People may think of Sydney in terms of its opera house and bridge, but few realise its lesser-known distinction: hosting more ocean pools than any other city worldwide. These water bodies located along its surf coast offer swimmers an aquatic playground filled with bluebottles, seaweed, sharp rocks, slippery kelp, urchins and shells – not to mention being loved by locals as an exercise, relaxation and socialising hub!
Many iconic swim spots are receiving much-needed upgrades – with one of the world’s most stunning pools being at the forefront of an ongoing dispute. Due to infighting between councillors, allegations of pork-barrelling, heritage concerns and criticism from health organizations, and budget overruns, construction of this once world-renowned pool has run into major roadblocks; its projected opening date has now been postponed until 2025.
Photographers and other artists who have recently displayed images of wild swimming environments have drawn attention to the mutually respectful relationships these pools can foster with sea life, marine mammals, and people swimming within them. This has cemented the idea that pools form part of a wider natural and cultural landscape rather than isolated artificial spaces.
Swimming pools have long been seen as points of tension between communities and local governments who run and fund these projects, leading to often heated disputes and disagreements over who owns and manages the pools – between local council and state governments over whether pools should be public or private and their management methods.
The North Sydney Olympic Pool fiasco has brought to light the way governments often refuse to relinquish control of infrastructure projects to local communities. Similar arguments can be seen elsewhere across Australia; many community members feel frustrated over wasted time and money spent on projects they believe should have been given over to councils or businesses to manage instead.
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