Revived Balmoral set for summer
A suite of essential repair and renewal projects along the beloved Balmoral foreshore has been fully completed in time for summer.
Residents and visitors taking a stroll along the promenade will notice a number of improvements to key infrastructure within the historic precinct, as well as some aesthetic tweaks.
Known collectively as the Balmoral Winter Works, the program included new paving around the Balmoral Rotunda and Public Dining Building, replacement of the dilapidated stormwater pipe on Balmoral Beach, installation of new seating at the southern end of the Balmoral Promenade, new decking in front of the Boat Shed and Kiosk, new floating turning boards for swimmers at Balmoral Baths, and upgraded fitness equipment on Balmoral Oval.
Infrastructure along Balmoral’s foreshore – including the promenade itself – goes back almost 90 years and even the more contemporary additions were more than 40 years old. Mosman Council General Manager Dominic Johnson said that rather than continue to patch repair, Council elected to invest in the iconic suburb’s long-term future.
“We undertook the work during the comparatively quieter, cooler months, from May through to October. It took many hours of planning and labour to bring to fruition and access restrictions have required compromise and patience from locals, which we thank them for. Now the fencing and mesh banners have come down and the community can cherish a healthy and revived foreshore,” he said.
The improvements are already being enjoyed by the fitness set down at Balmoral Oval, festive folk at the Rotunda and by residents relaxing with a good book under the fig trees near the Kiosk.
It’s been a boon for our marine-minded Mosmanites as well. The costly and defective mechanical turning boards at Balmoral Baths were replaced with modern floating boards; a move hailed by the local swimming groups.
Spit Swimming Club president Mike Gribbin said the swim season had recently kicked off and the new turning boards had been a welcome improvement.
“The new boards are great – they are very stable and as they rise and fall with the tide we no longer have to adjust the boards and it’s easier to attach lane ropes. The new boards also have hand rails for backstroke which is a great improvement,” he said.
“We already have 75 members of the Spit Swimming Club for this season and we expect more families to join following this upgrade to the Baths.” The Club, which is open to all abilities and ages, meets on Saturdays and is currently offering a free trial for new members.
For general news and updates about Council infrastructure projects, visit mosman.nsw.gov.au