Rosebud pool: voting begins to find title for Mornington Peninsula aquatic centre
A shortlist of names for a new public pool on the peninsula has been released, with locals asked to pick their favourite. But the complicated online voting system has prompted some cheeky responses.
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Voting has started in the marathon search to find a name for public pool on the Mornington Peninsula.
Ratepayers and residents have been invited to place five short-listed names in order of preference via an online survey.
But even the simple process of voting for a name has been complicated.
The survey has lengthy explanations of each name and examples of how it could be used in conversation including lines such as ‘I’m heading to Gunawarra for a swim. I’ll bring you back a coffee’.
Voters must also allocate votes to every name suggested rather than just picking their favourite, and provide a reason for their choice.
The name with the most votes will go back to Mornington Peninsula Council for final approval.
The shortlisted names were chosen from more than 400 community suggestions by an expert panel during an exhaustive six-month naming strategy that cost about $50,000.
The options include three indigenous titles – Gunawarra Aquatic Centre, Yawa Aquatic Centre and Barbawar Aquatic Centre – as well as Rosebud Aquatic Centre and Tides Aquatic Centre.
An unofficial community poll started on Facebook has Rosebud Aquatic Centre as the clear front runner today – 118 votes – ahead of Gunawarra Aquatic Centre on 14 votes.
Pooly McPoolface has been added to the poll, garnering three votes.
Another cheeky suggestion – BABS Bikinis and Budgie Smugglers — is yet to attract a vote.
The council’s survey followed a costly decision to defer a final decision on the name.
Staff had recommended Gunawarra Aquatic Centre based on community consultation and advice from a branding company.
Councillors instead decided to add Rosebud and Tides to the mix and see more public input.
Angry ratepayers branded the move an “appalling waste of money”.
Cr David Gill said the delay would add two months to the project timeline and cost ratepayers at least $200,000.
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“The calling for more consultation came about because some councillors seemed to believe that they would not get the name they wanted,” he said.
Cr Gill is in favour of an indigenous name for the pool.
All Aboriginal names included in the shortlist were endorsed by the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung Traditional Owners.
The vote closes on Thursday, July 9.