Bulli Tidal Pool
Issues and Recommendations for Urgent Repairs and Improvements to
restore water quality & enhance social amenity
Michael
Organ BSc
5 May
2009
The Bulli community demanded Council
fix bad smells at the pool and address the apparent lack of pool maintenance.
Pensioner Mal Roberts, who organised a 1,000-signature petition, said he'd call
in support from winter swimming groups and the schools, if Council couldn't
find the money to rectify the pool's problems. Residents petitioned
Issue: Bulli tidal pool is subject to ongoing water
quality problems as a result of alterations to the pool structure and its
immediate environs by
Aerial
view of Waniora Point, Bulli, with the Bulli tidal pool and associated
structures visible on the southern side of the point (Source: Google Earth, 17
April 2009)
Introduction
Bulli tidal baths, or pool, is located at Waniora
Point, Bulli, in
Original
1903-1938 Floyd’s Rocks tidal pool at Bulli. View looking easterly. This pool
was constructed out of a rock outcrop located to the south of the present Bulli
tidal pool. Its walls comprised both natural rock and concrete. Photograph
circa 1910. (Collection:
Constructed in 1903 and expanded in 1921, the
Floyd’s Rocks pool was 37 yards long at its final point of development.
Evidence of the pool still remains, though its walls have been partially
removed. For more detail of its construction and subsequent history refer
Appendix 1: Historical Chronology.
Following strong lobbying from the local community
and swimming clubs during the 1920s and 30s, a new, larger Olympic-sized pool 50
metres by 30 metres was constructed on the rock platform north of the old pool.
It opened in 1938 and operated like all Illawarra tidal pools in that it was totally
reliant on the normal ocean tides to bring water into the pool and, through employment
of a natural, gravimetric circulation system, see that water exit the pool via
outlets on the lower, western wall.
This natural flushing mechanism would maintain
water quality for the life of the pool. No artificial pumping mechanism was needed, unlike the nearby Woonona and Thirroul saltwater pools which
required pumps for both filling and emptying.
The deepest part of the pool was its eastern, sea
side, with a depth of approximately 6 feet or 2 metres. As part of its
construction, a large water valve was located on the lowest part of the south
eastern wall, opposite the deepest part of the pool. This would enable regular
emptying should the pool need cleaning as a result of the natural inflow of
sand and seaweed, or to facilitate repairs due to the impact of the surf and
the elements upon the concrete fabric.
The pool operated successfully from the time of
opening in 1938. It was noted during this period that 75% of beach users also
used the pool. Popular and heavily used through to the sixties
and early seventies, the present underutilisation of the pool is therefore a
matter of concern, especially as it is the direct result of alterations
to the pool fabric and environs by Wollongong City Council since the late
1970s.
Bulli
tidal pool circa 1960s. Note the heavy build up of sand around the south
western corner of the pool (Collection: Wollongong City Library).
Bulli
tidal pool circa 1960s. Note the popularity of the pool, with people standing on
the western and southern walls (Collection: Wollongong City Library).
I was born in 1956 and grew up at Sandon Point, immediately
to the north of Waniora Point, Bulli. I well remember as a child during the early
sixties regularly swimming in Bulli pool, along with thousands of other people
- locals and tourists alike. The pool’s water always seemed clean and
refreshing to me. I can only recall it being closed rarely, due to the need to
excavate sand from the western edge. I also distinctly remember that the water
regularly flowed from the large outlets on the western wall, and as children we
would spend a lot of time on hot summer days playing in the sand under these
artificial waterfalls.
As kids we also had a lot of fun standing on the
eastern sea wall of the pool and letting the breaking waves wash us into it during
medium and high seas. This sort of fun is still an everyday occurrence at
Austinmer tidal pool, which is subject to a more active water inflow regime
then Bulli. However what was once common at Bulli is now all but impossible, or
extremely limited, due to the recent installation of stainless steel handrails
on the eastern wall which severely limit access and make it dangerous to walk
along that portion of the pool (refer below for further discussion).
There is no doubt that Bulli tidal pool was more
heavily used in the years prior to the 1980s then it is at present, even though
the number of beach users in the Illawarra continues to rise.
In the late seventies a small toddlers pool was
constructed on the western side of the Bulli pool. The new pool was
approximately half the width of the large pool and was built within the area
that was subject to regular sand inundation. Water from the toddlers pool was
obtained via two of the overflow vents from the larger pool.
It appears that as part of the construction of the
toddlers pool, the walkway along the western edge of the main pool was built up
and widened. This altered the water flow dynamics of the pool and severely
restricted the natural flushing mechanism, giving rise to a deterioration in water
quality affecting both the main pool and the new toddlers pool.
Local sentiment was that the toddlers pool should
have been constructed to the south or north of the larger pool (i.e. in a
similar manner to the Austinmer toddlers pool) and be subject to its own
independent water flushing regime, rather then reliant upon irregular overflow
from the main pool.
An unfortunate side effect of the construction of
the toddlers pool was the fact that it also constrained water exit from the
large pool during heavy seas – when the normal flushing mechanism was designed
to operate at its peak. This can be seen in the following photographs which were
taken at Bulli pool during October 2008 when there was a high tide and large
swell. The ocean water was washing around all sides of both pools.
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Bulli tidal pool, October
2008. Note the high tide and water flowing over and around the pools.
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Bulli tidal pool and toddlers
pool, October 2008. Note that the toddlers pool is full to overflowing. |
The toddlers pool was full, and as a result water
from the large pool was not able to completely flush out in a westerly
direction due to the backwash effect from the toddlers pool. The flushing
appeared to be operating below its required and designed capacity.
Bulli
tidal pool and toddlers pool during high tide and heavy surf, October 2008.
View looking northeast. Note that the fullness of the toddlers pool prevents the flow of water out of the large pool in a westerly direction, and forces the water back on itself, easterly. Such a high energy regime is not able to flush out the large pool as originally designed.
Water in the large pool was actually backwashing
and exiting the pool in an easterly, seaward direction. As a result, the water
in the main pool was not being flushed and was trapped due to the constraints
imposed by the high level of the western wall, the small outlets and the full
state of the toddlers pool.
This revealed to the author in a dramatic fashion
the severely constrained flushing mechanism operating at Bulli tidal pool as a
result of engineering works and additions carried out by Wollongong City
Council since the late 1970s. Ideally the large amount of watering entering the
pool at its eastern side during this high tide would have been able to flow unimpeded
through the pool and over a lower
western wall, as happens regularly
at Austinmer tidal pool. Through this
mechanism the pool would have received a good flushing. However this was not
occurring. Further aggravating the problem, dirty water associated with the
high tide was entering the pool and not being flushed out. Therefore following
the abatement of the high tide, the pool water quality very quickly deteriorated.
Construction of the toddlers pool altered the sand
movement regimes about the headland, and it was quickly noted by users that the
toddlers pool readily filled with sand, requiring regular intervention by
Council. Slimy water became a problem due to the limited flushing ability of
the structure. The more regular cleaning
of both pools by Council only provided a temporary fix, and did not address the core
problems.
Bulli pool being cleaned, 2005.
View looking easterly from the headland. This has become a regular occurrence since the 1980s due to water quality problems, sand and seaweed
inundation, and the inability of the pool to flush as originally
designed.
Bulli tidal pool 1 May 2009. Note the natural flow of sand around the eastern side of the headland and through the area containing the toddlers pool. The toddlers pool at present restricts this natural sand movement between Bulli beach and Shark Bay to the north. The toddlers pool regularly fills with sand as a result.
Local users have, in fact, become so frustrated
with the bad water quality in recent years that they have taken to emptying it
out on their own initiative, through accessing the valve on the south eastern
corner.
When the question of bad water quality is
discussed, many locals blame the construction of the toddlers pool. However,
what is not generally understood is the impact of the other major alteration to
the pool structure by Wollongong City Council – namely, the building up of the
walls.
At some point during the 1970s, and later, the main
pool was altered by the addition of concreting on top of the original walls,
resulting in their being raised an additional 6-12 inches. This was most
noticeable on the western wall, where large sections of concrete were put in
place to create a wider walkway, and the outflow vents were altered as a
consequence. The northern and southern walls were also affected to a lesser
degree, as was the eastern sea wall.
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Northern wall of Bulli tidal
pool, showing the addition of concrete over the original 1938 wall, along
with the emplacement of stainless steel handrails. 16 April 2009. |
North eastern corner of Bulli
tidal pool, showing additional concreting on the eastern wall, plus recently
installed handrails which hinder patron access. 16 April 2009.
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These constructions and alterations to the pool
fabric were to have a dramatic impact upon the water quality within the pool as
they resulted in the western wall being
made higher than the eastern wall. This meant that the natural gravimetric
flow of water from east to west through the pool was substantially impaired.
Building up the western wall restricted the
ability of the pool to flush as it was originally designed. Water quality issues
then began to appear regularly, and remain to this day.
It is inconceivable that Wollongong City Council
could have made such basic changes to the fabric of Bulli tidal pool without
being aware of the possible negative impacts on water quality and social amenity. Yet such
is the case.
In order to restore the water quality of Bulli
tidal pool to the consistently acceptable levels formerly enjoyed, the western
wall needs to be made lower than the eastern wall so that water can flow in
from the sea and out on a regular basis. This does not occur at present and as
a result the water quality in the pool quickly deteriorates. The inflow of
weed, seabird excrement, and pollution from normal human use further adds to
the problem.
The issue of seabird excrement entering the pool in
large quantities is only a recent one, yet is symptomatic of the mismanagement
of the pool by Wollongong City Council in recent years. It has specifically come
about as the result of the erection of stainless steel handrails along the
northern side of the pool (refer pictures below).
These handrails were supposedly put in place to
enhance safe use of the pool. Yet the result has been the complete opposite,
due to the nature of the work carried out by Council. The handrails have
actually been erected in such a position as to impair the ability of pool
patrons to walk with ease along the pool walkways.
In regards to the northern wall, for example, by
placing the handrails in the very centre of the walkway, it has now become
precarious and in some ways dangerous to walk along this section of the pool.
As a result, people do not do so to the degree they used to. I vividly recall children
running up and down this part of the pool as they played or accessed the eastern sea wall. However in their place birds now roost at will, rarely disturbed by those few people using the pool.
The nesting birds of course leave a lot of excrement behind, and this washes
into the pool and adds to the ongoing water quality problems.
Northern
wall of Bulli tidal pool, with seagulls resting on the concrete and stainless
steel handrailing. A large amount of seagull excrement was observed on the pool
wall (see picture below). 16 April 2009.
Northern
wall of Bulli tidal pool, with seagull excrement visible. Note the placement of
the handrails in the very middle of the walkway, thereby hindering access for adults and children alike. 16
April 2009.
The positioning of the handrails has therefore lead
to an increase in the amount of bird excrement entering the pool. A problem has been created which never before existed to this degree.
It is also possible that polluted waters from the
kiosk and toilets / changing rooms on the headland to the west enter the pool through ground water seepage
and add to the water quality issue, however this is only conjecture.
It is unknown if any water flow and engineering studies
were carried out by Wollongong City Council in the past to assess the impact works
such as raising the walls and putting in place handrails would have upon
the flushing ability of the main pool and its social amenity. The author is
unaware of any community consultation concerning these works prior to their
being undertaken.
As outlined above, since the 1980s it has become
noticeable to locals that the water quality in Bulli pool is unacceptable on a
regular basis. The state of the water is more often then not slimy, smelly, extremely
salty and therefore practically unswimable.
Irregular calls by the community to fix the problem
– most notably during 1998 - have resulted in Wollongong City Council regularly
emptying the pool, removing sand and weed, and refilling it. They have also
carried out minor repairs. However these are only temporary measures, and
nothing has been done to address the core issue of ongoing poor water quality arising
out of Council works which have adversely affected the pool’s ability to flush.
The outcomes of the 2006-7 Waniora Point coastal
processes engineering assessment undertaken by Council are not known to this
author, nor is it clear whether they address or make recommendations in regards
to the large pool and toddlers pool. As it stands, the author is not aware of any plans by Wollongong City Council to deal with the various issues facing Bulli tidal pool.
Bulli tidal pool, looking south-west towards the eastern, sea wall. Note
the additional concreting on the wall upper surface and the high level of the
western wall, painted in blue. 16 April 2009.
Issues
1. Water
Quality
Bulli tidal pool was originally constructed in 1938
to take the water flow from the surf swell on the eastern side and circulate it
in a westerly direction through the pool for dispersal via outlets on the
western, north-western and south-western sides. A modern day example of how
this optimally operates can be seen at the Austinmer tidal pool, where on a
daily basis water flows in from the eastern, seaward side and out over the
western wall.
Unfortunately, as has been outlined above, over the
years Wollongong City Council has built up the walls of Bulli pool on all sides,
resulting in the westerly flow of water out of the pool being greatly reduced
and all but cut off. The pool now no longer flushes on a regular basis.
Instead, it fills up with water which quickly stagnates. In the past this water
naturally flowed out of the western exit points and pool water quality was
therefore maintained.
Due to this present day stagnation of the water, slime
builds up quickly and the water becomes greasy, salty, unpleasant to swim in,
and on occasion can give rise to skin irritation requiring medical attention.
As a result, swimmers both local and visiting are turned away from using the
pool. As it stands, the pool is underutilised, due in large part to the actions
of Wollongong City Council.
As a local resident of 52 years I no longer swim in
Bulli pool due to the bad water quality. I have not done so since the mid
1980s. I have also observed that on hot summer days the pool is not used by
swimmers to the degree it was in the past. This is primarily due to the state
of the water.
In order to restore the pool to its former condition,
there are a number of actions which need to be carried out by Wollongong City Council:
1.
Survey the pool site
A comprehensive survey
of Bulli pool and its surrounds should be undertaken to determine ground and
structure levels. This information should then be used to assess the amount and
degree by which the pool walls need to be trimmed in order to restore the
natural water flushing regime.
2.
Lower the pool walls
At present the western
wall is higher than the eastern wall. As a result, natural water flow from east
to west is constrained except during periods of high tide, and even then
optimal flushing does not occur due to the back flow effect created by the
toddlers pool.
Council needs to trim
the pool walls by the removal of concrete, thereby restoring them to their 1938
levels. The degree of removal will depend upon the surveys of the site which
will identify the optimum level for restoration of the natural flushing regime.
There is an urgent need
to cut down the walls on the western, southern and northern sides so water
circulation in the pool is improved and water can easily flow in and out. There
may also be a need to trim or reconfigure the eastern sea wall so that a
greater volume of water can more easily flow into the pool.
The natural flow of water from
east to west, and the flushing mechanism, needs to be restored. This is the
most important change needing to be made.
Bulli pool should be re-engineered
so that it operates in a manner similar to the tidal pool at Austinmer, which
is noted by locals and residents for its clean water – the result of an active,
natural flushing regime.
It is obvious that the
major removal of concrete needs to occur on the western wall. This will impact
up the toddlers pool, however it is recommended (see below) that the toddlers
pool be removed, as this author considers it vital that the east-west flushing
of the big pool be restored as a priority.
3.
Increase the size of
pool outlets
In order to optimise
pool water quality, there needs to be a regular flow of water out of the pool
along the western edge. Since construction in 1938, the size of the pool
outlets have been diminished, in conjunction with the raising of the pool
walls. What was once a weir is now a dam. One of the large outlets on the
north-western corner of the pool has recently been replaced by a small diameter
pipe, further constricting the flow of water out of the pool.
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Small diameter outlet pipe
replacing larger outlet, north western corner of pool, 16 April 2009 |
North western corner of pool
showing small diameter outlet pipe (left) and extra concrete layers added to
the western wall. 16 April 2009 |
The four main outlets on
the western wall are also covered in concrete and encrusted with barnacles,
thereby raising their surface level and impeding outflows.
As part of the lowering
of the pool walls, the western water exit needs to be increased dramatically,
by increasing the size of the pool outlets, or by making the western wall low
enough to act as a weir - as operates with Austinmer pool. This will
facilitate egress of water from the pool during normal tides.
4.
Remove the toddlers pool
The construction of the toddlers pool has given rise to
a blockage of two of the main western water outlets during high seas – at the
very time when the pool is being flushed out to the maximum degree. Its
placement also restricts natural sand movement around the headland and possibly
aggravates deposition of sand in the main pool.
Removal of the toddlers
pool and associated trimming down of the western wall will improve water
circulation within the main pool and also allow for more natural sand movement
and water flow around the main pool structure.
5.
Construct a new pool
ramp
This is a practical,
cosmetic feature, however engineering assessment should be made of the optimum
size and placement of the ramp so that it does not impede water flow or
increase sand building up problems along the western and south-western edge of
the pool. The new ramp should have vents to allow water and sand to flow over
and through it.
2. Social
Amenity
Apart from the major issue of poor water quality
and its impact upon pool usage, the social amenity of Bulli pool has been
affected by other works.
The relatively recent erection of intrusive stainless
steel handrailings has had a negative effect on the usability of the pool, even
though the community was informed that these handrails would enhance usability
of the pool and improve safety. The opposite is the case.
Since the erection of these handrailings people are
now no longer able to walk along the eastern edge of the pool with any
stability or safety. As a result, sharp barnacles have begun to appear on the
surface of the wall, due to lack of pedestrian traffic.
These barnacles cut one’s hands and feet, especially
when an attempt is made to use the eastern edge of the pool by climbing out of
the water. These barnacles now further limit the use of this once very popular
section of the pool. A similar regime has been put in place on the northern and southern walls by the erection of handrails in the middle of the walkways.
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Stainless
steel hand railings on eastern wall of Bulli tidal pool. Note how the
positioning of the handrails has severely limited the ability of pool patrons
to walk safely along the eastern wall. 16 April 2009 |
View
of barnacles on the surface of the eastern wall of Bulli tidal pool. Prior to
the installation of these handrails there were no barnacles located on the
wall surface, due to the regular use of the eastern wall by pool patrons. 16
April 2009. |
The amenity of the Bulli tidal pool can be
improved, and possibly restored to its former state, by carrying out a number
of actions:
1.
Remove / reposition the
handrails on the eastern wall
These handrails should be completely removed, or moved to the far eastern edge of the pool wall so that people can walk along this section with ease and in safety, as in the past.
The author remains incredulous as to why the handrails were installed in such a dangerous position in the first place, with no obvious consideration of their impact upon pool users.
2. Move the handrails on the northern and southern sides of the pools
further away from the water’s edge.
At present these hand
rails have been placed in the middle of the pool wall surfaces, thereby
severely constricting movement and making more dangerous the task of walking
along the pool edges. This is made more dangerous when the water of the pool
is slimy, as it often is, or when bird excrement makes the concrete surface slippery, as now happens regularly on the northern wall.
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Stainless steel hand railings on northern wall of Bulli tidal pool, 2005. This positioning allowed pool patrons to walk along the pool edge in safety. |
Northern pool wall handrail in middle of walkway. 16 April 2009. |
Summary Recommendations
In order to provide a permanent solution to the
poor water quality problem at Bulli tidal pool and thereby enhance its
usability for the local community and visitors alike, it is recommended that
the following actions arising out this report be implemented as a matter of
urgency by Wollongong City Council:
1.
Carry out a comprehensive survey of the pool and its environs, with a
view to reinstalling the Bulli tidal pool to its original 1938 configuration.
2.
Cut down the walls on the western, southern and northern sides. The height of the walls should be restored to
their original 1938 levels. The level of the western wall should be lowered to enable
natural flow of water out of the pool.
3.
Cut down the eastern wall to enable a greater amount of water to flow into the pool.
4.
Remove or reposition the handrails on the eastern wall of the pool. These
are severely constraining usability of the sea wall by pool patrons and are in
fact dangerous.
5.
Move the hand rails on the northern and southern sides of the pools
further away from the waters edge, thereby enabling full use of the pool wall
upper surface walkways.
6.
Remove the toddlers pool on the western side. This will assist in restoring the original flushing regime and facilitate movement of sand around Waniora Point. Ensure that natural sand flow around the western edges of the pool is
able to occur, to minimise sand build up. This may require removal of old
concrete walls and structures beyond that associated with the toddlers pool.
7.
Ensure that natural sand flow around the western edges of the pool is
able to occur, to minimise sand build up. This may require reconfiguration of the pool ramp and removal of old
concrete walls and structures beyond that associated with the toddlers pool.
Appendix
1: Bulli Tidal Pool
Historical
Chronology
Compiled from the New
South Wales Heritage Office web site & local newspapers
1894
A meeting at Dickson's Hotel at Bulli sought funds to construct suitable baths
for Bulli and Woonona and the local MP suggested applying for a lease of the
foreshore. The enthusiastic meeting decided to form a swimming club and school
clubs after the baths were erected.
1897
A sub-committee of the Bulli Progress Association meeting at Dickson's Hotel
sought funds for public baths for Bulli through the efforts of friendly
societies, staging a concert on a grand scale, as well as soliciting for
subscriptions throughout the district.
1902
A total of 23 pounds was collected and 30 pounds subscribed at a meeting at
Stokes Hotel in Bulli about construction of the Bulli Baths at Floyds Rocks at
Waniora Point, 'where with little expense, nice baths can be erected
close to all'.
By
March 1902, 'the sea baths which Bulli was to have for this season and for
which some 10 pound was collected is still all to make'.
1903
Baths at Floyds Rocks, south of the present baths, were in use and 'crowded
nearly all day' on the Sunday in March, when a collection was taken up for a
bathing shed. Certain hours at the baths were set aside for ladies and others
for gentlemen.
1903-38 Bulli tidal pool on Floyds Rocks, looking south
towards Woonona Point.
1903-38 Bulli tidal pool on Floyds Rocks, looking north
towards rocks at Waniora Point.
1905
Time-segregated bathing was still in force at the Bulli Baths.
1906
Bulli Shire Council was formed.
1910
A gale washed away the change shed at the Bulli Baths.
1916
Work on the rock pool began. By November, the contractor Mr T. W. Evans had
finished enlarging the Bulli Baths. The Bulli Surf Bathers and Life Saving Club
was praised for the way it had worked to secure the money from an Easter Monday
carnival, members' subscriptions and donations, when other clubs had
tried for the previous four years to raise sufficient funds.
While
the new baths were 35 yards long and considered 'as good as any outside of the
city', the surf club hoped to widen them if the support was forthcoming.
1921
1927
Electric light was installed and used at the baths.
A
1928
The Baths had been in excellent condition and much patronised during the
holidays. The annual meeting of the Bulli Progress Association entrusted its
secretary with attending to repairs, enlarging and cleaning of the Bulli Baths.
Bulli
Shire Council agreed to supply Bulli Amateur Swimming Club with a medicine chest
and allowed the Club to have sole use of the baths for a carnival on Easter
Monday. That carnival included events for males and females as well as novelty
events such as a barrel race, egg and spoon race and tightrope walking.
The
Bulli Amateur Swimming Club also wanted to extend the baths and enclose the
verandah on the lower part of the dressing sheds to form a club room. Council
allowed the Bulli Swimming Club to use timbers from the old dressing-shed at
Bulli Point to build seats around the baths and a club room and provide
electric light poles for night carnivals at the baths. Bulli Swimming Club
supplied Council with names of people to act as beach inspectors and argued
that the pavilion was dangerous and should be demolished.
Members
of a Tramway Swimming Club competed with the Bulli club at the Bulli Baths. The
Bulli club's lady members put on a swimming exhibition, the diving troupe
performed and the Tramway team gave an exhibition of water-polo. Ignoring the
history of water-polo at Kiama, the Illawarra Mercury, referred to the
water polo exhibition at Bulli as 'the first game played on the
In
September 1928, the Bulli Progress Association asked Council to pay 10 pounds
to the Swimming Club for additions and repairs to the baths.
December
1928 saw another demonstration organised by the Bulli Amateur Swimming Club,
featuring the Bulli Diving troupe and exhibitions of diving and swimming by the
lady members.
1933
The Bulli Progress Association was suggesting Council increase the size of the
Bulli Baths.
1936
The Bulli Surf Club asked Council to budget for enlargement of the Bulli Baths,
which were patronised by 75% of the people who visited the beach. The
headmaster of the
1938
Bulli Council accepted a tender for 1,871 pounds 12 shillings and sixpence from
a
A
large crowd attended the opening of the 50-metre by 30-metre pool by Cr
Thompson, a man who would have liked it made compulsory for every boy and girl
to learn to swim. The NSW ASA swimming stars at the opening carnival included
four Empire Games representatives, as well as the female state diving and
junior breast stroke champions. The carnival included an old buffers race, a
schoolboys race and music from the Wollongong Steelworks Band.
1938
Bulli Shire was close to achieving its stated desire of having baths along the
coast from Woonona to
1939
The ramp leading to the baths was to be removed and an opening made in the
north end of the kiosk to give access to the ladies dressing shed. Construction
of a children's baths was 'to be proceeded with when conditions permit'.
1940
The Bulli Local Committee wanted the baths emptied and the sand and seaweed
removed.
1942
No funds were available to clear a fair amount of seaweed from the Bulli Baths.
1945
The Bulli Local Committee wanted alterations to the valve at the Bulli Baths.
1947
The Bulli Shire Council was amalgamated with other Illawarra councils to form
the City of
1955
Founding of the
Australian
champion swimmer, Jon Henricks, swam in front of a crowd of over a thousand
people at a carnival at the Bulli baths. Henricks later swam for
1959
Formation of the Brass Monkeys winter swimming club.
1962
Winter swimming club renamed the Bulli Park Sea Lions.
1973
Wollongong Council's town planner advised that development of the indoor pool
complex proposed by Bulli Surf Club was neither legal nor desirable and would
restrict access to the rock baths. Council assented to development of the
project which was later ruled out until changes were made to the Local
Government Act to permit surf clubs to build swimming pools as well as
gymnasiums.
1982
Bulli Park Sea Lions winter swimming club admitted its first female members.
1993
A bike path behind the beach linked Bulli with
1998
6 February Report (Illawarra Mercury) on problems with
Bulli pool: Bulli residents claim their local swimming hole is nothing more
than a big cesspool. Mal Roberts believes swimming in Bulli pool is
making people sick. At a meeting held at Bulli Workers Club yesterday, a
petition was launched to try to force Wollongong City Council to sit up and
take notice of the pool's potential health risks. Mr Roberts said the pool
needed more attention than monthly draining and refilling. The area of concern
is a deeper section at the ocean end of the pool where a mixture of seaweed and
other ocean rubbish has collected. Because of the hole, the rubbish remained,
even after the pool was drained and refilled, he claimed. "You have to see
the pool empty to find out just how bad the hole is. It's just indescribable
what it's full of," Mr Roberts said. Other residents share Mr Roberts'
concerns. Bob Townsend, of Woonona, took his grandsons for a swim at Christmas
and claimed he suffered a rash that needed medical attention. He believed the
rash was caused by the state of the pool water. While the pool continues to
attract up to 300 visitors a day, Bulli Beach Kiosk owner Mike Knight believes
the majority are tourists. He says the number of locals using the pool has
decreased dramatically in recent times. "When I first came to the kiosk
three years ago, there was twice the number of people swimming here of a morning.
And every month, you see it dropping off even more," Mr Knight said.
"People come up and ask me if the pool is safe to swim in, and what can I
say? I tell them that the pool was last drained three weeks ago, but to go down
and decide for themselves."
19 February Report (Illawarra Mercury) on problems with
Bulli pool: Northern suburbs residents lobbying Wollongong City Council to
repair a deep hole in the Bulli rock pool have threatened to escalate their
campaign. Yesterday pensioner Mal Roberts delivered a 1000-signature petition
to the council's acting general manager, Tony Roach. But he warned if the
council couldn't find the money needed to rectify ongoing problems at the pool,
he'd be calling in support from winter swimming groups and schools. "They
say it could cost as much as $200,000 to put in a concrete floor, but residents
have been paying rates for years. Surely they have enough in the kitty to fix
the problem." Mr Roberts, who used to regularly use the pool, said he
hadn't been near the water lately because he believed it posed a real health
hazard. He said seepage from the hole formed a smelly, dirty sludge and a
proper concrete base was the only way to fix the problem. "You wouldn't
believe the smell of it," said Bulli Workers' Club president Neville
Sweeney, who accompanied Mr Roberts to the council offices yesterday to deliver
the petition. "It's just like swimming in sewage." Mr Roberts said
despite Mr Roach's assurances that the council was investigating the cost of
options for rectifying the problem, he was anything but hopeful. "Three
engineers who were out at the pool last week told me we're not even on the
agenda for this year, next year, or the year after that." He said he had
been fighting to have something done for three years, and it was at least 30
years since anything had been done to the pool.
14 March Report (Illawarra Mercury) that Council had
agreed to spend $20,000 to clean up Bulli pool: Authorities have agreed to spend
up to $20,000 on ridding Bulli Pool of sludge. Residents met Wollongong
City Council yesterday and reached an agreement to fill in a hole that has been
collecting rubbish and polluting the pool. A full renovation at the pool, at a
cost of more than $120,000, could be done within two years. Resident spokesman
Mal Roberts said he was happy with the agreement which would alleviate poor
swimming conditions at the pool. "The council has come to the party and
agreed to fill in the hole within five to six weeks," Mr Roberts said.
"I believe it's a win-win situation for the residents and the
council." A 1000-signature petition was handed to the council last month
complaining about the state of the pool, one resident describing it as
"like swimming in sewage". The hole, at the deeper end of the rock
pool, had collected seaweed and other ocean refuse. Seepage from the hole was
forming a smelly sludge on the pool's surface. Mr Roberts said he had been
fighting to have something done to the pool for three years and it was at least
30 years since anything had been done. Mr Roberts said the council had
indicated they would consider a full refurbishment of the pool within two
years.
1999
Bulli's Olympic-size ocean pool remained an attraction for weekend visitors and
those not confident in the surf.
The
council-run caravan park on
2003
The rock pool was an attraction for visitors to the area's B&Bs (Bed and
breakfast establishments), despite local complaints that the main pool was full
of algae and slime and the toddlers pool was full of sand.
2004
20 December - Report (Illawarra Mercury) on problems with the children’s pool
at Bulli filling up with sand all the time and making it unusable.
2006
24 August
Press Release - Wollongong
City Council is commissioning a study to find ways to protect Waniora Point at
Bulli from headland erosion and sand build up.. The Coastal Processes and
Restoration Study will explore human
activity and natural processes in the area to determine reasons for the erosion
and the build up of sand at the children’s rock pool below. The Lord Mayor,
Councillor Alex Darling, said due to the sensitive location and frequent use of
Waniora Point, it was imperative Council commission a study to identify all
issues before any restoration work commenced. “We are inviting quotes from
consultants this week and look forward to beginning investigations in late
September. The study will involve analysis of the area as well as consultation
with residents,” Councillor Darling said. “The process is expected to take
three months and when finalised, Council will approach the state government for
funding under the Coastal Management Program.” Interested residents will have
the opportunity to share their views on Waniora Point throughout the study.
23
November Press Release - A study is underway
to help solve the problem of erosion and sand build up at the popular Waniora
Point headland at Bulli. Through a competitive quotation process, Wollongong
City Council has selected engineering company Patterson Britton and Partners to
undertake the significant three month investigation. The consultants will
explore human activity and natural processes at Waniora Point to determine
reasons for headland erosion and sand build up in the children’s rock pool
below. The
Heritage Significance
The Bulli Baths are historically significant because they
demonstrate the evolution of simple pools on rock platforms into formalised
ocean baths, offering time-segregated bathing for males and females into a
50-metre sport and recreation facility complete with wading pool.
The development of this site coincided with the growth of amateur swimming, the
pursuit of aquatic sports, the move to mixed bathing on beaches and baths and
the use of ocean pools as training facilities for lifesavers and others and
acceptance of the 50 metre Olympic pool as the desirable competition/training
pool.
Assessed
significance: Local.
Current
heritage status: Not
yet given heritage status.
References
URL:
http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/swimming/
Bulli
Ocean Pool [web site].
URL:
http://nswoceanbaths.info/pools/b068.htm
New South Wales Ocean Baths [web site], NSW Heritage Office, Sydney.
Accessed 14 April 2009.
URL:
http://nswoceanbaths.info/index.htm
Oliver Merrington, Tidal salt-water open air swimming pools [web site],
Waterbeach,
URL: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver.merrington/lidos/lidos4.htm
"I've lived in Bulli for 20 years and only once swam in Bulli pool, long long ago. The water stank and I cut my toe on an oyster, so I thought never again. We use Woonona pool instead. The boys and I used to like walking around the edge of the pool, when the rail was located along the 'outside' of the wall. But the new rail, (replaced around May 2007 costing about $50,000), is located along the centre of the wall, so it's much harder to access. It's fun to stand on the end of the pool at high tide and get washed back in by the waves, but even that is far more risky now that the rail has been placed in the middle instead of the outside. As for the baby pool.......it is pure filth...Jimmy Hobbs calls it the "polio pit". It's only clean for about a week after the Council empty out the sand and then it either fills up again with sand or the water just stagnates due to a lack of flow. I have never let my boys swim or play in the baby pool, never ever, it really is disgusting and should have been removed ages ago. There's plenty of natural shallow pools/ponds just north of the main pool anyway.. that's where heaps of kids swim and play, it's cleaner and probably safer as well. That's where I used to take my crew when they were small. Council should get rid of the baby pool as it blocks the south - north sand flows, (starving the Shark bay of sand.....and we saw the consequences of that in 2007), and limits the water flush of the main pool. Must cost Council a small fortune to continually clean it out. “(Local resident, April 2009)
Young people playing on the eastern, sea wall during a heavy swell in January 2009. Note the water flowing out over the adjacent southern wall, indicative of the high energy environment at the time. In this shot the eastern wall handrail is covered by the breaking waver. Photograph: Marcel van Wijk.
Site last updated: 5 May 2009. Michael Organ home page . email: morgan@uow.edu.au