City of Newcastle welcomes recognition of Ocean Baths for historic significance

The City of Newcastle has welcomed the NSW Government's decision to list Newcastle Ocean Baths on the State Heritage Register as Council progresses with the final stage of the revitalisation of the Baths.

City of Newcastle Executive Director City Infrastructure Clint Thomson noted “the Newcastle Ocean Baths have been a treasured part of our community for the past 100 years and City of Newcastle remains committed to revitalising this iconic facility to ensure it remains a vital part of Novocastrian life for generations to come.

“We have long-recognised the historic importance of this facility and the role it has played in helping to shape the fabric and culture of our thriving coastal city.

"Our project team, guided by consultant heritage architect Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, developed concept plans that factored in both the existing protections as a heritage item of local significance, as well as the protections of a potential State Register listing, with careful consideration given to the revitalisation of the pavilion buildings including the Art Deco façade."

The elected Council has passed a number of resolutions, including the most recent notice of motion in January this year, confirming support for the ongoing protection of the heritage of the Newcastle Ocean Baths, including through significant investments in upgrading the pools and promenades.

City of Newcastle staff and the consultant heritage architect presented to the State Heritage Register Committee as part of the listing process, following ongoing liaison with the Heritage Council of NSW.

The presentation outlined the historic, aesthetic and representative values of the site, including the large scale of the Newcastle Ocean Baths complex, officially opened in 1922, which was a significant technical achievement for its time.

The iconic curved bleacher seating, carefully restored during Stage One of the Newcastle Ocean Baths revitalisation, was delivered as a solution to help protect bathers from large swells.

The complex also represented a shift in the approach to public bathing at the time. Earlier legislation required bathers to be segregated by gender as a matter of public decency under the Police Act 1838. The 1911 offer to fund the construction of the Baths from the then Minister of Public Works relied on the Baths being open for mixed-gender bathing.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Assets and Facilities Rob Dudgeon said the latest   consultation on facility upgrades reflected diverse community views more than a century on and advised "the community feedback we received included a broad range of views on the concept design, including seating and shade, the layout of change rooms and roof design.

"The proposed design has evolved with community input, and the detailed design phase will be informed by the consultation results, technical studies, and heritage advice."

City of Newcastle will seek planning approval for Stage Two of the project through a development application process, which includes Heritage NSW.

This will be followed by detailed design, with the aim of having the project tendered and construction commenced within the current Council term.

Image. Swimmers enjoying the Newcastle Ocean Baths circa 1930. Credit: City of Newcastle