Coogee Pool stands out as an idyllic cliff-side setting and would make an excellent addition to Sydney’s beautiful beaches. Built by Henry Alexander Wylie – a champion swimmer and underwater diver who constructed it in 1907 – Coogee also includes Wedding Cake Island Tidal Pools and McIver’s Ladies Baths (Australia’s only ocean pool solely dedicated to female swimmers).
However, this project has been beset with council infighting, pork-barrelling and lack of transparency, with heritage concerns and public health experts rallying against it and pushing its opening date back to 2025. “All our community wanted was a pool,” states independent federal member and North Sydney councillor Kylea Tink.
Australia sees more than 333m visits annually to publicly accessible aquatic centers, with many visits made to pools like that planned for Port Macquarie. Yet western suburbs – in council areas including Parramatta, Penrith Hills Shire and Blacktown – remain relatively poorly served with aquatic centers – only having one pool for every 178,960 residents.
Sydney public pools currently cost an average of $10 to use during peak times – an outrage when one considers that both Melbourne and Brisbane city councils provide free swimming for residents throughout the year – year round in Melbourne’s case, or at off-peak times in Brisbane’s. Greens councillor Matthew Thompson is calling upon Sydney City Council to review whether making its public pools accessible free to everyone regardless of income would be financially sustainable.
Children and the elderly are especially at risk when swimming in sdy pools, with children particularly at risk from drowning and tripping risks due to being open to the sea and having colder waters than expected; especially during winter when temperatures average 12 degrees Celsius.
As such, anyone considering purchasing a pool should partner with experienced Sydney Pool Designers to create the ideal family-friendly pool. They will create something beautiful yet easy to maintain that will remain safe. Furthermore, they can advise you on suitable fencing to suit your needs as well as advice regarding Australian native landscaping or other finishing touches – pick up our guide Sydney Pool + Outdoor Design from your local newsagency now for further insight!
