What changes would you like to see at your local beach, pool, parks, playgrounds and indoor sport venues?
Right now Wollongong City Council is asking us what it can do to make our most treasured spaces even better, with an eye to creating three 20-year strategies to enhance the city’s most ‘fun’ places
They’re among our most loved places to escape and, in the midst of the current heatwave, thousands of locals are flocking to find relief at our beaches, pools and waterways.
Right now Wollongong City Council is asking us what it can do to make our most treasured spaces even better, with an eye to creating three 20-year strategies to enhance the city’s most ‘fun’ places.
Given you’re probably reading this while feeling the heat, let’s start with the ‘Beach Services and Surf Sport Strategy’ aimed to meet the needs of our growing population in a climate that keeps warming.
And with the mercury forecast to soar towards a sizzling 40 degrees on Saturday, here’s an ideal opportunity, while pondering a cooling dip, to consider how, in future, a visit to your favourite beach or pool could be an even better experience.
Is there the need for more shade? Do the toilets and change room facilities meet community expectations? Do you feel safe? Is the place accessible for people with special needs? How will your favourite beach be impacted by climate change and rising sea levels?
Council wants to leave no stone unturned in getting the community’s view on what improvements are needed over the next 20 years to enhance and better protect and enhance Wollongong’s 60km of coastline and 34 beach locations.
“Beaches are a big part of life here, so we need a clear plan to keep them safe, welcoming and sustainable for everyone,” a council spokesperson said.
“We’d like to hear from you about how you use our beaches and surf sports facilities, what improvements you’d like to see, and what should be a priority for the future.”
Council wants to check in on the current condition of their facilities from the people who know them best. Which facilities need fixing, replacing, or should be added to, and do they meet community expectations and industry standards?
The new long-term strategy will cover Wollongong’s patrolled and unpatrolled beaches, and surf sports and recreation activities, including surf lifesaving and boardrider clubs, learn-to-surf operators, paddle boarding, beach sports and fitness groups.
Public feedback is being sought by Sunday, 8 February and can be provided online, by email to engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or by phoning Council’s engagement team on 4227 7111 during business hours.
Aquatic and Indoor Sport Strategy
Council is also using this summer period to seek feedback that will help shape a 20-year ‘Aquatic and Indoor Sport Strategy’.
“We’re starting this conversation with our community over the summer period to catch people while they’re out and about using our facilities,” a council spokesperson said.
“We’d like to hear from you about how you use our pools, leisure and indoor sports centres, what you love about them and where you would like to see improvement.”
The new strategy will cover Wollongong’s nine ocean rock pools, eight supervised community pools, two leisure and indoor sports centres (Beaton Park and Lakeside) and two indoor sports centres (Beaton Park Snakepit and Berkeley Indoor Sports Centre).
It’s no secret the city is struggling to meet the growing needs of the community for indoor sporting facilities, and this is currently the subject of separate consultation specifically about the current and future needs at Beaton Park.
The public has until 8 February to provide its views on the city’s future aquatic and indoor sporting needs. Visit the Our Wollongong webpage to share your thoughts.
Future playground needs
Also a work in progress is the consultation for a ‘Playspace Strategy’ to guide how our playgrounds are planned, designed and managed across the city for the next two decades.
Council currently manages about 150 play spaces.
“With our population growing and communities evolving, we want to take a minute to consider how we deliver play opportunities that are fun, inclusive, safe and accessible for everyone now and into the future,” council says. “Whether you’re a parent, carer, young person, older resident, park user or just passionate about play, we’re keen to understand what you think of our offerings so far, and what we could consider play to look like for this generation and the next.”
Consultation on the new Playspace Strategy closes on Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
