Newcastle council offers ageing ocean bathing pavilions to developers in order to save them
Two of Newcastle’s iconic ocean bathing pavilions are being offered to developers in a deal that’s set to possibly add restaurants, cafes, a kiosk, gym and even short-term accommodation in return for a complete overhaul of the aging structures.
While the exterior of the Newcastle Ocean Baths’ 1922 art deco building is heritage listed and will be retained, there’ll be plenty of scope for development of the 5800 square metres of space on offer. Developers are also being invited to redevelop the Merewether Ocean Baths nearby, with 2200 square metres of space at its pavilion.
“We’re really excited about this as it’s a great opportunity to improve such an iconic Newcastle site,” said Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes of the Newcastle Ocean Baths.
“We’ve had some structural issues at the Newcastle baths that we’ve known about for some time, with some corrosion of the original structure so we can fix those along with the refurbishment. We’re hoping improved facilities, including a better lifeguard tower, will further attract local residents and visitors to use the site for a lot more than just swimming.”
The council has received a number of approaches over the years to redevelop both sites, but it decided instead to put in place a transparent process that would allow anyone to make suggestions.
Already these have included a gym, restaurants, yoga studio and short-term accommodation, with a series of artist’s impressions released to show what the rejuvenated baths could look like.
Local real estate agents estimate the sites together could be worth close to $50 million. Nick Stewart, sales manager with Century21 Novocastrian, says the sites offer enormous potential.
“The pavilions at the moment aren’t really used for anything, just for getting changed,” he said.
“I‘ve just come back from Queensland where it was great to be able to sit by the beach and have a drink and something to eat. If we were able to have something like that, and something suitable for families, it would be a really good thing.”
The successful bidders will have to go through the regular development application process, and comply with heritage restrictions, the obligation to keep the baths a free public attraction and the mandatory inclusions of new public changing rooms, disabled access, car parking, seating and shading.
As well as reinvigorating the baths precincts, the redevelopment will encourage access to the Bathers Way, the six-kilometre pathway that connects the two sites. It will also preserve views from the lifeguard and first aid rooms and provide swimmers with year-round protection from wind and bad weather.
“We’re excited to see people’s ideas of what could be done,” said Ms Nelmes. “We’re open to everyone’s ideas.”
The city is the reserve trust manager of both buildings for the Crown Lands Division of the NSW government.
City of Newcastle infrastructure director Ken Liddell said councillors had nominated the restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths as the single most important infrastructure project for the city.
“We are now able to take the projects to the market,” he said. “Potential uses under zoning regulations for both baths include restaurants, cafes or kiosks, community facilities, and educational facilities or other recreation purposes.
“Any redevelopment of these buildings will be subject to DA determination and the successful lessee or lessees will be required to provide some facilities managed by the city, so it can continue to provide lifeguard and pool-cleaning services plus community spaces.”
The expression of interest campaign will close on December 17 when there’ll be a tender process for shortlisted respondents before a 21-year lease is signed with the council.
Interested parties will have to outline their proposed partnership or joint-venture arrangements, as well as concept plans and previous experience with developments of similar scope and scale.
