Debate over reservoir dam

By Dion Teasdale
THE future of the Maroondah Reservoir park and dam wall will be the focus of a new community committee to be established in February.
Maroondah View Motel proprietor Rob O’Connor, who raised concerns about the structural integrity of the dam wall and the maintenance of the park late last year, is keen to see a committee set up to focus on the future of the park.
Mr O’Connor said since he raised concerns about the health of the dam wall and the park, a dozen community members had contacted him to express support for a group to be established.
“We’d like to form a committee to look at the whole park and dam area. We’d like to review who is responsible for the upkeep of the park and the wall, review their maintenance programs and have some input into them,” he said.
“We want to work with the community to come up with and put forward a plan for the future of the park.”
Mr O’Connor said he would like representatives from all parts of the community to be involved.
“We are keen to work with Indigenous groups, walking groups, gardening groups, wildlife and environmental groups, tourism operators, the historical society, business groups, even the Lions Club and Rotary,” he said.
Mr O’Connor said he was keen to establish the group as a sub-committee of an existing organisation, such as the Healesville Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber of Commerce member Sally Browne, from Healesville Jewelers, said Mr O’Connor had asked her to raise the matter at the next chamber meeting to be held on Wednesday, 8 February. “The use and future of the park and the dam does relate to the presentation of the town and its assets and it will be brought up at our next meeting as an issue that may be of interest to chamber members,” she said.
“The park and the dam, like all our assets, should be protected and presented to their best possible advantage for locals and visitors.”
Mr O’Connor encouraged groups and individuals interested in finding out more about the proposed committee to contact him on 5962 4154.