Reconstruction commences on two of Sydney’s famed tidal pools

Reconstruction work is to soon begin on two of Sydney’s Northern Beaches most popular ocean pools, Little Manly and Forty Baskets.

Under Council’s Tidal Pool Renewal Program, the design of the pools incorporates the use of more durable materials, which will provide a lower maintenance cost and longer life, while maintaining the heritage appearance.

Steel wrapped in black HDPE will be used to replace the existing wooden piles as steel is more durable and will need to be replaced less often. This will result in a more environmentally friendly outcome as the seabed is disturbed less often replacing piles.

The pools will be wrapped in high quality, strong netting to replace the existing shark-barrier steel bars as it is more environmentally friendly and can be safe harbour for sea life such as sea horses. It is also a safer option as oysters do not grow on it, which pose a risk to swimmers cutting themselves on the bars.

Northern Beaches Council has taken advice from marine scientists about the best way to protect the important seagrasses and threatened species in the area. Before any work begins, divers from Council’s specialist marine life contractors will survey the area in and around the pools to locate sea horses living there, which will then be relocated to nearby areas of seagrass.

The heritage features of the tidal pools are very important and Council has consulted widely with heritage experts in the design and material selection in the reconstruction works at both pools.

The timber walers between piles on both heritage listed pools will remain as will the timber jetty at Forty Baskets.

Work on both pools is being carried out between May and September to avoid having an impact on the breeding cycles of sea horses and fairy penguins.

Image of Forty Baskets courtesy of Northern Beaches Council.