Timeline

A short summary of the events leading up to Council’s various decisions on the pools in Oakleigh and Clayton.

Last updated: 6^th June, 2007.

2001

10^th December, 2001: Monash Acquatic and Recreation Centre, costing $18 million, opens.

2002

February: Then-mayor Tom Morrissey writes to inform Oakleigh and Clayton residents that Council has decided to close Oakleigh and Clayton pools. A community centre will be built at the Clayton pool site. For Oakleigh, “other options for recreational uses [will be] investigated. At a minimum, the area will be converted to open space.”
4^th March: “Save Our Pool” public meeting held.
19^th March: At the Council meeting, Tom Morrissey exercises his casting vote to keep Oakleigh and Clayton pools open.
29^th May: People Speak submitted by CLAG to Council. People Speak was an attempt to determine what the community wanted from Oakleigh pool. Overwhelmingly, people said they liked the setting and informality. They wanted better access, meaning a longer season and longer daily operating hours. They wanted the pool heated—preferably with solar heating.
13^th August: Contract to manage Oakleigh pool for three years awarded to Belgravia Leisure.
3^rd September: Interim report by Pool Steering Committee presented to Council, recommending refurbishment and heating of the pool, refurbishment of diving pool, learners— and toddlers pool, new change room facilities.

Council announces it wants to concentrate on the new Clayton Community Centre. Oakleigh pool put on hold. Clayton residents told that they will lose their 50-metre outdoor pool, but will be able to use the pool at Oakleigh.

2005

December: Work continues of Clayton complex.

2006

6^th June: Council resolves not to re-open Oakleigh pool, citing health concerns. Council proposes $3.5 million for the site, but says “future options will not include indoor or outdoor pools.“
19^th June: State Labor MP for Oakleigh Ann Barker comes out in favour of a pool for Oakleigh.
26^th June: Former Oakleigh mayor Heather Norling organises a petition to campaign for the retention of Oakeligh pool. CLAG releases a separate petition.
3^rd July: CLAG launches “Show blue for the pool” campaign.
10^th July: State Liberal candidate for Oakleigh Colin Dixon helps collect signatures for Heather Norling’s petition.
18^th July: CLAG petition tabled at Council meeting.
26^th July: State Greens candidate for Oakleigh Matthew Billman announces support for pool.
3^rd August: Public meeting arranged by CLAG for pool supporters held in the Mechanics Institute.
8^th August: Council vote to allow the Oakleigh Pool Re-development Committee to look at the possibility of retaining a pool at Oakleigh. Council promises to consult by October.
29^th August: Sgt. Rod Johnson of Oakleigh Police Station warns crime and graffiti will increase over summer if the Oakleigh Pool closes. Federal Chisholm MP Anna Burke says Monash Council should listen to its residents and keep Oakleigh pool open.
19^th September: Students from Sacred Heart Girls‛ College present their petition to keep Oakleigh Pool to Monash Council.
9^th October: Pool supporters read in the local paper that options for the pool site are not completed and consultation won’t begin until Feburary.
31^st October: Council votes on the proposed consultation process, delaying the final decision until May 2007.
12^th December: The Oakleigh Pool Redevelopment Committee presents their options to Council. Of hte four options, none include the refurbishment of the pool with facilities for families with young children.
13^th December: The options for redevelopment are formally presented to the public in stage one of the consultation process.

2007

Phase two of community consultation, a stakeholders’ workshop, is undertaken.
4^th—18^th March: Phase three of community consultation, the SpeakOuts, are held. The final SpeakOut is held at the Oakleigh Festival on the 18^th.
15^th May: Consultation report is released at Council meeting.
5^th June: Council votes to refurbish and improve pool.