Dawn Fraser Baths upgrade

The Dawn Fraser Baths is home to the oldest water polo and swimming club in Australia and the Baths is listed as a nationally significant heritage item. Inner West Council is proud to stand as the custodian of this much-loved community asset and is fully committed to the Baths' progressive conservation. 

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Council will undertake additional improvements at the recently upgraded baths in 2022-2024.

Proposed works include:

• refurbishment of the northern pavilion
• planning for long term access improvements to the baths’ entry from the surrounding streets and Elkington Park

Progress:

• Northern Pavilion temporary repairs completed
• Design services tender under evaluation - finalisation expected November 2023
• DA expected to be lodged February 2024
• Contractor procurement finalised March 2025
• Construction works to commence April 2025

Budget: $2m

Completion Date: September 2025

Contact: David Di Biase on (02) 9392 5946 or david.di.biase@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

Progress Photos

2020-2021 Project details

The works included:

• Raising boardwalks and ground floor levels of the Entry Building and Southern Pavilion
• Demolition and reconstruction of the Southern Pavilion at the new raised ground level
• Retention, alteration and repair of the Entry Building to the Southern Pavilion
• Installation of new solar panels to the Northern Pavilion and four water polo lights
• Installation of fire sprinkler system and emergency upgrades
• Associated alterations to the perimeter paths, seawalls and eastern perimeter entry

Council is spending approximately $6 million and also successfully obtained a $2.2 million grant from the NSW Government and a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth Government to fund the heritage upgrade.