Government involvement

Colonial NSW government to 1900

Colonial NSW governments assisted the development of ocean baths by:
-  providing grants for their construction as at Kiama, or
- drawing on the design and construction expertise of its engineers as at Bondi, Bronte and Wollongong, or
- promoting swimming in government schools,

Roles of the government agencies relevant to ocean baths included:
1. Leases of the pool sites,  NSW Lands Department,
2. Design and construction of the ocean pools and harbour works that facilitated tourism, NSW Department of Public Works,
3. Rail transport, NSW Government Railways,
3. Swimming carnivals and learn-to-swim programs for school children, NSW Department of Education, and
4. Defence, NSW Army stationed soldiers near ocean baths.


After 1901
When the Australian colonies united to form a nation in 1901, the new Commonwealth government had little impact on ocean baths except for:
- military control of beaches and ocean baths in WWII, and
- the National Fitness program begun in 1939.

The NSW State government continued the colonial NSW government's involvement with ocean baths and even expanded on it regarding:
- co-ordination of local government,
- Depression-era pool construction,
- learn-to-swim programs,
- National Fitness Council,
- environment and heritage issues,
- waste management,
- involvement with surf clubs, and
- restrictions on sun bathing and swimming costumes.

Further Information

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