infrastructure · Woollahra Municipal Council
$1 million funding pathway opened for Edgecliff harbour baths project
Woollahra Council has approved a potential allocation for the Murray Rose Public Baths at 136 - 148 New South Head Road, but has not approved construction.
Woollahra Council has approved a potential $1 million allocation towards the Murray Rose Public Baths/Swimming Enclosure project at 136 - 148 New South Head Road, Edgecliff, opening a funding pathway for the proposed harbour facility.
The allocation was approved 14 votes to one. Councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis abstained and was recorded as voting against the motion.
The resolution names Council working funds, the section 7.12 Reserve Fund and Voluntary Planning Agreement funds among the possible funding sources. It does not provide a detailed funding schedule, construction cost, construction approval or delivery date.
The allocation is tied to the project at the Edgecliff site. Further project stages still need to be progressed, and the supplied resolution does not confirm that building work will begin.
The funding was approved as part of Council’s decision on budget rollovers and revotes for inclusion in the 2026 - 2027 Budget. The revotes total $2,566,171, comprising $340,000 in capital revotes and $2,226,171 in operational revotes.
Council also approved further investigations into a separate proposal for swimming at Yarranabbe Park. That project remains at the assessment stage.
A Human Health Risk Assessment and additional water-quality monitoring will be undertaken at Yarranabbe Park to determine whether the site is suitable for swimming. Council has made no decision to construct a swimming enclosure there.
The two proposals are separate. The Edgecliff resolution allocates a potential $1 million to the Murray Rose Public Baths/Swimming Enclosure project, while the Yarranabbe Park resolution authorises investigations before any future decision on construction or project delivery.
For the Edgecliff project, the immediate outcome is approval to identify and direct potential Council funding towards future work. The resolution does not set a construction timetable or an opening date.
Reference minutes
This report is based on Woollahra Municipal Council’s Ordinary Council Meeting of 24 August 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Woollahra Council approved a potential $1 million allocation to the Murray Rose Public Baths/Swimming Enclosure project.
- The project site is 136 - 148 New South Head Road, Edgecliff.
- Possible funding sources include Council working funds, the section 7.12 Reserve Fund and Voluntary Planning Agreement funds.
- The allocation vote was 14 to one, with Cr Jarvis recorded as voting against after abstaining.
- The decision does not confirm construction approval, a final funding schedule or a delivery date.
- Council also approved $340,000 in capital revotes and $2,226,171 in operational revotes for the 2026 - 2027 Budget.
Why it matters
- The approved allocation gives the Edgecliff harbour baths project a defined potential Council funding pathway, but does not commit Council to construction or set a delivery date.