Emergency talks are being held to improve safety at a popular local swimming hole after a former lifesaver was injured on rocks left by council contractors.
Melissa Wisbey has joined a chorus of calls for the restoration of Flemings pool at the end of Millers Road in Altona, named after the Fleming family who removed rocks in 1915 to create a swimming hole.
Hobsons Bay councillors, traders and residents have met at the site where the council earlier this year placed rocks and built a 45-metre stormwater pipe encased in a revetment.
Ms Wisbey, a former secretary of Altona Life Saving Club, said she was dragged over the rocks during a recent swim.
“I got dragged from head to toe on the rocks left behind,” she said.
“My bathers were torn, so imagine a small child … they would have been torn to shreds.”
Ms Wisbey said she was “absolutely thrilled” to hear the council was looking at remediation of the area “to make it safe again”.
Cr Tony Briffa convened a meeting on- site on Thursday with fellow ward councillor Sandra Wilson, senior council officers, Altona Village Traders Association head Kim Walsh, Altona Laverton Historical Society member Peter Weaver and a number of concerned residents.
“We had a look at the area, discussed the many concerns raised by local residents and what was needed to remediate the area back to the way it was,” Cr Briffa said.
“We agreed on a number of outcomes which includes careful monitoring of the area to remove pebbles, seaweed and other debris.
“More long-term, we are planning on the upgrade/replacement to the existing ramp, which might provide greater room for the beach area at Flemings Pool in addition to better and safer access for all users.
“The new ramp will also see the removal of the larger rocks in front of the ramp as they are currently there to assist with erosion.”
