Access to toilet/change facilities Actively maintained Disabled Access

Men Women Children

Current Use: Ocean baths.
Condition: Good. Equipped with a very modern toilet.

1958
Funding was sought for rock baths at Bellambi.

1960
Photographs show the pool being built by community effort and the Bellambi jetty in the background.

1961
The pool was still being developed.

1964
A doorknock was held to raise the funds still needed to finish the pool.

1965
The pool officially opened, making Bellambi the youngest ocean pool in the Illawarra.

1994
Bellambi Pool became home to the Bellambi Blue Bottles, winter swimming club.

1998
Wollongong City Council located a $55,000 unisex vandalism-resistant electronic toilet near the ocean pool.

2000
Laments about anti-social behaviour at the Bellambi Rock Pool.

2002
The NSW EPA warned swimmers to stay out of the surf and sea pools until the weather cleared, as during the recent heavy February downpours, the sewage treatment plants at Bellambi released partially treated sewage into the ocean.

1842
Bellambi Village was laid out in 1842. From the 1850s, the Bellambi Harbour shipped coal to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and later China. Despite the harbour's  use for shipping, there was little development of Bellambi village until the 1940s.

1947
The Northern Illawarra Council was amalgamated with other Illawarra councils to form the City of Greater Wollongong. 

Mid-1970s
The prime waterfront location adjacent to Bellambi Beach was developed as a public housing suburb.

1980
The old boat ramp at Bellambi was upgraded to a four-lane ramp with parking for about 100 rigs.

1999
There were some 600 Radburn-style homes at Bellambi.

The sewer outfall at Bellambi inspired a 'Paddle against Poo' from the Bellambi Point sewage treatment works to Wollongong's North Beach and onto South Beach.

2003
The Bellambi Safe Streets Project involved local residents in developing public artworks and street improvements.
 

To be added.

1960s ocean pool begun by voluntary labour. One of the youngest of the Illawarra's ocean baths and the NSW ocean baths.

Assessed significance: Local.
Current heritage status: Not yet given heritage status.
 

Related Topics Bluebottles Clublife Council involvement Fundraising Swim clubs Waste management Water quality Working bees & voluntary labour

Studies & References To be added.