Paradise Beach is a well-loved harbour pool on the foreshore of Pittwater in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Northern Beaches Council has undertaken to restore the harbour pool and replace the aging netted swimming enclosure and wharf structure which forms its enclosure. The council sought community feedback which flagged the need to integrate some measures to improve accessibility to the pool and into the water.

Following a workshop on ocean/harbour pool design and management, council engaged RODA architects and Nicole Larkin to review accessibility for Paradise Beach Harbour Pool and make recommendations on how this could be improved. Potential access upgrades which were identified included a timber stair and handrail into the deep end of the pool, additional handrails into the water at both the wharf and groyne ends, stable paths of travel along the beach for pool users and those accessing the water with kayaks or boating dollies, a beach shower, and nominated general safety features. Indicative sketches accompanied the report to indicated how the access upgrades could be incorporated.

Council are scheduled to progress with construction in 2024.