In a city known for its love of the water, many residents can’t afford to swim at home, and public swimming pools are a critical part of Sydney’s life. However, a recent article in the Australian reveals that our western suburbs are among Australia’s worst-served regions when it comes to pool access. Parramatta, Hills Shire and Blacktown have one publicly accessible aquatic centre for every 178,960 people, according to Guardian analysis of council data. It’s an issue that affects everyone, from families to the elderly. But it’s not just the western suburbs that are lacking in pool access – the whole of Australia is poorly served when it comes to public swimming facilities, with only six pools for every 100,600 people across Australia, according to an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report released last year.
The sdy pools
There is a feeling that the sdy pool is a monument to all that’s wrong with local government, argues Zoe Baker, the mayor of North Sydney and a former Labor councillor who voted against the project 23 times. The pool has been plagued by council infighting, claims of pork-barrelling and heritage concerns. The construction was delayed by a Covid pandemic and la Nina, while a PriceWaterhouseCoopers review of the project raised its estimated cost to more than $100m. Its opening date has been pushed back to late 2024 or early 2025.
The 10-lane pool is spacious, lined with sparkling white tiles and the kind of cement that marks your wet footsteps. Its temperature is a comfortable 26C, which feels just right to a group of teenagers bombing their way through the water. It’s not as deep as some of Sydney’s ocean pools, but it seems to be a good fit for the teenagers lining up to get their jog on.
A spokesman for the minister for local government, Ron Hoenig, says the redevelopment of the sdy pool is an example of how councils need to be careful about how major projects are funded and whether they’re in the community’s best interests. He adds that the council is addressing the issue “head on”.
While sdy pools are vital for our communities, they shouldn’t burn holes in your hip pocket or come at the expense of our planet. By choosing the right materials and ensuring regular maintenance, you can have a pool that is beautiful, functional, affordable and sustainable. To learn more, contact the experts at Sydney Poolscapes. They can help you turn your pool into a green oasis.