Community rejects Bondi-style ocean bath developments for Newcastle and Merewether
A complete overhaul of the Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Baths could see restaurants, cafes, community and recreational facilities occupy the space.
Newcastle
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There’s big plans for the iconic Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Bath pavilions.
A complete overhaul in the future could see restaurants, cafes, community facilities such as a gym, maybe also even a conference centre occupy the space.
It’s all part of the City of Newcastle’s vision for the much-loved spaces, as they call for expressions of interest (EOI) to rejuvenate and redevelop the facilities.
But, the one condition on proposals, the baths must always remain free public assets.
The call-out has come as a bit of a surprise for some residents who believe there are alternative options for restoring both pavilions that wouldn’t be based on a model of private investment.
While the council has released concept images of a modernistic type pavilion, there’s questions being raised as to whether this goes too far.
Jessica Miller, who set up Save Our Ocean Baths petition on change.org, said she grew up swimming at both ocean baths and has concerns about the process, given there was no community consultation.
“We believe our public assets deserve to be treated with respect and maintained in the way they are currently loved and enjoyed by Novocastrians,” she said.
“Newcastle City Council and the NSW Government have continued to use privatisation as a way of solving their funding issues, and based on their actions, do not seem to have any interest in protecting the unique vistas and built heritage of this town.
“They’re free public open spaces, very spacious and offer a beautiful connection to the ocean, a safe play to swim.
“They’re no Bondi, they’re not these over developed coastlines and I’m convinced people love Newcastle for the reason that it’s not full of a developed coastline.”
Ms Miller feels if the majority of space is dominated or used by private operators, it will change the feeling of accessibility.
“There will be a lot of community that won’t be able to access some of the newly planned sites because of the cost and potentially won’t want to use the baths,” she added.
“If businesses want to bring in a lot more customers, what’s going to happen to the tight parking that is already a big problem.
“It is a bit irresponsible to have gone down this path without talking to the community to what alternatives they might suggest, find out the cost of a more modest refurbishment and see how we can fund it.
“While it’s probably a financially responsible thing to consider private dollars for certain things in the community, this has been mooted by Council as their top asset priority to maintain and upgrade, so you’d think they’d consider how to fund this and not go to this band aid solution.
“It reduces the public space to a tiny footprint.”
Newcastle Ocean Bath’s iconic art deco exterior is proposed to be retained in any redevelopment, while new public change rooms, disabled access, carparking, new seating, shading and other community facilities will be mandatory inclusions at both sites.
As well as reinvigorating the baths precincts, the final outcomes will promote access to the Bathers Way, preserve views from lifeguard/first aid rooms and provide swimmers year-round protection from prevailing winds.
“Redevelopment is an exciting opportunity to rejuvenate and enhance public assets by capitalising on Newcastle’s unprecedented growth in a long-term partnership with the city,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The City is committed to improving public and community spaces along our coastline, and a commercial partnership could allow us to significantly enhance and manage these precious facilities in a financially responsible way.”
Close to 6000 square metres of space is up for grabs at the 1922-built Newcastle Ocean Baths and 2200 at the Merewether pavilion, under leases of up to 21 years.
City of Newcastle Infrastructure Director Ken Liddell said councillors had made this a No. 1 infrastructure priority.
“Our staff have spent the past six months developing the EOI, as well as resolving a number of potential issues that exist because the baths sit on crown land,” he said.
“All issues have been resolved and we are now able to take the projects to the market.”
The EOI will be followed by a tender process for a short list before a lease is signed.
Expressions of Interest close December 17.
In the meantime, Ms Miller is urging all residents who feel strongly about the redevelopments to get involved and advocate with council for an alternative option.