The pool was built in the 1940s and the current structure is at the end of its life. A complete re-build of the pool represents an opportunity to improve and future proof a popular Council asset.

The new concept design is for a longer and wider pool which will align with other elements in the park Masterplan, including the newly built sandstone bleachers and showers.

Council has received 100% grant funding for the pool upgrade under the NSW State Government Public Spaces Legacy Program for the improved connectivity, inclusivity and accessibility to recreational spaces and activities. The grant recognises the pool as a valuable outdoor space which has many benefits for the community.

Materials used for construction include timber walers (painted white) around the pool circumference, the use of HDPE sleeved steel piles and high strength shark netting. These will provide long-term durability for the sub-structure and maintain the heritage aesthetic of the pool. The use of more durable materials will result in less maintenance and therefore create less disturbance to the marine environment in the longer term.

Construction will take up to three months from March to June 2023, subject to weather conditions. The work must occur outside the seahorse breeding season. Seahorses will be relocated to a nearby location as approved by the NSW Fisheries Department.

Normally Council would schedule major works on pools in winter between July – October. In the case of Clontarf Tidal Pool, it is a condition of the NSW Legacy Spaces grant program that work must be completed by June 2023. To meet this deadline work must start in March. We recognise that this will impact swimmers and we will ensure that surrounding tidal pools are open during the works period.

Due to safety reasons the area will not be open for swimming during the construction phase. The park and playground will not be impacted by the work. Swimmers are encouraged to use the nearby Forty Baskets Beach, Manly Cove and Little Manly Tidal Pool whilst Clontarf Pool is closed.

Yes. The proposed design is similar to Little Manly Tidal Pool upgrade that was universally acclaimed by residents. The pool received a highly commended award from the Institution of Public Works Engineers Australasia (IPWEA) – a technical society of the Institution of Engineers Australia.

The site is constrained due to heritage conditions and these have been considered in the concept design and proposed construction materials. For example, no boardwalk is allowed due to heritage constraints and the selected construction materials are durable and balanced with heritage requirements.

A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is currently being undertaken and will be made public once it is determined. The REF will include a technical assessment of factors including environment and heritage. Heritage requirements will be further analysed and approved by Council’s heritage officers.

The work will be carried out under strict environmental controls and in accordance with the conditions set by the state agencies.

Council has prepared a seahorse relocation plan in consultation with the Fisheries Department. Both a heritage impact study and aquatic ecology study of the works area have been undertaken. These studies and plans will inform a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) that will be considered by Council prior to the works being approved. Appropriate mitigation measures outlined in the REF will be applied during the construction phase to minimise environmental impacts.

Council considered building a boardwalk around the pool like Forty Baskets Beach Tidal Pool. Clontarf Tidal Pool a listed heritage item in the Manly Local Environmental Plan (LEP). A Heritage Impact Study undertaken by an experienced maritime heritage architect indicated that an attached boardwalk would be a poor heritage outcome. This view was supported by Council’s internal heritage staff. The pool has a unique characteristic in being a timber enclosure for swimming with no attached boardwalk. As such it is a special example of this type of historic construction and maintaining the integrity of the original design is the preferred heritage outcome. Furthermore, the approved Masterplan for the park does not include a boardwalk. This was removed after extensive community consultation on the Masterplan.

Council is aware of concerns from swimmers about people jumping, diving and bombing from the timber walers, posing a risk to themselves and other swimmers. A boardwalk would potentially increase the frequency of this behaviour resulting in increased safety risk.

The intent of the Masterplan is to discourage fishing from the structure as it impacts swimming amenity. This issue has been raised at Forty Baskets Beach Tidal Pool with people fishing from the boardwalk causing safety concerns for swimmers.