Newcastle Ocean Baths

A comprehensive engagement campaign was conducted between 17 June and 5 August last year to seek feedback on plans for Stage Two of our upgrade which includes the revitalisation of the pavilion buildings and surrounds. Visit our Have Your Say page to view the consultation report and learn more about the activities that were undertaken.

A huge thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts with us. Some of you like the design, and some of you suggested changes. Based on your feedback we are exploring:

• A different layout for the change rooms
• More seating and spaces for picnics
• Ways to deliver the feeling of open air with ventilation and natural lighting through the changeroom roof design.

Questions about a roof over the amenities

We acknowledge the recent petition lodged by Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths regarding Stage Two of our upgrade. We also recognise that feedback received from the community throughout previous consultation has presented strong and diverse views both for and against the introduction of a roof over the amenities.

The concept plan has been developed with careful consideration of technical, financial, social, environmental, and heritage factors. It aims to celebrate the Bath’s heritage features while ensuring the facility remains functional and enjoyable for years to come. 

The proposed design maintains best practice modern design principles for safety, maintenance and sustainability, delivering a solution that prioritises open-air amenity through natural ventilation and maximised natural lighting. The facility's new roof will also protect the much-loved façade, sheltering the structure from the harsh coastal environment.

The inclusion of a roof on the amenities building aligns with international, best practice guidelines for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). The design reduces the likelihood of crime by minimising the opportunity to commit a crime, increasing the likelihood of being caught and controlling access across the site.  The new roof design will proactively protect the privacy of change room users, especially children and vulnerable people, rather than relying on penalties for drone operators who break CASA rules after the fact.

The existing amenities at the Newcastle Ocean Baths feature open-space change rooms and shower facilities, which offer limited privacy for users, including children. To address this, the proposed design introduces a more inclusive layout. It retains open-space changing and showering areas while incorporating enclosed shower facilities with adjacent change spaces to enhance privacy. Additionally, the design includes family change rooms equipped with accessible features and a ‘changing places’ facility, ensuring the needs of a diverse range of users are met.

The petition was tabled for discussion at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 26 August 2025. You can read more about the meeting and view the associated documents on our website.

What's next for Stage Two?

The design revisions are now finalised, and planning approval will be sought through an Integrated Development Application process, which includes Heritage NSW. We lodged the Development Application on Friday 21 November. You can find out more, including ways to make a submission, on our Have Your Say page.

In Stage One we prioritised upgrades to the pool area to improve safety and accessibility for all users. This included remediation to the pools, lower promenade and pump upgrades. After considerable engagement with the community, the final design for Stage One was finalised in August 2021 incorporating the art-deco inspired circular stairs, bleachers and retaining the popular boardwalk.

Following completion of Stage One the pool re-opened for swimming on Thursday 21 December 2023.

A big thank you to all who attended our return to swim celebration.

The existing change facilities located in the southern pavilion building reopened in line with the recommencement of swimming. The change rooms and public amenities are open from 5.30am to dusk. The upgrade of these facilities is part of Stage Two of the project.

Lifeguard patrol hours are between 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Sunday, except during periods of pool cleaning. The schedule for pool cleaning is available here.

The $9.5 million recovered from the sale of CN's Fred Ash building helped fund the Stage One upgrade, along with $3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program.