Every morning before surfers and soft sand runners hit the beach, swimmers with towels and goggles make their way through a sea of crashing waves to reach pockets of calm ocean water tamed by cold, salty pools carved into cliffs or seashore by swimming, floating and sitting – pilgrims to an almost 200 year-old love affair with these special pools dotted along the coastline or harbour’s edge that are loved and appreciated havens – however now face an existential threat that threatens their very existence:
Green and independent councillors on City, Lane Cove and Inner West councils believe that pool entry fees should be reduced, just like libraries are. They intend to move motions this week demanding such changes – similar to what has happened in Melbourne and Brisbane where pools have long been free all year and during off-peak hours for their local residents.
But the struggle of sandy pools to survive may also lie with changing attitudes and financial hurdles they encounter. At a time when coastal environments and planning approval processes require tighter scrutiny, our thinking has shifted significantly in their favor – leading to financial concerns being resolved faster by new standards than before.
Sydney’s beaches serve as an important reminder that their coastline has always been more than postcard-ready swimming spots; rather, they represent part of our heritage and history, providing habitat to both aquatic life as well as birds and wildlife that share our urban shorelines and make their home there.
Locals take great pride in the many swimming history-laden, community and belonging-building pools across Sydney, such as Bondi Icebergs which was opened in 1929 as a winter swimming club pool named for itself, making for one of the world’s most renowned ocean pools. Other iconic pools include Coogee Tidal Pools and Bronte Tidal Pools at Wylie’s Baths in Sydney CBD as well as McIver’s Ladies Baths which was established back in 1880.
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