We're excited to announce the first stage of the Masterplan is on time and budget, with an upgrade to the facilities at the Forster Ocean Baths underway.
Thanks to funding of $200,000 from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund and additional Council funds of $250,000, we’re upgrading the large shaded barbeque area, public amenities / change rooms and outdoor shower near Forster’s Ocean Baths.
Draft designs were developed in keeping with the Masterplan, and were open for community review and feedback during April 2019.
If you would like to see how the feedback provided was used to influence the design elements please visit our feedback page to view the detailed report and final design plans.
Stage 1: August - December 2019
While the Ocean Baths are open for swimming during the October school holidays, some of the surrounding lawns and the amenities have been fenced off while we build the toilets, change rooms and showers.
Temporary toilets and an outdoor shower and two dual barbecues are available at the site, so holiday makers can still enjoy one of Forster's most popular spots.
Initial site works included demolition of the aged toilet block and change rooms, along with excavation and construction of a new slope-stabilising retaining wall to make way for the new building footprint. At first we thought that there might be unforeseen factors that could delay the project timing, but everything has gone smoothly and we've begun constructing new amenity buildings on schedule.
That's great news for this summer, as the new facilities should be open in December, ready for the busy holiday period.
We will remove the fencing and open the whole site for the Christmas and January period, and the new toilets, showers and change rooms will be available for public use.
Stage 2: Early 2020
After the January 2020 school holidays are over, work will recommence to demolish the old barbecue shelter and rebuild a brand new shelter. This area will be fenced off, but the ocean baths and new amenities will be open and accessible.