Wollongong City Council will shell out more than $1 million to repair and upgrade the deteriorating ocean pool at Wombarra beach.
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Staff have recommended councillors vote to accept a tender from Unanderra based company Dynamic Civil – which has worked on a number of Illawarra sea wall and boat ramp projects, at a cost of $1,019,642 excluding GST.
The work will involve the installation of new precast internal wall lining, extension of the existing sea wall and construction of a beach access ramp.
A report to councillors says the pool is in “desperate need of repair” due to its harsh environment, with staff noting the new ramp and extended seawall will protect the embankment and provide access for council’s maintenance crews.
The works will be the second stage of repairs for the Wombarra swimming hole, after part of the sea wall was replaced in 2015.
This earlier job cost more than $500,000.
Pools and aquatic services will continue to eat up a large chunk of the council’s budget over the next four years, with the council planning to invest $18.2 million into new infrastructure.
The includes the lifeguard operations at 17 patrolled beaches, eight public swimming pools, and the nine ocean pools.
Ocean rock pools, including the works at Wombarra, will require $5.3 million between 2018-2022.
Bellambi rock pool will also require refurbishment – at an estimated cost of only $65,000 – and another $2.3 million has been put aside for general asset renewal of other tidal pools.
The operations and maintenance of pools and aquatic services will cost the council $44.6 million in the same period.
Ocean pools will cost $2.8 million to operate and maintain.
The operation of the council’s lifeguard services is by far the most costly aquatic service to run, at about $21 million over four years.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
