20/05/2026
Marrungbu ‘thank you’ Dr Aunty Rhonda Radley, our Elder in Residence for your facts and response to protecting Oxley Beach………response below……..
“Protecting Oxley Beach is a large group (and growing) of locals. We are unfunded and not politically aligned. We are not against a pool, we do NOT support the location at Oxley Beach.
Councils recent report and recommendation also shows Council, various State government departments, the NSW Land Council, Surf life Saving ALSO do not support changing the high conservation zoning for a pool at Oxley beach
Reasons include
- this is high environmental land, it is zoned only just below a National Park. There are environmental and ecological impacts with 9 known threatened species in the area including three turtle species (taken from pool committee and Council documents)
- the rezoning introduces major infrastructure into a known coastal hazards location. It will be costly (not only to the environment) to build, maintain and impossible to insure
- the pool site has terrible accessibility. Even with extensive compliant ramping , getting back up the many long ramps to your car is not possible for many people , those who would be fit most from a pool- then you have to get to your car, across a busy road or further up a hill with only 2 accessible spaces allocated
- parking is limited. The proposed reverse angle 45 degree parking on the bed on narrow Pacific Drive seems like a joke, but it’s sadly not. Imagine holiday time people trying to reverse in , gets kids out , there are no pathways and the road is not wide enough. The bike lanes will be erased
Also on parking, the proposed use of the spaces across the road do not take into account sporting events on Oxley oval (rugby, cricket, athletics) , tennis club use, fitness groups, overflow from town beach in peak season, the school kids , or the soon to be built surfing museum
- the impacts on existing use of the spaces across as passive recreation, and preservation of our only untouched beach right near town - no more on leash dog walking or quiet reflection time
- cost to build is ballooning. They say it will be funded (there is not money for it) from a grant…. But people are saying there are higher priorities like the Wrights road roundabout, ocean drive duplication, aquatic centre, new sporting fields etc. so it will compete against other priority projects - this is not one of them. It is not contained in a single strategic plan as a priority
- massive cost to maintain. Costs from the pool committee are at up to $285,000 . These costs assume that council absorb somehow the real cost to maintain and manage - the estimate is now up to $500,000 per year, forever , (likely to increase over time). AND does not factor in major events like storm damage, structural failures or pumps failing
- these costs directly impact on what else council can do , in managing existing infrastructure or general works like road works, bridge repairs, slashing, parks and gardens, hall upgrades, playground equipment and more - what and who else loses out across the LGA to have this expense added to our rates? And remember rates are about to go up significantly .
- This is not a strategic priority and unplanned for
- despite what is said there is a lack of Traditional Owner approval - the whole reason this site was selected in the first place
I could go on but you get the picture. If you would like find out more come and see what we are concerned about at Protecting Oxley Beach - say NO to the Ocean Pool “
I like add for years we have gathered at Oxley Beach for a sunrise gathering on the 26th January bringing community together in remembrance. Please protect the sacredness of this place. ♥️🌅💛
