Waverley Council has this month voted to investigate options for resurfacing Sydney's famous Bronte Pool to make it safer for swimmers and better equipped to withstand hazardous surf conditions.
Council will investigate the appropriateness and cost effectiveness of reverting to the original style of pool surface of lime as well as other surfaces suitable to the hostile ocean environment and flexible enough to accommodate natural movement of the pool.
Waverley Mayor, Paula Masselos, said Council had spent considerable time, effort and money on resurfacing the pool to ensure it operates and is maintained at a level that is appropriate given its popularity and is safe to use.
"We look forward to receiving a report from officers outlining their findings and options on how best to proceed," Mayor Masselos said.
"Bronte Pool is one of our most treasured and loved destinations in Waverley and is a key location on the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk which is visited by millions of people each year."
The pool was last resurfaced in 2016 and large pieces of the pool surface have since lifted as a result of the constant movement of the pool.
At the July Council meeting, Council resolved:
That Council:
1. Notes that:
(a) There has been considerable time, effort and money spent on resurfacing Bronte Pool to ensure it operates and is maintained at a level that is appropriate given its popularity and is safe to use.
(b) The last major pool resurfacing occurred in 2016, which saw the pool closed for over five weeks.
(c) Large pieces of the surface of the pool have lifted as a result of the constant movement of the pool.
(d) Sections of the pool floor and wall, and the steps at the top of the pool, have lifted creating sharp edges, which also pose a hazard to swimmers and other users of the pool.
(e) The old lime lining of Bronte Pool appeared to weather well and accommodate the ongoing pool movements.
(f) Officers make safe any sharp edges as required each time the pool is emptied for cleaning.
2. Officers:
(a) Continue to make safe the Bronte Pool surfaces as necessary.
(b) Investigate:
(i) The appropriateness and cost effectiveness of reverting to the original style of pool surface of lime.
(ii) Other suitable surfaces that are able to withstand a hostile ocean environment and are flexible enough to accommodate the movement of the pool.
(c) Advise of potential costs and budget allocation.
3. Receives a report outlining findings and options on how to proceed.
Bronte Pool was built and opened to the public in 1887 as Bronte Sea Baths and is classified by the Historic Trust as having significant heritage value.
It was the training ground for Olympic swimmers Fanny Durak (gold medal- Stockholm 1912) and Mina Wylie (silver medal- Stockholm 1912), as well as generations of local children.
