Staff at the northern suburbs public pool allegedly discovered a number of holes in a wall overlooking the women's showers, police said.

The pool, on Walker Street, is operated by Wollongong City Council.

The 59-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and charged with five counts of peep and pry.

Wollongong City Council said in a statement that a staff member initially raised concerns about the man potentially breaching the council's code of conduct at the pool.

"Council immediately investigated the matter,”  the statement said.

“As a result, the staff member's employment with council was terminated and the matter reported to NSW Police and the Ombudsman.

“Council is confident that this is an isolated incident.”

The council would not say how long the staff member is alleged to have spied on women in the changing room, or how long ago he was dismissed. 

"As this is a police matter, council will not be providing further comment on the matter," the council said.

The Mercury understands the matter was discussed at a councillor briefing on March 29. 

The pool changing room was empty of women late Wednesday morning when the Mercury visited. 

The holes in the wall have since been closed up.

There is no obvious indication of where they used to be.

The room is divided from the women’s toilets by a very narrow room that is closed off to the public. 

A lone female swimmer at the pool said Helensburgh residents were shocked by news of the charges. 

“I’m glad that they got caught,” she said. 

“It’s a nice little community down here and you don’t feel safe.” 

The former pool employee was granted conditional police bail.

He is due to appear before Wollongong Local Court on May 17.