Pool dates from 1926

The Pearl Beach rock pool has been restored and is now open to the public again, after a community fundraising effort made the restoration possible.

The rock pool dates from 1926 and was formed as part of the original development plan devised by Charles J Staples for what had been known up until then as Green Point Beach.

Mr Staples renamed it Pearl Beach, drew up the street plan all named after gemstones.

The pool was a significant attraction and was 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 attacks.

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 had become 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, leading to the need for repair.

Email, 29 Nov 2010 Beverly Kingston, Pearl Beach