Although a lack of council support has left some feeling disappointed, hopes and plans to renew the historic ocean pool at Aslings Beach are still a topic of conversation within the Eden community.
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Situated in an undeniably stunning location, many would like to see the pool restored to its former glory, where it was once used for formal swimming lessons and was a popular spot for both tourists and locals for a dip on a hot day.
Heritage management and interpretation consultant Angela George put together a community project proposal that went before Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) on March 10.
At the meeting council resolved the project "not be supported by council due to predicted high whole of life costs and risk".
Ms George said community members who were advocating for the restoration and maintenance of the 25x20-metre rock and concrete ocean pool were not giving up after the recent setback.
"It's frustrating - it's an asset just sitting there," she said.
Ms George said the proposal was not requesting BVSC fund repairs or maintenance of the pool, which was constructed under the banner of Imlay Shire Council with mostly community-raised funds when it was built as a war memorial in 1961.
More than willing to do the necessary work applying for grants to fund the project, Ms George said without the support of BVSC it is may not be possible to do so, given the rock pool is positioned on Crown land.
The pool is set into and on a naturally occurring rock platform, which was deepened and formalised to create a safe swimming pool within the marine environment.
With low concrete walls on two sides to allow flushing and refilling by natural tidal movements, the pool was originally around 1.3 metres deep when constructed.
Those who have visited the pool over many years say it it now holds more sand than it used to, limiting its use and leading to sand rubbing and concrete cracking, which Ms George said are "engineering responses to the environment" it is in.
"The pool is always changing - its changeability is one of the positives but also one of the challenges," she said.
"New South Wales has more ocean pools than anywhere else in the world. Every pool is unique and faces unique challenges to respond to the sand, water and waves."
Ms George said Sydney-based architect and designer Nicole Larkin had made some valuable suggestions regarding ongoing asset management including the potential of establishing a community trust to take care of future maintenance cost, a governance structure that is used successfully at number of Sydney ocean baths.
Obtaining a grant and engaging a coastal engineer would be the next crucial step in navigating how best to restore and maintain the rock pool for ongoing long term use as a community asset, according to Ms George.
She believed there were many possible options as far as grants were concerned, given the links to returned service people, environmental aspects, and health and recreation.
"People and community support are what's needed most now... we need to look at long-term solutions," Ms George said.
Local resident Kel Williams regularly walks to the ocean pool with his dog and said he would like to see it maintained.
"Every other rock pool in the area seems to be looked after, so why not put some love in to this one as well?" Mr Williams said.
Although BVSC is not making a commitment at this stage, mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said he would like to have the ocean pool fully operating and maintained.
"We need to try to work out a way a forward," Cr Fitzpatrick said.
He suggested setting up a direct body with local trustees, such as a community group, could be the best approach for now.
"And I would be happy to be part of that to be honest," Cr Fitzpatrick said.
"The rock pool is one of our tourist attractions and is something that can be repaired, I don't think it will be costly, but the ongoing maintenance and keeping the sand out is the issue.
"We do need some sort of expert who knows how we can best maintain it."
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Leah Szanto
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
