Whether you want to imagine yourself in an old-school coming-of-age film or simply take a dip, there’s nothing quite like a sidney pool. These ocean pools are where Australians go to get their summer swim, and they’ve been a beloved feature of our landscape for two centuries. But now, many are in danger of disappearing as city councils cut their funding and the state government axes its maintenance budgets.
It’s not just the sand and surf that makes them so appealing, but the sweeping views and sense of place. Unlike the salty sea lashed to the rocks and strewn with urchins in beachside pools, the water at these urban swim spots is fresh, chemical-free, and heated to just-right temperature.
They’re also accessible, often within walking distance of home. As a result, they’re the perfect antidote to the urban heat island effect. But they’re also a cultural treasure, a reminder of a time when we didn’t live as sustainably and were less concerned about the environmental impacts of our actions.
So, it’s no surprise that, when the City of Sydney announced its plans to rip out half of its 6 outstanding aquatic centres, a storm of protest erupted.
“It’s a total betrayal of public trust,” says Greens senator and former mayor Linda Burney, who argued that the pools were “a gift to the community”. “The idea that we can’t maintain these iconic swimming pools is just crazy.”
In fact, a recent poll found that more than 80% of locals supported keeping Maccallum pool. The pool has been a favourite among Cremorne residents since the 1920s and its white picket fence, timber deck, and crowded change rooms make it one of the most Instagrammable corners of Sydney Harbour. Its shabbiness is part of its charm, and its retiling would have cost far less than the $80 million the City is spending on the rest of its pools.
But it’s not just the cost that’s raising hackles, it’s how the project has been managed. Tink Baker, a Greens councillor on the City’s planning and environment committee, argues that the project was mismanaged from the start. She points out that the original $28m budget was only a “rough estimate” and that the size of the task has now swelled to $60m, beyond what the council can afford to do.
The City’s mayor, Clover Moore, denies this charge. She argues that the work was always going to be expensive and that it was the community’s preference to spend more on improving their pools, including the installation of new playground equipment, a retractable roof, and improved accessibility. But, while she concedes that the City’s priorities have changed, she maintains that the community’s wishes were always taken into account. This is why she’s supporting the retention of the pool in its current form and is urging the state government to reconsider the cuts. “We need a sustainable plan that protects our precious waterways, and the community’s right to have access to a safe, affordable and accessible pool,” she says.