Sydney is world renowned for its opera house and bridge, but this city also holds an unforgettable treasure: its collection of Sydney Pools. Carved out of headlands and filled with ocean water that often overflows its sides, these iconic swim spots are loved by both residents and visitors.
Natural pools differ from concrete ones in that they do not restrict swimming, allowing swimmers to freely enjoy them. Although jellyfish might wash in with the tide and sharks may swim amongst them, swim lanes are usually marked and it’s unlikely you’ll run into something unexpected like an enormous whale carcass during your morning dip.
New South Wales boasts over 100 ocean pools – known as “bogey holes” from their aboriginal roots – that offer welcome alternatives to harbour waters and beaches, offering much needed relief on hot days. While popular among Australians, they have increasingly come under threat due to budget and funding cuts from government.
Many pools are now in dire need of repair; some have even closed completely, with others kept open by volunteers’ efforts; however, significant sums of money are necessary in order to keep these pools operational; many people question if local councils have enough money or the resources available to keep their pools open.
Anxious pool enthusiasts must feel heartbroken at the thought of beloved swim spots being threatened by budgetary pressures, such as Kogarah War Memorial pool making a $650,000 loss last year despite its prime location framed by Harbour Bridge, Luna Park and even Luna Park’s smiling face itself – not forgetting 86 world records including Ian Frazer setting one for fastest individual metre-swim in 1985 at its Kogarah War Memorial pool alone!
budget cuts are having an effect beyond just pools themselves; local governments are being hit hard by property tax caps which limit how much they can increase rates, leading many of them to struggle financially while others fear other infrastructure will be sacrificed in favor of keeping pools open.
However, some courageous councillors are pushing back. Baker, from North Sydney council, has consistently opposed what she considers a bloated, costly vanity project for five years. She called upon the Ombudsman for investigation as she sought election to state seat 2022 – her argument being: it “is not my bread and butter to spend $60m on pools”. Baker isn’t alone either: across Sydney voters are questioning how their councils spend budgets; some pools like North Sydney Olympic are being saved while others may close down – potentially leaving people who like getting wet exposed.
