Malabar Ocean Pool: Community divided over Randwick Council’s $2.15m toilet block plans

Plans for a $2m toilet block at one of Sydney’s most spectacular ocean pools is one step closer, despite the proposal dividing locals who fear it could lead to a surge of backpackers and overnight campers.

Concept design of the $2.15 million Malabar Ocean Pool Amenities. Photo: Randwick Council

A $2.15m amenities building earmarked for a “much-loved” rock pool is one step closer, despite concerns from some Malabar residents concern it could lead to backpackers becoming a “public nuisance”.

Randwick Council has devised a concept design which would see two unisex toilets, two unisex change cubicles, one unisex accessible toilet and change area introduced at the Malabar Ocean Pool. It would also include accessible parking, bike racks and service areas.

Council officers recommended councillors to note the concept design, cost and location of the project at a recent council meeting. After it was supported, the proposal has proceeded to community consultation.

The consultation period runs until June 26 and residents are asked to review the concept plan before voting on whether they support the proposal or not.

Before the council meeting, councillor Noel D’Souza shared his concerns over the plans.

“Many locals have expressed their views that any amenities built … will lead to campers and backpackers staying overnight and becoming a public nuisance,” Mr D’Souza said.

Former Randwick Mayor Noel D'Souza opposes the proposal. Picture: supplied.

“I was handed a petition of close to 500 signatures of locals claiming that this was an unnecessary waste of council funds. After a close examination of the concept design and listening to the locals, I am strongly of the view this project should not proceed.”

Mr D’Souza lost a notice of motion opposing construction of the toilet block last July, which cited the petition which garnered about 467 signatures.

In an email from Elizabeth Lloyd, the petition’s organiser, she outlined the “core users of the rock pool” were strongly against the “unnecessary and unwanted amenity”.

“People tend to stay at the pool a short while, but because there is not much space, an amenities block will encourage people to stay longer and further limit access for other members of the community,” the email states.

“This was already a problem … with visitors setting up tarps and tents by the pool to ‘camp’ there for long periods of time … we were active in cleaning pollution from the pool and garbage left behind by the ‘picnickers’.”

However, council documents reveal 70 per cent of respondents in a survey held between July to August 2020 were in favour of the project which would solve a key problem of convenience.

People camping at Malabar Ocean Pool. Picture: supplied

Malabar Rock Pool today. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Currently the closes facilities for pool goers are at Randwick Golf Club when available, or at nearby Cromwell Park.

Council officers state how the need for “careful balance” was a significant factor in the design process, with the building to be “modest in size, [to] minimise view impacts and [be] sympathetic to the environment”.

A number of locations were considered but the chosen site was at the southern portion of the existing lower car park, near the golf club.

If constructed, a total of eight parking spaces will be lost to accommodate the proposed facilities.

Showers were not included in designs as it “would significantly increase the size” of the facility, and were already available at the pool deck.

According to documents, the project would “enhance the use of the site”, inviting parents with young children and for people with mobility challenges, given the Malabar Ocean Pool is “one of the few pools along the coast with step-free access”.