As the city becomes denser, swimming pools are becoming fewer and further between. Even though Sydneyans appreciate their beaches, only one council-managed bathing spot exists per 17,200 Sydney residents; by 2041 an extra 1700 people will want to splash in the waves or laze by their local pools. But the next NSW government could help by reinstating pre-2010 funding mechanism which allowed councils to spend levies on infrastructure like pools – this may result in political battles about these essential public facilities at next month’s state election.
The Sdy Pools are a series of natural rock formations along Australia’s Royal National Park coast an hour south of Sydney that have become an Instagram hotspot. While adventurers flock to these Instagram hotspots by the droves, many leave disappointed when completing a two-hour, 6-km hike only to discover that these pools fail to live up to their hype and can actually be more dangerous than expected.
Travel bloggers have recently warned about drownings and broken bones among inexperienced swimmers attempting to navigate these pools, which are controlled by ocean waves at each tide and filled and emptied by waves each tide cycle. Furthermore, unpredictable surf conditions have often resulted in catastrophic losses of life and limb and many broken phones.
If you plan to go swimming at the beach, check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast first. A big swell could make it impossible to even see Figure 8 Pools; otherwise you risk being washed out to sea by waves. Even on calmer days, however, it’s wise to swim within sight of shore – never leave children unsupervised on this journey!
Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney, wants to transform part of Sydney Harbor into a public swimming pool in order to draw tourists while contributing to conservation efforts in her city. While her plans remain preliminary at present, should this idea go forward it could offer residents new ways to enjoy ocean-going life while drawing more visitors into Sydney and regional Australia.
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