Plans for the redevelopment of Newcastle's iconic Ocean Baths have sparked a wave of community concern, with critics arguing the council's vision prioritises dining and entertainment over the core function of swimming.
Swimming Takes a Back Seat in Baths Revamp
The debate was ignited following a December 26 article by Sage Swinton in the Newcastle Herald, which detailed council proposals to serve alcohol at a future cafe or restaurant within the baths complex. In a letter published on December 30, 2025, Newcastle East resident David Stewart voiced a frustration shared by many, stating the council's plans extensively discuss dining but glaringly omit strategies to boost swimming.
Stewart highlighted a critical flaw in the design: inadequate change room space. He praised the renovated baths as potentially "the best ocean bathing facility in Australia" but warned that the current plans for change rooms will not meet the demand of the increased patronage expected in coming years.
Community Calls for Focus on Safety and Sport
The letter made a passionate case for the baths' primary purpose. "The baths are for swimming, not for fine dining," Stewart wrote. He connected the need for enhanced swimming facilities to broader community issues, citing recent drownings and the essential need for children to learn to swim.
Stewart advocated for the establishment of a swimming club at the baths, arguing that such initiatives would attract more swimmers and better utilise the superb facility for its intended, life-saving purpose.
A Broader Tapestry of Local Concerns
The letter regarding the Ocean Baths was one of several published in the Herald on December 30, painting a picture of a community engaged on multiple fronts.
State Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, reflected on the impact of the Bondi terrorist attack on the local Jewish community during Chanukah celebrations. He welcomed new NSW gun laws, including a cap of four firearms for recreational users and a ban on displaying terrorist symbols, but stressed that legislation alone cannot eradicate anti-Semitism or racism.
Other residents raised issues closer to home. Helen Douglas from Stockton expressed dismay at e-dirt-bike riders damaging the grassy Ballast area and posing a risk to pedestrians. Meanwhile, John Cooper of Charlestown argued that recent protests, including those by Rising Tide in Newcastle, demonstrated a need to reconsider the right to protest in public landmarks.
The collection of letters also touched on national political discourse following the Bondi attack, with several writers criticising the politicisation of the tragedy. In a final note on local priorities, Richard Ryan of Summerland Point questioned the appropriateness of a planned official state visit to Australia by the President of Israel.
The community's voice, channeled through the Letters to the Editor section, underscores a clear message to the City of Newcastle: while dining upgrades may have their place, the fundamental community need for safe, accessible, and well-supported swimming facilities at the Ocean Baths must not be drowned out.
