About Us
Save Doveton Pool is a community campaign by residents and community groups in Doveton and surrounding suburbs, who have come together to help save our historic pool from demolition.
Update - October 2024
Council Removes Both Slides from Doveton Pool—No Plans for Replacement
We’re sad to report that Casey Council has begun removing both the large slide and the small kids' slide from Doveton Pool, with no plans to replace them. This is a huge blow to our community, especially for the local kids who’ve enjoyed these slides for years.
The community is not happy with this decision. Doveton Pool has been a vital part of our neighbourhood, and removing these fun elements will take away from what makes the pool such a special place for families.
But we’re not giving up. The Save Doveton Pool campaign, along with DETA (Doveton Eumemmerring Township Association), is working hard to ensure the new council, once elected, changes the master plan. We are pushing for the inclusion of a kids' shallow pool area, replacing the waterslides and other new fun activities that will make Doveton Pool a place families still want to visit.
We need your continued support. Together, we can ensure that the future of Doveton Pool includes safe and exciting features that benefit our whole community.
Yours sincerely,
Stefan Koomen
on behalf of the Save Doveton Pool Campaign
Update - July 2024
We Did It! The Doveton Pool Has Been Saved!
After a three-year campaign, our community's efforts have saved the Doveton Pool In The Park.
Casey City Council this month announced $4.64 million to upgrade the heritage listed 50 metre pool!
Without everyone's efforts, Council would have thrown our ratepayer dollars to other suburbs and demolished Doveton Pool.
This vital funding is for Stage 1 of the new Doveton Pool In the Park masterplan, but it only saves the 50 metre pool.
There is still more work needed to complete the masterplan, that will include a free year-round public splash park for all local kids - a waterplay park that our community can be proud of!
Thank you to everyone for coming together to help our community
Yours sincerely,
Stefan Koomen on behalf of the
Save Doveton Pool Campaign
Update - April 2024
After more than two years since the release and adoption of the new updated masterplan that retains the Doveton Pool, City of Casey Council have only committed to 50% of the required funding to deliver the project. This uncertain position leaves the long-term existence of the Doveton Pool in great jeopardy.
The Save Doveton Pool team, as part of DETA (Doveton Eumemmerring Township Association), and the 3177 community, are continuing to push for the funding to deliver this project for local kids and ensure the sustainability of our pool for generations to come.
Please continue to show your support to Save Doveton Pool by completing the three steps on how 'How To Help' page, or by contacting Stefan Koomen JP on 0403 033 243 or at deta3177@gmail.com.
Update - April 2022
After 12 months of extensive community campaigning, advocacy and media coverage we are delighted to advise that Casey Council have removed the proposal to demolish the Doveton Pool.
Following consultation with the community and stakeholders, Council has produced a new masterplan to upgrade the Doveton Pool In The Park.
The Save the Doveton Pool campaign committee, as part of DETA (Doveton Eumemmerring Township Association), are supportive of this new masterplan. The plan, if delivered by City of Casey, restores the funding intended for the pool upgrade and will secure the pool's long term future as the centerpiece of our community.
More information about Council's new pool upgrade proposal and design can be found here:
https://conversations.casey.vic.gov.au/doveton-pool-in-the-park-concept-plan
Next steps
Following the formal adoption of the The Doveton Pool in the Park Outdoor Pool and Year-Round Accessible Park project proposal, the Save Doveton Pool team will begin advocacy to secure the necessary funding to deliver the proposal in full.
Please fill out the form on the front page to stay in touch and help us to once and for all Save Doveton Pool!
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Background - March 2021
How did we get here?
In March 2021, Casey Council put forward a proposal and formal motion to remove all four pools from Doveton Pool in the Park (DPIP) without any community consultation.
With only three days notice the Doveton community stood up to retain our pool with a petition gaining over 2,000 signatures in 48 hours.
Casey Council changed its motion and committed to undertake public consultation on the next steps for DPIP. Despite the strong community response, Casey Council would not rule out the ‘No Pool’ proposal.
Next steps
The Save Doveton Pool campaign believe if genuine community consultation is undertaken it will show that a ‘No Pool’ proposal is not something the community wants or will accept.
The Save Doveton Pool team is now bringing together support from across the community to ensure the community is heard and that Council understand the importance of keeping a pool at Doveton Pool in The Park.
Why does Doveton Pool matter?
An open letter from the Doveton Eumemmerring Township Association (DETA)
The Doveton and Eumemmerring community are aware that Council are considering an option to remove ALL four pools from the historic Doveton Pool In The Park (DPIP) site.
There are many important reasons why we need to retain a pool at DPIP including:
Supporting Disadvantaged Communities
- Doveton is the third most disadvantaged suburb in Victoria, according to the respected Dropping of the Edge Report, prepared by Jesuit Social Services. The ABS SEIFA report on relative advantage/disadvantage also includes Doveton in the top 10 most disadvantaged suburbs in Victoria.
- Communities of high disadvantage like Doveton require additional support and special consideration for the needs and well-being of residents, especially young people. If young people have a safe and affordable local meeting space, like the DPIP, they are less likely to engage in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.
Demand for Pools in Casey
- City of Casey only has two public indoor pools and one outdoor pool (Doveton), yet it is the largest municipality by population in Victoria and one of the fastest growing in Australia. Current pool patronage across Casey show that existing public pools are overcrowded.
- Local schools report that they find it difficult to make bookings for other pools in the region, when they are needed, due to increasing demand from other schools and community groups. It makes sense to retain and promote an existing pool rather than close it down and potentially have to build another one, on another site, in the future when it becomes necessary.
- During the 2020 COVID restrictions, DPIP, being outdoor, was the only Council pool that was able to open in the municipality and it supported many residents and swimming groups during a very difficult period. Doveton residents were proud to welcome groups from across Casey and support them through this difficult time.
Improving Water Safety
- Multicultural Importance: Doveton and surrounding suburbs have very culturally and ethnically-diverse populations, with many recently-arrived families. It is vital that these groups have access to a local and affordable place for swimming, to reduce the high instances of drowning and death of children. The DPIP is a safer alternative to swimming in creeks and other waterways. This was the original reason for the pool being built 50 years ago and remains as important as ever.
Long Term Need
- The Doveton/Eumemmerring population is rapidly expanding due to rezoning, subdivision and the creation of three new infill estates by developers. This growth is also occurring in neighbouring suburbs and any decision to remove the pool now would be short sighted.
- The DPIP site is large enough to both retain a pool and recreation facility and also meet the needs for more open space, as outlined in Casey Council’s Open Space assessment. By working together, a better outcome can be found that retains the pool.
A Great Opportunity
- There are untapped opportunities for the co-located Doveton College to increase the pool’s involvement in their holistic, wrap-around services and programs; DPIP could be used to provide swimming training and water safety education to parents from non-English speaking backgrounds.
- The DPIP has had little opportunity to be economically viable in recent years, due to heavily-reduced opening hours and lack of engagement and involvement with the community and local schools. Despite this, the pool is still used regularly by schools and swim groups from across Casey and the outer south east. DPIP is uniquely suited for these types of events.
There are many options to help fund improvements or upgrades of the pool that are yet to be considered, including: pool memberships, community partnerships, philanthropic contributions, developer levies and government grants.
The pool presents a great way to build and strengthen a highly disadvantaged community. Together we need to look at the opportunities that this historic and unique asset offers, rather than simply focusing on the perceived deficits.
Yours sincerely,
Stefan Koomen JP
Chair
Doveton Eumemmerring Township Association