Pool to make way for shops

BEACONSFIELD’S indoor swimming pool will be demolished to make way for a new shopping and office complex.
The privately owned pool closed several months ago after almost 15 years of operation.
In a move that made waves at Cardinia Shire Council’s meeting last week, plans were approved for a redevelopment of the pool site, including an office and six shops.
Cr Brett Owen said the redevelopment would meet the needs of the local community.
But the pool’s closure was bemoaned by Cr Bill Ronald who said it was a “terrible tragedy”.
Cr Ronald also criticised plans to develop shops on the site where he said hundreds of children had learnt to swim over the years.
The Central Ward councillor voted against the decision, opposing his colleagues in a once familiar, now increasingly rare show of dissent.
“I opened that pool in 1993 and it is a facility that has served the community so well,” Cr Ronald said.
“It’s a shame that, for whatever reason, we are losing a good facility and replacing it with more of what we’ve got too much of already.”
Councillors voted sixone in favour of the application by Swale Project Pty Ltd. Cr Ronald aside, councillors agreed with town planners that the plans should be supported.
“Obviously it would have been great if the pool was still operating,” Cr Brett Owen said.
“But for whatever reason it hasn’t kept going, maybe it wasn’t viable and unfortunately the business has ceased.”
Cr Owen said the big plus for the community was the provision in the development for 28 car spaces.
Cr Owen said town planners had insisted that there be adequate parking onsite and commended shire staff on the outcome of their negotiations with developers.
“People are fully aware of my views on car parking. There is a real concern about car parking in Beaconsfield,” Cr Owen said.
Cr Graeme Legge said he believed the development would make a positive contribution to Beaconsfield.