Mahon Pool amenities building

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Consultation has concluded

Find out about the new Mahon Pool amenities building.

Randwick City Council is planning a new amenities building on the headland rock shelf in Jack Vanny Reserve, Maroubra, as part of its 2015-16 Capital Works budget.

The existing building is reaching the end of its usable life, is inadequate, lacks disability access and is too close to the rock shelf and cliff for safety. Council has decided to demolish the existing building and build new toilets and change rooms. When designing the new building, we needed to take account of the existing sewer pipe and the storm water drain.

This new public building will serve Mahon Pool and the Coastal Walkway users, Swim Club members and visitors to the Reserve.

To find out more:

  • you can post a question on this site by 31 March 2015 and Council will publish the question with an answer prepared by Council staff
  • meet Council's project staff on-site on Tuesday 17 March between 4pm and 6pm
  • phone our Buildings for our Community team on 1300 722 542.

The Q&A has now closed. Thank you to everyone who asked a question. We are still working on the responses to some questions and we will post answers to these outstanding questions as soon as possible.

Theis project is part of Randwick City Council's Buildings for our Community program.



Find out about the new Mahon Pool amenities building.

Randwick City Council is planning a new amenities building on the headland rock shelf in Jack Vanny Reserve, Maroubra, as part of its 2015-16 Capital Works budget.

The existing building is reaching the end of its usable life, is inadequate, lacks disability access and is too close to the rock shelf and cliff for safety. Council has decided to demolish the existing building and build new toilets and change rooms. When designing the new building, we needed to take account of the existing sewer pipe and the storm water drain.

This new public building will serve Mahon Pool and the Coastal Walkway users, Swim Club members and visitors to the Reserve.

To find out more:

  • you can post a question on this site by 31 March 2015 and Council will publish the question with an answer prepared by Council staff
  • meet Council's project staff on-site on Tuesday 17 March between 4pm and 6pm
  • phone our Buildings for our Community team on 1300 722 542.

The Q&A has now closed. Thank you to everyone who asked a question. We are still working on the responses to some questions and we will post answers to these outstanding questions as soon as possible.

Theis project is part of Randwick City Council's Buildings for our Community program.



Consultation has concluded

If you would like more information on this project, you can post your question here. We will then find the information and post it on this site, along with your question.

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    I would like to ask the Council to consider re-designing the proposed amenities block so as to set it into the hill between the current block and the carpark. I make this request on the basis that this amenities block is situated on arguably one of the best ocean coastlines of any city in the world. Therefore, as custodians of such a treasure, we need to make decisions that protect the environment from development that is not conducive to such a position. And I believe that to highlight an amenities block in front of such a magnificent view, shows no respect for its unique position. Therefore, I’m asking that Council search for ways to hide this amenities block rather than to highlight it. My suggestion would do that. A little creative thinking could design something that sits beautifully into the landscape and serves us well. If we make a good decision here and now, I believe that we will be thanked by generations to come and by tourists from all over the world, who visit our area. I would suggest that a lovely scenic viewpoint could be created on the roof of the building. Construction would not have to be prohibitive. Excavation would be easy and no soil would have to be removed from the site. It could be mounded up to help build the facility in. Rather than just building a dressing shed/toilet block, let’s build a sensational one… • One that people come to look at • One that wins an award • One that doesn’t impinge up[on our beautiful landscape/seascape • One that generations to come thank us for. Thank you for your consideration. Yours sincerely, Rev Neil Wykes (Pastor Maroubra Baptist Church) 0412 922 969

    Rev Neil asked about 9 years ago

    Thanks for these comments. We will be taking your ideas into account in developing the detailed designs for the project. Council agrees with you on the need to reduce as much as possible the visual impact of the amenities building in the landscape. In addition to moving the amenities from their current location, we are looking at other ways we can do this. We are trying to achieve a balance between the beauty of the site, the aesthetics of the building, cost, the access to existing services, public amenity and safety.

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    I live in the local area, will there be any child or family changeroom/toilets in the new design? Also will you have any external showers?

    as asked about 9 years ago

    The accessible toilet will have a baby change table. We will ask the architect to look at the possibility of having an external shower as part of the development of the detailed designs.

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    As an active Seals Winter Swimming Club member who uses the Club Room and Mahon Pool on over 200 days per year and resides on Marine Parade adjacent to Jack Vanny Reserve, I welcome the opportunity to comment on the provisional plans for new Amenities buildings on this site. The shape and position of the current Club and Shower buildings has offered users of this area a wonderfully sheltered haven in most weather conditions. Swimmers and fishermen who have found themselves in difficulties over the years have been grateful that the wide view of the pool and surrounds from these buildings has meant that help was often close at hand. Club members would like the proposed buildings to be as close to the cliff-face as is practical. In this preliminary proposal, the buildings appear to be pushed back about 15 metres from the cliff, which will reduce visibility of the pool from the buildings a great deal. Of major concern to regular and casual users is the lack of a functional wind-break parallel to the ocean front. With little protection from the S and SE winds so common here especially in winter, it is likely that the larger open area between the buildings and cliff may be under-utilised. Would it be feasible to incorporate a natural windbreak here using local stone and vegetation to make the open space more user-friendly? Are there alternative ways to minimise this unpleasant wind factor and hence make this area more welcoming on windy days?

    relics asked about 9 years ago

    Thanks for these comments. We will discuss your comments with the architects when developing the detailed designs for the project, with the aim of finding the best ways to address these issues.


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    Dear council,as a local residents think that it is great that you are building new bathroom facilites cos they are much needed but WE REALLY DO NOT NEED another cafe to be built as there are already many cafes along the beach. Maybe we could have a Bbq area built down there for families and everyone to use and little huts to sit at????

    Lia asked about 9 years ago

    Thanks for your comments regarding the café. The project is for replacing the existing facilities and does not include bbqs or the construction of huts.

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    This is not a question, it is an opinion from a local resident. I think the proposed idea for the much needed new amenities block is essentially acceptable, but would like to see more consideration for the building to blend into the area in a more natural & sympathetic way. This could easily be achieved by simply adding texture & colouring to the walls similar to the existing sandstone in the area. As well, natural landscaping using large sandstone rocks and coastal grasses and shrubs could be added to the south /southeast for a natural wind break, perhaps with the addition of a few bench seats. In regards to the "cafe" proposed by some people , what local would want to commercialise the area when it is so beautiful as it is? There is a cafe about to open across the road and more than enough cafes/restaurants a few minutes walk away at the main beach. There are also many BBQ's at the beach and in the parkland just behind the beach - we do not need them in the Jack Vanny Reserve - Adding BBQ's would be defeating the purpose of keeping this area a natural parkland area to be enjoyed by all, ie. walking, family picnics, swimmers, dog walkers, exercise groups, quiet meditation , people just enjoying the sunshine & view, etc. In this urban environment we live in, it is important for people to keep in touch with nature. Jack Vanny Reserve is one of the last natural areas available - let's keep it that way..

    reefheron asked about 9 years ago

    Thanks for these comments and suggestions. As we said in response to similar comments, Council agrees with you about the need to minimize as much as possible the visual impact of the amenities building in the landscape. We are looking at the different ways we can do this.

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    The amenities should be built into the hillside directly behind the existing with a similar concept as those at the north end of the promenade at Maroubra Beach. Many reasons why some of which are * Use of existing amenities while constructing new. *Low ongoing maintenance. * Access from the car park for day to day cleaning instead of driving through the park. * Views from the Coastal Walkway would be of the pool and coastline rather than a toilet block. A rare opportunity for the community and Council to remove a toilet block as a feature on the headland with restoration of an open space for all to enjoy the coastline.

    I care asked about 9 years ago

    Council agrees with you about the need to minimize as much as possible the visual impact of the amenities building in the landscape. In addition to moving the site away from its current prominent location, we are looking at a number of other ways we can do this. These include the texture and colours of the construction materials, and landscaping.

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    Dear Council, Thank you for upgrading the facilities. I think you should consider building the amenities Into the hill to the right of the current amenities. It would not affect the landscape horizon and the toilets would appear hidden. And people could even walk over the top. You could then return the stone headland to it's natural state. WE DON'T NEED A CAFE , there is one about to open across the road. What would be good is if you put solar panels on the roof to provide hot water for showers.

    rflynn asked about 9 years ago

    Thanks for these comments.Council agrees with you about the need to minimize the visual impact of the amenities building in the landscape and is looking at the best ways of doing this. Where we locate the new building is constrained by the existing storm water drain and sewer line. If we were to have a building where people could walk on the roof, we would have to install safety fencing on the edge, which would add to the visual intrusion.On installing solar panels, Council has a number of community buildings with solar panels, but we are not proposing to include them in this project due to the high risk of vandalism.

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    Dear council, as a local resident I think it's great that you are updating the toilet facilities but a cafe is not needed there are enough cafes in the area and we should keep the headlands as is. Would it be possible to have a big area or a gym facility?

    dazza asked about 9 years ago

    Thanks for taking the time to comment and ask this question. We are not including a gym as part of the project as we are providing a "like for like" facility; that is replacing the old facilities with with similar new facilities. Council had proposed an outdoor gym next to the car park a few years ago, however there was a lack of community support for this, so we moved the outdoor gym project down to Maroubra Beach, near the skate park.

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    Awesome these buildings are getting an update. This is a community facility and council has done a great job involving us in the plans. Can you please give the local community even more 'ownership' by including local schools & clubs? I have seen similar buildings with a tiled mosaic feature that was the work of the local primary school- as an example. Local artist, local clubs may sponsor viewing chairs or similar items. It might be a way to reduce the cost of the project? Public facilities that are 'enhanced' by the local community are less likely to be vandalised. Cheers

    Adelaide6 asked about 9 years ago

    Thanks for your comments and suggestions on ways we can get community ownership of the project and reduce vandalism. Council will consider options for incorporating your ideas as the project develops.


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    could you please consider installing solar panels on the rooves of the shower blocks-for a realtively small outlay there will be big benefits for the many pool users/seals club members who use the pool in winter

    cookm asked about 9 years ago

    Thanks for this suggestion. Randwick Council does have a number of community buildings with solar panels, including our Works Depot and Randwick Town Hall. However we are not planning to install solar panels on this particular building, due to the high risk of vandalism.