The weather is heating up and so is work on the latest rock pool in the Illawarra to receive an upgrade.
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Workers have been draining the Wombarra Rock Pool, which is off Reef Road, so they can complete restoration work as part of Wollongong City Council’s maintenance of the regions ocean pools.
Major structural improvements including the restoration and reconstruction of walls is being carried out. New precast internal wall lining, extension of the existing sea wall and construction of a beach access ramp will also occur.
The project, which is being undertaken by Unanderra based company Dynamic Civil, will cost about $1 million and is expected to be completed by the end of December depending upon weather and tides.
A Wollongong Council spokeswoman said council had spent more than $800,000 to maintain the rock and tidal pools last financial year and $5.6 million on major repairs to seawalls, pool floors and associated infrastructure from July 2016 to date on upgrades and improvements.
"Our community has told us consistently that these are valuable assets to the community, so we are committed to maintaining and improving these pools," she said.
Monica Tremellen and her children travel down to Wombarra beach and rock pool from the Sutherland Shire regularly in summer. She can't wait to see the rock pool opened.
"During summer we come down to Wombarra to find a nice spot on the beach and swim in the rock pool," she said.
“The rock pool is great because the waves don’t knock the kids over and we don’t have to worry about the currents while in the pool.
“Wombarra is also very picturesque.
“I am happy to see the rock pool is being upgraded.
"When we come down to Wollongong for a swim we always come to Wombarra because it has facilities close by and it is not too busy.”
The Wombarra ocean pool will remain closed while work is completed.
The council has also completed upgrades to the concourse at Towradgi Rock Pool in 2016, Woonona Rock Pool concourse in 2016, work was completed on Gentlemen's Baths ocean pool as part of the Blue Mile Tramway works in 2016, and Coalcliff Rock Pool was upgraded in 2017.
Work on the Austinmer rock pool is still underway. The project has been plagued by problems since it began in 2014. The cost of upgrading the pool is expected to be $1.7 million.
Council workers typically inspect all rock pools on a Monday and carry out maintenance on a needs basis throughout the week.
“They normally start with Woonona because it’s the only pool with a pump system and they then inspect the pools from Coalcliff to Towradgi and then down to the Gentleman’s pool at North Beach," the council spokeswoman said.
“The Continental and Port Kembla pools have their own in-house maintenance team.
“Council workers have to plan their work based on the tides.
"Pool maintenance starts by opening the valves to drain them three hours prior to a low tide. Depending on prevailing swell conditions, we may also use a pump to help drain the pool.
"Sand removal is the first and biggest job. They then work on water blasting the inside walls and floor to remove seaweed and other sludge."
A four person crew works to maintain the rock pools.
