The restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths can now proceed without delay after Heritage NSW dismissed a request for an Interim Heritage Order from a local community group.
This type of order is lodged to protect items (places and objects) of heritage significance that are under immediate threat.
If successful, it provides up to a 12-month period where the place cannot be harmed while an in-depth heritage assessment is carried out for listing on an appropriate register.
In making the decision, Heritage NSW noted that the Newcastle Ocean Baths construction is similar to that of all State Heritage-listed baths and said the construction method of pool floors for these types of ocean baths, such as sand, concrete or rock, is not integral to the heritage values for ocean baths in the state.
In a statement, City of Newcastle said it had been “determined that there was no threat to the heritage values of Newcastle Ocean Baths in undertaking the works to renew the pool and promenades”.
“The City hopes Heritage NSW’s decision to refuse the Interim Heritage Order brings an end to the continual stunts and misinformation by the group Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths who have for more than two years attempted to prevent this much-needed upgrade from occurring,” a spokesperson said.
“As [we have] repeatedly made clear, the edge of the pool must be raised due to rising sea levels. Unless this happens, the Baths will be excessively battered during ocean storms and simply won’t survive another 100 years.
“Without concreting the rock floor that currently exists at the Newcastle Oceans Baths, the increase in the height of the pool edge would make it too deep for most people to be able to walk the Newcastle Ocean Baths.
“By placing a relatively thin concrete base over the rock floor, the existing depth of the pool can be retained.”
They reassured the public the increased height would not have any impact on the sand’s ability to flow in from the ocean – pool users will still be able to walk on the sandy bottom as they have for the past 100 years.
“If for some reason there was a delay in sufficient sand flowing into the pool, the City has already committed that it will transport sand to the pool floor,” the spokesperson said.
For stage one of the upgrade, the council worked closely with the community to develop the design.
“We look forward to completing the stage one work next year and to handing back to the community an oceans baths that exists for benefit of our entire community,” they said.
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