Wollongong City Council media release: 13 August 2025
Site fences will go up around the part of the car park at Helensburgh Pool and tradespeople will start work next week as Wollongong City Council moves forward on the popular facility. The remainder of the car park will still be available.
The work is scheduled to be completed before the January summer peak and will provide an improved swimming experience for all users, including those with accessibility requirements.
“When we spoke to the community about the plans for this pool there was very clear feedback that indicated people wanted us to maintain the toddler pool as they really valued the shallow, shaded area for young children,’’ Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
“As part of this project, we’re refurbishing the toddlers’ pool as well as the 25m pool which is in keeping with the community’s wishes.
“Plus, in line with our target on accessibility right across the city, we’re able to provide a significant upgrade to the amenities at the pool. While the pool has a hoist to support pool access, the amenities don’t, so once this work has been completed, it will also have a changing places facility.’’
In all, the project includes:
- refurbishment of the 25m and toddlers’ pools including structural remediation, resealing the construction joints, a full repaint and retiling
- complete refurbishment of the male and female amenities including new partitions and fixtures
- construction of a new changing places toilet and other accessibility upgrades
- construction of a new accessible toilet and parking spaces
- resurfacing the pool concourse
- installation of new handrails, seating, shade and bike racks
- improvements to pool concourse lighting
- the existing shade structure will be painted, and new shade cloth will be installed
- refurbishing the existing pool plant room
- replacing the ageing pool plant and equipment
While the pool is currently closed for the winter months, and Lifeguards who would ordinarily work at the pool from the opening of the 2025/2026 swim season will be deployed to one of Council’s seven other chlorinated or saltwater supervised facilities.
The works on the pool are supported by grant funding from the NSW Government’s Multi Sport Community Facility Fund.
“We’re very grateful to the NSW Government for their support of this project, which will extend the life of the existing pool by another 30 years or so,’’ Cr Brown said.
“We’re also pleased to say that the assessments undertaken at the pool earlier this year confirmed that the pool shell had been in better condition than previously anticipated. We carried out these supplementary checks as we were finalising the design specifications for the project and its budget.
“This additional step minimises the risk that we will be faced with the similar problems to other local governments with their pool projects, where they have experienced unexpected delays and cost blowouts due to issues uncovered once construction began.
“We can assure the community that the contractor will be working hard to get the pool open for those hot summer days in January and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding.
“We’ve made a commitment to deliver this improved facility for the residents of this suburb and we’re delivering on the promise we made to them.’’