The closure of the Buchan pool by Parks Victoria has left locals, particularly children, devastated.
Parents are shocked by the decision, arguing the swimming pool provides an important social outlet for children over summer in a township that doesn’t have many other facilities to keep them entertained.
Parks Victoria addressed kids at the Buchan Primary School on Tuesday as to why the pool had to close.
The popular spring-fed pool at the Buchan Caves Reserve has to remain shut because of health concerns.
Under the recently updated Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009, swimming pools are required to turn over 25 per cent of the pool’s total water volume each hour to meet public health and hygiene standards.
The Buchan pool was recently assessed as not meeting standards because of low water flow.
Vera Di Campli, of the Buchan Neighbourhood House, is among a number of locals surprised by the decision.
“The water is filtered through the limestone in the Buchan Caves, it has to be the cleanest water in the state,” she said.
“It’s pure spring water.”
Acting principal of the Buchan Primary School, Sarah Walker, said given “we’re in a drought at the moment, the water level is going to be low”.
“The kids are pretty upset by the decision,” Ms Walker said. Ten-year-old Noah Mathers and his brother, seven-year-old Campbell, had been regulars at the popular swimming pool.
“We normally swim there in summer,” Noah said.
“I’m not very happy about it at all,” he said.
Nine-year-old Roman Murphy said he was also disappointed by the decision to close the pool.
“It’s really fun and it’s a challenge to see how long you can stay in there because the water is really cold,” Roman said.
“The other good thing is it’s basically open all the time,” Roman said.
Campbell Mathers said now the pool was closed he and his brother would probably have to swim in the dam near their property.
Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has written to Parks Victoria urging them to find a solution to keep the swimming pool open.
“The swimming pool is one of the local tourist attractions and therefore important in relation to visitation to the town,” Mr Bull said.
“The pool has to maintain an inflow/outflow (refresh) rate of 50 kilolitres per hours, but I amtolditisnowdownto11 kilolitres per hour.”
Mr Bull said while he understands the logistics, he believes that not enough has been done to keep it open “given the seasonal conditions and its importance to the town”.
Concerned community member, Kirstie Pearce, said Parks Victoria had no consultation with the community.
“The closure of the pool will have a huge impact on the local community,” she said.
“This pool is a significant gathering place for the local youth and children. In a town with minimal resources and several setbacks with droughts and fires, this is like a kick in the guts.
“We are calling on Parks Victoria to resolve this issue by bringing the pool up to standard or for Department of Health and Human Services to allow an exemption to the standard and to undertake water quality testing over summer.
“There have never been any health issues with this pool since it opened many years ago.”
IMAGE: Local Buchan kids are disappointed by the decision to close their swimming pool. K1535-2798