Green light for $43.5M North Sydney Olympic Pool redevelopment
The controversial major redevelopment of North Sydney Olympic Pool has been given the green light.
North Shore
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The controversial major redevelopment of North Sydney Olympic Pool has been approved.
Plans for the redevelopment include constructing a new 50m eight lane pool, water play area, 900-seat grandstand and upgrades to the existing 25m pool.
It would also feature sundecks, an expanded gymnasium, shops, new cafes and a restaurant.
The North Sydney Planning Panel approved the redevelopment of the pool with four in favour (Peter Debnam, Julie Savet Ward, Sue Francis and Kevin Alker) and one against, Ken Robinson.
In their reasons for the decision, the panel “accepted” council’s advice that the existing concrete structure was in a “poor condition” with a history of “reported significant leaks” at the 50m pool and children’s pool.
It also stated that the grandstand needed to be updated if it were to hold more major events such as swimming carnivals.
“The poor condition of these structures is such that redevelopment of the pool facility is required to enable it to continue to provide recreational facilities for the community.”
The panel said it also had “concern” with the lack of shade over the children’s pool yet the applicant said there will be increased shade “generally” in the new development including two indoor pools and the possibility of a new shade structure over the children’s pool.
The panel stated the redevelopment was in the “public interest” and balanced concerns of heritage to those of improving the facility for the future.
The Sydney North Planning Panel meeting began on Wednesday but had to be taken behind closed doors due to protesters disrupting the hearing.
At Wednesday’s session, North Sydney Council said the overdue works would address structural woes at the site including corrosion in the grandstand and pool structures that required “immediate replacement” to bring up to safe standards.
Yet critics argued the redevelopment would decimate historic elements of the 84-year-old site – a view backed up by external heritage consultants over concerns the new entrance and shade sails would “dominate” original structures of the site.
Public feedback also included objections to the 40 per cent reduction in the size of the existing 1500-seat grandstand, potential parking impacts on Luna Park, criticism over the “excessive cost” of the project and concerns the new warm water pool would be “too hot for aqua classes”.
Mayor Jilly Gibson said, “It’s well documented that people who are dissatisfied complain while those who are satisfied don’t speak up.”
“The demographics of North Sydney are changing and the pool needs to change with them to provide a facility that meets the needs of our growing community. Without renovation the pool will soon need to close its doors.”