Sydney Pools
Sydney’s a city famous for its opera house and harbour bridge, but it’s also home to some very cool swimming pools. From sandstone beauties to slatted concrete sanctuaries, there’s something for everyone. And with the hotter summers and more people on the move, pool owners in the city have been putting their pool renovation plans into overdrive.
The problem is, many of these new pools are more expensive than the old ones – and they are also often plagued by cost blowouts, delays and design criticism. One of the worst is North Sydney Olympic Pool, where a $64 million revamp has been mired in controversy. “The project has had every problem you can imagine,” says mayor Zoe Baker. “Cost blowouts, delays, heritage concerns, design issues.”
The pool is expected to reopen in mid-October, after being closed for six months because of a bacterial infection and a water quality crisis. But the damage has been done.
In the meantime, the public pools that remain are being hit hard by declining government funding. Many of them are struggling to maintain a level of service that’s acceptable to the community, let alone keep up with the cost of running them. Some have even been shut altogether. Parramatta in western Sydney, for example, lost its local pool last year when it was shut to make way for a new stadium. But the Berejiklian government has promised to build a like-for-like replacement at a cost of $30m, and that will be completed by December 2020.
If you’re thinking of building a pool, it’s important to know the rules and regulations in your area. You can find more information about the laws in your area by contacting your local council, or consulting with a reputable pool builder. If you’re planning to do any building work that costs more than $5,000, the law requires that you use a licensed builder. Make sure to ask your builder for their licence, and that the name on the license matches up with the person you contract with for the work.
Swimming pools are popular in Sydney, but it’s important to understand the rules and regulations that apply. The most important rule is that your pool must meet the safety standards set by NSW. This includes having a fence that is at least 1.2 metres tall from the ground, and a gate that opens away from the pool. It’s also a good idea to check with your council about whether any trees on your property are protected by preservation orders that would prevent you from cutting them down to build your pool. You should also consider solar heating for your Sydney pool, as it’s a great way to save energy while keeping your pool warm.