City of Bunbury looks to develop $18 million ocean pool project

The City of Bunbury is looking to build the only ocean pool in Western Australia, with Councillors voting this week to move forward with a $17.82-million plan for a 50-metre lap pool with an accessible ramp and a children's area.

Set to be the first ocean pool construction in Australia in 60 years, the new pool would replace Bunbury’s former saltwater pool, the Stillwater Baths, destroyed by a storm in the 1930s.

Backing the plan at a council meeting this week, City of Bunbury Councillor Cheryl Kozisek said it could be a turning point for the city by giving tourists "a reason to turn off the outer ring road and head into our beautiful city", stating “at last, (we're) putting something unique on our shoreline.

"I would like us to help put Bunbury on the map."

The potential location at Wyalup Rocky Point was first flagged as a potential location for an ocean pool almost a century ago but after the Great Depression in the 1930s, the idea was abandoned.

Subsequently, the idea of a new ocean pool has long been debated among community members and council alike.

Behind the push, which he sees as a tourism opportunity for the region, former Bunbury Councillor Todd Brown told the ABC “what would Bunbury have looked like if they'd actually gone through with that concept 120 years ago?

"Would it be like Bondi or could it be like St Kilda?"

The council plans to spend $5.94 million on the project and hopes to secure additional funds from Western Australian and Federal governments.

Ocean pools have a long history Australia, with the first ones dating back to the 19th century.

The City of Bunbury will now release a public consultation on the proposal.

Images: Concepts for the new ocean pool. Credit: City of Bunbury.