Belmont Baths

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Consultation has concluded

The re-establishment of Belmont Baths is a step closer, with Lake Macquarie City Council having completed a concept design for the new community swimming and recreation area.

Council voted in April to build a new jetty and protected swimming enclosure to replace the finger jetty that was destroyed in the 2015 super storm. The new facility will incorporate protective mesh on all three sides, which will encourage people to use the area for swimming.

“The lake is our jewel and our major recreational asset, so we want people to use it,” Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Councillor Kay Fraser, said.

“Residents and visitors have been reluctant to do so in recent years due to a perception of danger, so our priority is to create a safe area that can be delivered quickly and will encourage people to again swim in the lake.”

The new jetty will be 70 metres long, with a 45-metre wide swimming enclosure, which includes an accessible ramp to a deep-water platform. The facility has been designed to minimise impact on the threatened Posidonia sea grass, which grows in Belmont Bay.

Council’s Acting Manager Community Planning, Wes Hain, said the Belmont Baths project also included construction of a new accessible amenities block with aquatic wheelchair storage. The foreshore area will be attractively landscaped, with scope to extend the recreational space in future.

“Accessibility was a key aspect of the design as we want the new Belmont Baths to be a space that all members of our community can use and enjoy,” Mr Hain said.

“The baths will be a great facility for people who enjoy swimming or simply relaxing by our beautiful lake.”

Work on the Belmont Baths project is expected to begin in the second half of next year.

The re-establishment of Belmont Baths is a step closer, with Lake Macquarie City Council having completed a concept design for the new community swimming and recreation area.

Council voted in April to build a new jetty and protected swimming enclosure to replace the finger jetty that was destroyed in the 2015 super storm. The new facility will incorporate protective mesh on all three sides, which will encourage people to use the area for swimming.

“The lake is our jewel and our major recreational asset, so we want people to use it,” Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Councillor Kay Fraser, said.

“Residents and visitors have been reluctant to do so in recent years due to a perception of danger, so our priority is to create a safe area that can be delivered quickly and will encourage people to again swim in the lake.”

The new jetty will be 70 metres long, with a 45-metre wide swimming enclosure, which includes an accessible ramp to a deep-water platform. The facility has been designed to minimise impact on the threatened Posidonia sea grass, which grows in Belmont Bay.

Council’s Acting Manager Community Planning, Wes Hain, said the Belmont Baths project also included construction of a new accessible amenities block with aquatic wheelchair storage. The foreshore area will be attractively landscaped, with scope to extend the recreational space in future.

“Accessibility was a key aspect of the design as we want the new Belmont Baths to be a space that all members of our community can use and enjoy,” Mr Hain said.

“The baths will be a great facility for people who enjoy swimming or simply relaxing by our beautiful lake.”

Work on the Belmont Baths project is expected to begin in the second half of next year.