Plan for public swimming pool on the Yarra River at Enterprize Park revived

A PLAN to build a huge floating public pool on the Yarra River near Melbourne Aquarium has been revived. But what about the quality of the water?

A PLAN to build a huge public pool complex on the Yarra River at a key CBD location has been revived.

Backers say the idea would activate the underused Enterprize Park precinct, near Melbourne Aquarium, by creating a popular inner city attraction.

Initially, the northbank pool would not use river water but this could change if the quality of the Yarra’s water improved.

A stage one concept plan by Yarra Pools includes a 25m floating pool, fishing pontoon, floating wetlands, events kiosk, cafe and changing facilities.

PLAN TO USE YARRA RIVER FOR DAILY COMMUTE

THE YARRA RIVER’S MURKY PAST

The concept includes a floating pool, fishing pontoon and other recreational facilities. Picture: Yarra Pools

Yarra Pools spokesman Michael O’Neill said the pool itself would cost about $8 million, but the final plan may include a number of pools and facilities like spas and saunas.

“We want to design something that is flexible and adaptable, and that’s actually used throughout the year as well,” he said.

“With the pool you could also incorporate some kind of bike path or some kind of other way to get around, or at least draw people down to this part of the river.”

First flagged in early 2016, the concept will now be assessed by dozens of potential user groups and a business case developed through RMIT design studios early next year.

The turning basin site is historic as the place where Melbourne’s European founders first arrived in 1835, near a waterfall that separated fresh from saltwater at today’s Queens Bridge.

Enterprize Park is a historic but underused site on the north bank of the Yarra River. Picture: Nicole Garmston

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It was a popular swimming spot in early Melbourne and is positioned on the widest part of the Yarra, so clear of boat traffic.

Mr O’Neill said it was possible entry could be free depending on government and community support, such as Life Saving Victoria providing volunteer services.

“People might pay to run swim schools down there, or pay to put on major events, or there might be a cafe where the rent goes into the operating costs of the pool,” he said.

Yarra Pools is a non-profit group run by individuals, and supported by collaborators including Yarra Riverkeepers, Yarra Projects, Studio Octopi and technical adviser Arup.

yarrapools.com

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@JMasanauskas