AusLeisure

The City of Bunbury is looking to build the only ocean pool in Western Australia, with Councillors voting this week to move forward with a $17.82-million plan for a 50-metre lap pool with an accessible ramp and a children's area.

Set to be the first ocean pool construction in Australia in 60 years, the new pool would replace Bunbury’s former saltwater pool, the Stillwater Baths, destroyed by a storm in the 1930s.

Backing the plan at a council meeting this week, City of Bunbury Councillor Cheryl Kozisek said it could be a turning point for the city by giving tourists "a reason to turn off the outer ring road and head into our beautiful city", stating “at last, (we're) putting something unique on our shoreline.

"I would like us to help put Bunbury on the map."

The potential location at Wyalup Rocky Point was first flagged as a potential location for an ocean pool almost a century ago but after the Great Depression in the 1930s, the idea was abandoned.

Subsequently, the idea of a new ocean pool has long been debated among community members and council alike.

Behind the push, which he sees as a tourism opportunity for the region, former Bunbury Councillor Todd Brown told the ABC “what would Bunbury have looked like if they'd actually gone through with that concept 120 years ago?

"Would it be like Bondi or could it be like St Kilda?"

The council plans to spend $5.94 million on the project and hopes to secure additional funds from Western Australian and Federal governments.

Ocean pools have a long history Australia, with the first ones dating back to the 19th century.

The City of Bunbury will now release a public consultation on the proposal.

Images: Concepts for the new ocean pool. Credit: City of Bunbury.

Related Articles

25th May 2023 - City of South Perth ends plan for ‘financially unfeasible’ aquatic and recreation centre

19th April 2023 - Western Australian Government commits new funds for WACA aquatic centre and ground renovations

15th June 2021 - Council moves forward with plan to revitalise Perth’s Cottesloe Beach

22nd May 2020 - Masterplan moves forward for Cottesloe foreshore

11th February 2020 - Backers of Cottesloe Beach redevelopment face unexpected response to design plans

20th March 2018 - Scarborough foreshore redevelopment gets official unveiling

11th December 2022 - Funding boost delivered for Perth’s first coastal pool at Ocean Reef Marina with EOI open for developer

17th August 2020 - Perth’s first coastal pool to be included in Ocean Reef Marina project

1st March 2019 - Coastal pools social media success leads to ongoing fatalities

24th January 2021 - Documentary looks to celebrate heritage of the ocean pools of Sydney’s Northern Beaches

12th January 2021 - Confusion over access for transgender women at Sydney ‘ladies-only’ ocean pool

26th March 2020 - Sunshine Coast Council closes holiday parks, play areas and ocean pools

6th September 2015 - Wanneroo City Council looks to develop ocean pool at Quinns Beach

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.