FAQs

There are currently no amenities facilities at Malabar Ocean Pool for people to get changed or to go to the toilet. This restricts access to the pool and makes it less desirable for people to visit – particularly families with young children, older people or people with disabilities. 

As the only step-free ocean pool in the Randwick LGA, the Malabar Ocean Pool caters to wide range of users, including those with disabilities and mobility issues. Providing a fully accessible amenities facility close to the pool will be of benefit to all pool users.  

Randwick Council is committed to providing equitable access to our facilities to ensure that everyone regardless of ability or background can use them in comfort.

Eight car parking spaces will be lost to accommodate the new amenities. Parking counts indicate that there is generally sufficient parking in the car park and on the surrounding streets. Council has worked hard to minimise the size of the building to reduce parking loss. We believe the benefit of providing an amenities facility for all pool users outweighs the disadvantage of losing eight parking spaces.

Yes. In 2020 Council consulted with the local community and pool users about the idea to build an amenities building. People told us they generally supported the idea provided the building was small, sympathetic to the location and environment and minimised view loss. People also said their preferred location was near the car park. We have carefully considered this feedback and responded to it in the concept plan. You can view the Community Consultation Report.

Council estimates the project to cost $2.15 million.

Should the project proceed to construction it will be added to the 2024-25 capital works program.

Access from the lower car park will be retained and enhanced with a new step-free path at the rear of the building and a direct stair connection; both linking to the existing golf course ramp.

The amenities will be open during daylight hours.

The amenities will include 1 x unisex disabled toilet, 2 x unisex toilets and 2 x unisex change cubicles. Unisex amenities allow for the most efficient footprint and use of the space – particularly on busier days in summer

Showers are not provided in the change cubicles as these would significantly increase the size of the building. There are existing showers at the pool level. 

Small change cubicles have been designed to discourage visitors from using the toilet cubicles to change. 

Yes, access to the Malabar pool will be unaffected during construction of the amenities.

There will be no impact on the natural coastal environment and all surrounding bushland will be retained.

There will be no impact on the views of neighbouring residential properties There is limited impact on views from Randwick Golf Club as the top of the new amenities building is generally in line with the height of the club practice green  The building will not be prominent from the sea or from across the bay, in part due to its landscaped setting and proposed green roof.

Yes, two other locations were considered:

1. Access ramp down to the Malabar Ocean Pool. 

This location was not selected because extensive reshaping of the existing topography would be required to provide accessible pathways to the amenities and would lead to irreplaceable loss of remnant bushland. The extent of excavation would make this a very expensive option.

2. Northern portion of the existing lower carpark. 

This location was not selected because it would be visually prominent in the landscape, it would impact the views of neighbouring properties, and there is a large sewer main directly beneath the area.

The building will feature the following sustainability measures: 

• Water efficient taps and toilets 
• Natural light and ventilation with high level screened openings
• Low-carbon concrete and anodized aluminium battens which can be fully recycled 
• New bike racks to encourage people to cycle to the site 
• Expanding the areas of indigenous planting and local habitat, supporting the number and diversity of local fauna