As Sydney temperatures approach 40s, locals will flock to Sydney’s iconic ocean pools to cool off in the water and soak up some sun. But behind-the-scenes, Sydney’s swimming culture is complex and fraught with controversy.
Australia has had a deep-seated love affair with ocean pools for two centuries. From convict-carved “bogey holes” in Newcastle to council pools in western suburbs, we love swimming! As Jordan Baker writes in her new book however, our love of these aquatic bodies comes with complications.
One major challenge posed by private pool ownership is access. Some private owners use their pools only for exclusive family and friend use while others open them to the public or limit access only during certain days of the week or areas of a specific region or day of the week. Compounding these issues further is that pool industries (including privately owned ones ) tend to be heavily unionised.
Many of these pools were constructed over 100 years ago using outdated construction techniques that make them vulnerable to ocean waves and currents, making them even more susceptible to swells than modern sea structures. Furthermore, recent beach erosion trends and climate change only compound these concerns further.
Due to rising maintenance costs associated with older pools, some are calling upon the government to reconsider its approach to pool building. While there may be many solutions proposed to address this problem, their implementation might never happen due to political inertia between levels of government and local authorities.
Even as pool enthusiasts have successfully pressured local councils to reopen historic pools, swimming has often been compromised due to infighting and pork-barrelling among councillors. Tink cites Woolloomoo pool as an example of this issue; saving it only due to a $10m pre-election grant from a federal fund meant for regional and remote women’s sports.
Baker remains confident that swimming pools remain integral parts of Sydney life despite any hurdles they might present, particularly locations such as Mount Druitt pool in Parkland which serves as a venue for music events and offers more than simply sun and swimming. He also visited one in Western Sydney where asylum seekers regularly come together to vent some steam.
As you plan to install a swimming pool in your backyard or enjoy Sydney’s beaches, it is important to remember there are specific regulations in place when building them. Your home building compensation insurance should cover any potential damages during construction; in addition, professional assistance should be sought in order to make sure that it complies with NSW safety standards.