Dawn Fraser Baths: Mayor says harbour tunnel could ruin pool

A Sydney mayor has warned that dredging for the construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel could render the freshly reopened Dawn Fraser Baths unsafe.

The mayor of the Inner West will tell a parliamentary inquiry today the Western Harbour Tunnel project would ruin Australia’s oldest swimming pool the Dawn Fraser Baths at Balmain.

Newly elected mayor Rochelle Porteous is expected to present a raft of problems to the committee looking into the impact of the tunnel and the Beaches Link over “toxic” concerns about the multi-billion dollar projects.

“There has been a lot of media in recent days about the much loved Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, but what has gone largely under the radar is that the Western Harbour Tunnel could make the baths unusable,” Mayor Porteous said.

Mayor Porteous said the inner west already went through “hell and back”

“The Western Harbour Tunnel construction plans include dredging contaminated sediment from the harbour floor. Toxic plume from this sediment will most likely escape into the harbour where it will impact on dog walkers, fishers and swimmers, including users of Dawn Fraser Baths.”

Cr Porteous said the inner west had already “gone through hell and back” with the WestConnex project which faced massive pushback from locals who say their lives have been severely impacted by the construction.

The tunnel project is reportedly in dire straits after reports emerged today that the government still had not found a private partner to help complete it.

The pools officially opened again last week. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Nikki Short

Another speed bump is the government’s looming court battle with the Balmain Leagues Club, who they have still yet to secure an agreement with to use the land as a dirt dump.

“Consultation and process for this project has been poor,” Cr Porteous said.

“For example, despite the catastrophic impact the Western Harbour Tunnel could have on the baths, this was not even included in the Reference Study and the Environment Impact Statement.

“Our community has gone through hell and back with WestConnex. So when the only benefit the Government can come up with is a two minute saving in travel time, you have to ask why they are pushing ahead with this project.

“We have been saying for years that this mega motorway will not address congestion – it will add to it.”

The upper house committee will begin its hearings today and has two further hearing dates lined up for September 17 and 27.