One of Sydney’s most popular ocean pools has been closed for more than a month after leaks in the wall were discovered.
Specialist contractors are undertaking urgent maintenance work at Wylie’s Baths in Coogee to repair multiple leaks on the northern wall of the ocean pool. The exact number of leaks is unknown.
The heritage-listed pool will be closed until December 4. Swimmers will have no access to the downstairs pool deck during the closure, but the upstairs deck and kiosk area remain open. An independent trust operates the pool year-round.
Zahli Webber has lived in Coogee her entire life but has never swum at Wylie’s Baths – Thursday was meant to be the first time.
Webber “wasn’t too bothered” despite not knowing about the closure, and said her Plan B would be to swim at McIver’s Ladies Baths 300 metres away.
A Wylie’s Baths staff member said repairing the leaks was crucial because there was the possibility that the pool would not have enough water during low tide if it was leaking, posing a risk to swimmers.
A water pump has been lifted on-site to assist with maintenance works. Workers plan to drill more than 20 holes along the impacted wall, and fill them with grout to plug the leaks.
While councils frequently undertake maintenance and upkeep of Sydney’s ocean pools, experts say the temporary closure of Wylie’s Baths underscored a citywide problem of ageing infrastructure .
Sydney has more than 30 ocean pools – from Palm Beach to Cronulla – and most were built more than 100 years ago.
“Repairs have to be done whenever it [damage] occurs, as quickly as possible,” coastal engineer James Carley said.
“As they’re such a beloved community asset, people get really upset when they are out of action. Expectations are very high, but if it gets damaged, there’s really no alternative but to repair it.”
A Randwick City Council spokesperson said it was important that work proceeded as planned.
“If the repairs were postponed, the pool would need to close at every low tide throughout the summer period for safety reasons, significantly affecting public access and enjoyment during the busiest time of the year,” they said.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding while these essential repairs are undertaken.”
Nicole Larkin, a coastal architect and designer specialising in ocean pools, said Sydney was lucky to be able to enjoy so many.
“But any asset – even a concrete pavement – has cracks in it over time, so it’s not surprising that in the most exposed and harsh environment right on the coast, that it would happen to ocean pools too,” she said.
Yuin woman Mary Goslett moved from the Blue Mountains to Coogee to be near the ocean. She has swum at Wylie’s Baths almost every day for the past 10 years.
“I’m a saltwater woman – you’ll have desert people and river people, but saltwater people long to be near the coast,” she said.
“I’m so disappointed it’s closed, but it’s getting fixed. It is the ultimate privilege to live here, as if I could whinge about it.”
Wylie’s Baths dates back to 1907. It was built by Henry Wylie, whose daughter Mina and her friend Fanny Durack were Australia’s first female Olympic swimmers. The pair won silver and gold medals, respectively, at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.
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