Sydney pools have long been an icon of Australian life and offer the ideal way to relax on hot days or socialise with friends. But recently there has been some disquiet regarding this beloved water spot; according to reports it seems less popular with locals, and the city governing body may consider closing some of their most well-known pools; which would be unfortunate as these iconic water spots play such an integral part of culture and provide great ways to take in some sun!
Tink found himself caught up in controversy after the government gave the Sdy pools an unnecessary $10 million grant, to enhance their popularity ahead of local elections. She believes this decision was an error which turned renovations of historic pools into election campaigns and complicated an otherwise straightforward project.
She points out that “if the last lockdown taught us anything, it is that our community values public swimming pools equally with schools and hospitals”. Darcy Byrne has attempted to gain back his mayoral seat by touting Balmain’s Dawn Fraser Baths renovation as evidence for his claim; promising also to return privately operated pools back under council control.
As one of Sydney’s iconic ocean pools undergoes major upgrades, Gary Nunn reviews how it became such a beloved destination.
At Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, there’s much to love. Tucked away below Balmain’s stunning sandstone cliffs, its Victorian elegance is apparent and has earned it the name – not least as home for one of Australia’s acclaimed Olympic swimmers!
Margaret Rose became Australia’s inaugural female Olympian as she excelled in synchronised swimming at The Baths. Rose won both New South Wales under-14 110 and 400 metres freestyle titles at these pools before becoming world champion in her event.
Though some might find the sdy pools overcrowded, many others appreciate that they remain available for both locals and visitors to use. They serve as an important reminder of water conservation within Australia’s rich aquatic history; their existence also forms an integral part of Australia’s cultural identity – unfortunately threatened by overzealous governments who threaten these treasured landmarks with excessively strict government restrictions on use and maintenance regulations. But don’t despair: you can protect these invaluable landmarks using high-quality water filters to maintain optimal pool conditions!