SERIOUS confusion exists over the future of the Jubilee Lake pontoon.
The pontoon was removed last October in response to a tragic drowing death on November 27, 2004.
An official statement issued by the Hepburn Shire Council's press office last Thursday said the decision would not be reconsidered.
At a meeting with angry protestors on Friday, mayor Heather Mutimer and deputy mayor Bill McClenaghan indicated the decision was not irreversible.
"All we did was remove the pontoon but that doesn't mean it is never ever coming back," Cr McClenaghan said.
Attempts by The Advocate to contact Cr McClenaghan to clarify the difference between Thursday's official statement and Friday's claim the decision was "not irreversible" have, to date, been unsuccessful.
Cr Mutimer said the full council hasn't had a chance to discuss the situation.
"I can't give an answer," she said.
Cr Mutimer said council would meet at a forthcoming workshop.
The pontoon was removed in October last year following the death of 14-year-old Delacombe boy Robert Brereton.
About 40 protesters, including Cr Mutimer's 90-year-old mother, voiced their concerns about the removal of the pontoon and alleged lack of communication by the council.
A list of 12 questions was put to Cr Mutimer and Cr McClenaghan.
"We are not prepared to speak about the questions because of respect to the (dead boy's) family and legal reasons," Cr Mutimer said.
"We hope to come back to the community. The pontoon hasn't been destroyed."
The council responded to the questions with a typed, two-page statement circulated amongst the protesters.
Peter O'Mara of Hepburn Springs, an opponent of the pontoon's removal, said the council's response opened the way for people to move ahead. He called for a public meeting.
Cr McClenaghan agreed a public meeting was desirable.
"We can't make a decision with only half of us (councillors) here," he said.
Michael Sayn from Coomoora was at the protest to hear the council's response to the removal and to consider any action relating to the pontoon.
"I'm annoyed the community wasn't informed," Mr Sayn said.
"My wife and kids use it. It's a place to stop and have a rest. We miss it like a lot of other people."
A risk-assessment audit was undertaken at Jubilee Lake following the death of Robert Brereton and the council decided to remove the pontoon.
A coronial investigation concluded the death was the result of drowning.
The council's insurers also made an investigation at the lake late last year.
This included a risk assessment by Life Saving Victoria. A number of risks were identified including cold water, thermal currents, depth and unrestricted access.
Life Saving Victoria recommended the pontoon be removed as it was determined to be an "enticement for swimmers to swim out into the lake where potentially they would be more likely to be affected by cold currents".
In its official statement last Thursday the council stated that by removing the pontoon swimmers were expected to remain in shallow water, closer to the shore where they were less likely to be affected by identified risks including
the cold currents.
Email a friend