‘Any other city in Europe would die to have what we’ve got here’: Kon Vatskalis to propose Lameroo Baths development to potential interstate investors

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis will pitch plans for the Lameroo Baths development to potential interstate investors. It comes after Territorians expressed their desire for ocean pools in an NT News survey.

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DARWIN Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis will pitch plans for the Lameroo Baths development to potential interstate investors, as Territorians voice their desire for idyllic, year-round ocean swimming.

Mr Vatskalis said bringing the baths to life was one his key priorities and he would be presenting a proposal to investors with “real money” and “real ability to build something big”.

“We approached them already once and they had a lot of interest and that’s why we’re going to talk to them in more detail,” he said.

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It comes after the NT News revealed the top 10 ‘big ideas’ as suggested by readers to transform the Territory.

Ocean baths was one of the most suggested ideas, with readers saying Darwin should become “the ocean pools swim centre of the world”.

Mr Vatskalis said for the baths to have wider economic and tourism benefits, it would need to be part of a wider precinct under the Esplanade, similar to Darwin Waterfront.

“We put a rock wall and go 100 metres inside the sea, raise it significantly so crocodiles can’t jump in,” he said.

A proposal to reinstate the Lameroo Baths at Lameroo Beach on Darwin's Esplanade is gaining momentum. Picture: Che Chorley

“Go all the way from the (Westin hotel site) to Doctors Gully, and that will help us have green areas and space for emergency vehicles.

“There will be food, it will have a beach, and it will have retail, restaurants, bars, even a hotel. It can be overlooking the ocean, and walk straight from the Esplanade, with a bridge on top or below.

“We’re really going gung-ho to develop these ocean baths because there’s a history there.

“Any other city in Europe would die to have what we’ve got here.”

The baths came back into conversation in October 2020 when Mr Vatskalis revealed he would pitch the development vision to Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission co-chairman Andrew Liveris.

While Mr Vatskalis did not say when he would be speaking with the interstate investors, he said he was confident there would be a positive outcome. Mr Vatskalis also supported readers’ ideas for Darwin to have a large water park and a surfing precinct but said it would require a partnership between government and private industry.