The City of Newcastle has unveiled its final-stage designs for the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade after fielding “passionate” community feedback on the facility’s future over the last six months.
The planned redesign, unveiled by Newcastle lord mayor Gavin Morris on Tuesday evening, includes layout changes that will make it more open and easier to move around, while still maintaining privacy options for children, families, and vulnerable people.
Accessible amenities and the Changing Places facility have been moved to the southern pavilion to be closer to accessible parking and the pool ramp.
Family change rooms are now located through the southern and central pavilions. The community space has been trimmed to make room.
The pavilion’s roof was a major highlight. It’s been refined to balance openness, comfort, and privacy, while still giving bathers protection from the elements. Its design has been simplified, and it has a glazed finish that “floats” above the original building.
There will still be a café and kiosk at the southern end of the baths, as well, with plans to open slightly earlier for morning risers.
And the retention of several heritage elements was a major focus, to “provide a balance between preservation, functionality, and expectations.”
“The Newcastle Ocean Baths are a much-loved part of our city, so it’s only natural that people have passionate views about their future,” Cr Morris said.
“Newcastle Ocean Baths belong to us all. Ask any Novocastrian about them, and you’ll get a story. They’re more than a swimming pool.
“They are a part of our history, our coastline, and our identity.”
Cr Morris said he had been happy to see so much feedback on the proposals, while City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said they had looked through many designs before settling on one that drew on a concept from the Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths. Heritage experts and the Urban Design Review Panel were also involved in the update.
“While there have been different ideas and approaches considered… there’s a strong shared vision for what the future of the baths can be,” Mr Bath said.
“We all want to see the heritage of this much-loved place respected, better access for the community, and facilities that will serve Newcastle well into the future.
“We believe the amended design gives us a practical way forward, moving this long-awaited project towards construction and delivering the improvements the community has been waiting for.”
Council is now working to have the development application approved before the detailed design stage runs through most of next year.
A tender for construction will then be awarded in mid-2028.
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