Rock pool contamination is denied

A member of the Pearl Beach Progress Association has denied online comments that the Pearl Beach Rock Pool was contaminated and making swimmers sick as "completely unfounded".

Peninsula residents first questioned the water quality of the rock pool just after the New Year, when some beach goers who swam in the pool fell ill with stomach bugs.

Community members posted to a Gosford and Peninsula Community Alerts web page that they thought there was some relation between their illness and their swim in the rock pool based off of the condition of the pool water.

This prompted an online discussion between group members regarding the regularity of the pools drainage and how often it was cleaned.

Many beach goers also commented on the state of the pool with some describing the water as "murky" and "foul smelling".

Others questioned whether or not the usual increase in beach goers as part of the school holidays may have had some effect on the water quality, while others related the conditions to the lack of large swell or tides in the area as of late.

Ms Lynne Lillico of the Peal Beach Progress Association confirmed that there had been a lack of tidal cleaning.

However, she said the pool was in a fine condition and that it was definitely not making swimmers sick.

"The Pearl Beach rock pool dates from 1926 and formed part of the original development plan devised by Mr Charles Staples, for what had been known up until then as Green Point Beach," Ms Lillico said.

"Mr Staples renamed it Pearl Beach, drew up the street plan, all named after gemstones, with the pool a significant attraction.

"One of many built in the early 20th century on the harbour in Sydney, at various beachside suburbs and at popular holiday spots along the coast, rock pools were seen as a safe option for bathing.

"They protected swimmers from dangerous rips and shifting sands on the sea floor and also from the likelihood of shark attack," she continued.

"The original pool at Pearl Beach consisted of a simple cement wall enclosing a convenient section of the sea at the southern end of the beach.

"It had a natural sandy floor sloping away from a rock platform with a cliff behind.

"Rough changing sheds were built on the rock platform.

"Over time sand built up in the enclosure and working bees were held to clear it out.

"In the 1960s a decision was taken to re-build the pool with a cement floor and walls and an outlet valve.

"Responsibility for the regular cleaning that was now necessary was taken over by Gosford Council.

"In recent years reinforcing rods in the original concrete began to rust and many cracks appeared with sections of the pool walls breaking off.

"It became obvious that major restoration work was necessary.

"During 2009 the people of Pearl Beach, along with their friends and many visitors who come regularly to use the pool raised $80,000 towards the cost of the work.

"The rest of the estimated $250,000 was paid by the council.

"The restored pool was officially opened in November 2010 and continues to be used extensively by locals and visitors alike.

"As a tidal pool it relies on large seas to wash it out.

"However at times, particularly during holiday times with increased usage, it becomes cloudy and the water quality is often compromised.

"Locals monitor the cleanliness and with support from the Central Coast Council ensure that regular cleaning is undertaken," Ms Lillico said.

According to Ms Lillico, the pool water is perfectly all right and that once a large tide drains out the stagnant water it will no longer seem murky or odorous.

Website, 1 Jan 2017

Gosford and Peninsula Neighbourhood Community Alerts Page

Interview, 10 Jan 2017

Media release, 11 Jan 2017

Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association

Reporter: Dilon Luke