At its 24 November 2022 meeting, Lane Cove Council will discuss the fate of the Lucretia Baths located on Woodford Bay. The Lucretia Baths are a tidal pool located in Dunois Street Longueville.
A report prepared by Lane Cove Council staff notes that the Baths are now showing signs of their age, and a structure rebuild is required. Lane Cove Council are recommending the following:
That Lane Cove Council:
- Undertake Community Consultation as outlined in the officer’s report on the future of the Baths, with the options to include:-
– Rebuilding of the Baths to attract and retain community use;
– Demolition of the Baths and the rejuvenation of the area; and
– Requesting the community to suggest other options.
- Erect signage at the Baths to deter usage of the Baths due to safety concerns.
- Liaise with Transport for NSW – (TfNSW) about the options for the future of the Baths.
- Receive a report after the Community Consultation has concluded.
Background
The Jean Mitchell Baths (Lucretia Baths) in Dunois Street, Longueville have been in existence since the 1920’s. The Baths were originally built by the local residents for use as private baths.
This Baths enclosure is 20 by 25 metre on the western side of Woodford Bay in the lower Lane Cove River. The Baths are standalone, and there are no toilets or showers (and not even a café nearby!!)
The Baths operated under a lease between local residents and the Maritime Services Board (now Transport for NSW – TfNSW) until 1992 when the lease was transferred to Lane Cove Council.
Maintenance and Repairs Funding
The Baths were reconstructed by the community members in 1968 and in 1987 and Lane Cove Council spent $7,500 in 1992. Council also undertook maintenance repairs in 2006.
In 2022, Lane Cove Council applied for a grant to rebuild the bath pursuant to the NSW Government Places to Swim -2021/22 Grant Program, but they were unsuccessful.
Lane Cove Council has indicated they will apply for another grant, under the NSW Government Places to Swim -2022/23 Grant Program. If their grant application is unsuccessful, then options such as demolishing the baths and rejuvenating the area will need to be considered. The Baths could be rebuilt, but the price estimate to rebuild the baths is approximately $600 000.
Lane Cove Council officers recommend the Baths be immediately closed for access as the structure is no longer safe to use. In The Cove took pictures of Lucretia Baths today (20 November 2022), and a family was enjoying getting their feet wet at the baths.
Heritage Listed
Lucretia Baths is one of the 3 remaining examples of timber “shark” paling harbourside baths left in Sydney. Read the Heritage Listing here.
In 1994 the baths were heritage listed, along with Greenwich and the Tambourine Bay Baths. The Tambourine Bay Baths were removed and the site is now a picnic area.
Swimming and Water Quality
In 2017 an article about Lucretia Baths on the Ocean Pools NSW website by Simon Duffin mentioned:
“I did manage to cut myself a few times swinging onto the metal stairs at the deep end, and although any shark would have had to be pretty hungry and pretty slim to get through the gap left by the one missing plank of wood in the fence, it did make me cut short my swim, as it was stinging even in the water.”
Each year the NSW Government releases a water quality report which monitors the water quality of 228 NSW swimming sites. You can read more about this report here.
The 2021/2022 Water Quality Report noted that Sydney’s Northern ocean beaches Manly to Palm Beach were rated good or very good.
The Water Quality Report also looks at harbourside beaches. In the 2021/2022 report, Greenwich Baths, and Woodford Bay were rated as good. Tambourine Bay was rated poor (it was rated poor last year).
An extract from the 2018 Water Quality Report Noted:
An extract from the 2015 Water Quality Report Noted:
Have Your Say – Be Part of the Process
Residents can write to Councillors on this proposal (or any issue). The email address that will reach all Councillors is: [email protected].
A Zoom meeting link will be emailed to the provided email address.
A time limit of three (3) minutes per public forum address applies.
Community Consultation
If Lane Cove Council resolve to seek community consultation, ITC will let you know when the proposal is on the Lane Cove Council Website.
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