The pools of Sydney’s coastline are a beauty, but their future is uncertain. Rising sea levels, climate change and the increased frequency and severity of east coast lows are threatening them. Unless a drastic change is made, these beautiful spots will be lost, and we’ll lose the chance to swim in them or view their stunning underwater ecosystems.
sdy pools are unique in that they are tidal ocean pools with no fixed water level, created by the action of the tide and the rocks and sand on which they rest. When full, they fill with calm clear water and are safe for swimming. The sands around them are often soft and warm, and the pools themselves teem with life. A spiky sea urchin shifts slowly at the edge of one pool, a rust-red arm of an octopus flits across another, and a school of darting bream swirls past a third.
They’re also threatened by a changing climate and the growing threat of sea level rise, as well as sewage runoff from the city and surrounding suburbs. They’re also at risk from erosion and dumping, which have already destroyed parts of the shoreline and sent boulders tumbling down the cliffs. And rising sea levels may also make it difficult to maintain the height of the walls if they’re not raised regularly, which would require removing and replacing the sand below them.
But it’s not all bad news for the sdy pools, which are still popular with swimmers. Many locals and tourists visit them for their natural beauty, and the sdy pools are a wonderful place for families to enjoy a swim. Some locals also use them as a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
The sdy pools are a special place for many people, and they should be protected for their natural beauty, cultural significance and biodiversity values. Sadly, they are currently facing a number of challenges, including funding issues and political bickering. The project was originally slated to open in 2021, but it’s now looking unlikely that it will be completed by then, with council infighting and claims of pork-barrelling raising concerns.
A sdy pool is a beautiful place for a swim, but it’s also a valuable ecosystem that should be protected for its natural beauty, biodiversity values and cultural significance. In the long run, preserving our sdy pools is in everyone’s best interests. Thankfully, some local councils are making this important work a priority. But we need the federal government to do more, too. So we’re asking the Australian government to support marine parks and conservation efforts at these iconic sites. If you share this story, it could help raise the profile of sdy pools and make them an even more popular destination for swimmers and snorkellers.