If you’re looking to install a swimming pool in Sydney, it can be difficult to understand all the pricing considerations. From the initial investment to ongoing maintenance, there are many factors to consider. However, by educating yourself on the prices of different pools, you can make an informed decision that is best for your family. Here are some of the main costs to take into account when planning your Sydney pool budget.
The beachside enclave of Coogee is the insider’s Bondi. It boasts fewer tourists, calmer surf and several rock pools. It also offers a clothing-optional McIver’s Ladies Baths, where genders first mixed in 1911. Walk a little further and you’ll come across Wylie’s Baths, built below high-tide level and flushed by the sea twice daily.
In fact, the city’s iconic ocean pools date back to the late 19th century when recreational and competitive swimmers needed a place to practice laps away from strong waves and the risk of shark attacks. The NSW Amateur Swimming Association was formed by men’s clubs in 1891 and women’s clubs soon followed, says author and academic Marie-Louise McDermott. Then, by the end of the 20th century, they were a common sight along the city’s coastline.
Now, despite their history and beauty, they are in peril. North Sydney Olympic Pool, which will be the world’s largest when it reopens in 2025, is plagued by problems including infighting between councillors, claims of pork-barrelling and a lack of transparency. Its budget has blown out to more than $100m and the opening date has been delayed until 2025 at the earliest.
An independent review of the project by former chief executive of the NSW Public Sector Commission, Peter Cappell, found that North Sydney Council lacked experience in running major infrastructure projects and made poor choices that added to the cost. These included removing the external project managers, deciding to proceed with separate design and construct contracts and making false economies. The review recommended that the council appoint new management, introduce more scrutiny of expenditure and develop a plan for future capital works.
The report’s findings have been backed by a petition signed by more than 2,000 residents calling on council to halt spending on the project. A similar petition has been launched by the North Sydney Swimming Club, which has operated out of the site since it opened in 1928. It is urging council to put an end to the delays and start work on a long-term strategy for the pool. The group’s president, Chris Bowden, says the pool is worth saving because it is “an iconic symbol of North Sydney”. He adds that although the facility is a bit dated and rundown, it’s still a great spot for swimmers. The pool’s heritage-listed site is also home to the city’s oldest surf lifesaving club. He said the club would continue to operate the pool until it can be reopened safely. “It’s just a matter of time,” he said.