.
They hit the pavement, presenting a petition signed by more than 760 people to council.
In a council meeting on Monday 23 September, the planned redevelopment was put to council for a vote.
Cr Sampey said the users’ determination had paid off, and in Monday night’s council meeting councillors voted unanimously to provide a new 50 metre, eight lane pool.
She criticized the council officer’s report, telling the Dandenong Journal that officers had been trying to push for a 25 metre pool and that the final report hadn’t included the petition.
“They were running the show, they wanted Oasis to be 25 metres,” she said.
But she said councillors “got it right in the end” with their vote.
An electronic boom will be added to the pool to allow it to be divided into a 25 metre pool when necessary, for example during lessons for school groups.
Cr Sampey said she hoped swimming competitions would also be held at Oasis in future.
She said it was vital that councillors thought “long term” when making decisions on local facilities, and that they listened to their constituents.
“They’re the rate payers. We as councillors need to listen to them and accommodate them,” she said.
“It’s got to be a win-win situation – when there’s decision that needs to be made, we have to take note of residents first and foremost.”
