Newcastle Ocean Baths revised design unveiled

The City of Newcastle has unveiled a revised design for the final stage of the Newcastle Ocean Baths upgrade. Lord Mayor Gavin Morris stated the new plans aim to strike a balance between preserving the site's heritage and creating a functional space for the community.

The updated design includes changes to the layout, amenity locations, and roof structure. To address previous contentions regarding the pavilion's roof, the council has proposed a simplified, glazed design with an engineered timber frame intended to maximize natural light and ventilation while maintaining an open feel.

The revised proposal follows feedback from heritage experts, the Urban Design Review Panel, and the community group Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths (FONOB). FONOB president Peter Wickham noted that the group intends to assess the new plans against their core principles, which include respecting state heritage significance and maintaining the open-air character of the change rooms.

Due to the project's value, the design will be determined by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel. The plans are set to undergo a formal public exhibition process.