Three popular pools on northern beaches being replaced
Lovers of saltwater swimming are in for a treat with three of the northern beaches’ most popular pools being revamped.
Manly
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Three of the northern beaches’ most popular swimming spots are undergoing massive renovations in time for next summer.
As part of Northern Beaches Council’s Tidal Pool Renewal Project, the saltwater pools at Little Manly and Forty Baskets beaches are being replaced.
And on Middle Harbour, the swimming pool is being upgraded during stage one of the Clontarf Reserve Landscape Masterplan.
At Forty Baskets Beach at Balgowlah Heights, and Little Manly Beach the old timber piles and rusting steel “shark bars’ are being replaced with polyfibre netting.
The council is installing steel piles wrapped in black high-density Polyethylene (HDPE) with white painted timber rails at both pools.
This will maintain the heritage aesthetic, while requiring less maintenance, thereby prolonging the life of the tidal pools and minimising disturbance to the sea-bed.
“The pools will be enclosed with netting, instead of shark bars.”
At Little Manly the existing corner swim platform and the two stainless steel swim ladders will be replaced.
Timber access stairs and tidal steps will be replaced at Forty Baskets.
The pools will be enclosed with a polyfibre sea net to replace the previous steel shark bars.
“By using a more durable material, we will be reducing the risk of disturbing marine vegetation, causing turbidity and sedimentation as well as potential impacts to protected and endangered species such as sea horses, sea dragons, pipe fish, pipe horses, ghost pipefish and sea moths,” a spokesman said.
Construction is expected to be finished by September, weather permitting.
Excavators have been digging at Clontarf Reserve as part of works to build a new sandstone seawall and tiered seating at the beach.
There will also be an accessible ramp to the pool and an outdoor shower
Work will start in the second half of the year to upgrade the playground. A refresh of the existing toilet facilities is scheduled in the first half of next year.