More than 50 people turned up to the annual general meeting of the Robertson and District Swimming Pool Association on November 15.
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Chaired by outgoing RADSPA secretary Ian Hunt, the AGM addressed several ongoing issues that related to the pool after the shed collapsed in 2018.
Mr Hunt said that following the shed's collapse, legal representation was undertaken and he could not comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
However, he did confirm that it was not before the courts.
"It could take several years if we go to court, we're trying to avoid that," he said.
"It is now up to our legal team to address the situation to produce an outcome acceptable to all parties."
The AGM also included RADSPA solicitor David Allen of Haille Pain.
Members of RADSPA were concerned over the ongoing fees associated with the legal proceedings, fence hire and general cost in the treasurers report presented at the meeting.
Robertson resident Judy Fisk asked Mr Hunt and solicitor Mr Allen a series of questions surrounding the contents of the report.
The questions included the cost of fence hire and how much money was spent on legal fees.
Mr Hunt explained RADSPA had recently re-negotiated the price of fence hire with Kennards four months earlier.
"We had negotiated a reduction in the cost of the fence and the account is paid until the end of the year," he said.
"It was originally $450 a month and it is now $180 a month."
Ms Fisk also asked about the legal fees.
Mr Hunt said there was a legal team working for RADSPA.
"In relation to cost, it's part of the claim we have going on and as such we are not at liberty to discuss it. It's a matter for the legal team," he said.
"We have investigated the costs and we are being charged standard legal fees."
Josephine Grieve said it was disappointing to see $30,000 already spent on legal fees.
She hoped that if a new committee was brought in, someone would have legal connections.
"I think people with skills such as accountants, lawyers, architects should be in the committee," she said.
"As a public community project, we should have someone willing to act pro-bono for us. We need to have legal representation like this. Going forward we should think about someone having these skills on the committee."
Mr Hunt also confirmed the current funds, grants and savings raised by the community.
"Initially there was $217,000 raised in community funds. The remainder of the funds came from the Commonwealth and State grants as well as the Veolia grant to a total of $1.12 million," he said.
"What you need to remember is that a lot of those quotes [for the pool] go back to 2014, there was a lot of pro-bono and 'in-kind' work undertaken by a lot of contractors, so it pays no resemblance to the cost to what it would be now."
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According to the RADSPA website, the estimated cost for a pool is now $2.5 million.
A question was asked by a community member regarding the status of the pool which was to be delivered in 2018.
Mr Hunt confirmed that RADSPA had lost the deposit for the pool in 2018.
"The deposit was paid for the pool and the pool was going to be delivered but we lost the deposit because we had to forfeit because the construction wasn't complete," he said.
"It is part of the legal process. The deposit was $18,000 and $170,000 for the whole pool.
Mr Hunt said it was up to a new committee to pursue a pool option.
At the meeting, members voted on a new committee to continue fighting for a community pool. The other option was to go into voluntary liquidation if there was no community interest.
Mr Neville Frederick accepted the role as the new RADSPA president and a new committee was voted in.
Mr Hunt thanked the outgoing committee at the end of the AGM.
"I would like to express my sincere thanks to the outgoing committee for their work over trying and turbulent times over the build. They have demonstrated determination, patience, diligence and good humour in the challenges we have faced," he said.
Mr Hunt wished the new committee well.
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
