Construction of a tidal swimming pool in the midst of one of Sydney’s busiest stretches of water for rowing would be a safety hazard and could result in a serious accident, community sports clubs have claimed.

The plans by Inner West Council for a $3.8 million ‘tidal bath’ on Sydney’s Iron Cove on the Parramatta River at Leichhardt, have the backing of the Minns Labor government, which has promised to put $2 million towards construction.

But according to Rowing NSW, the netted swimming area would create a navigational hazard for watercraft where it juts out from Callan Park.

Iron Cove is home to nine clubs and school rowing programs, is the site of Sydney’s only publicly accessible Olympic distance race course, and hosts over a dozen regattas annually.

Council previously invited rowing stakeholders to participate in a design panel for the proposed ‘Sydney icon’; however, the sports’ administrators claim the design submitted for development approval is still not suitable for the area.

“We’re very concerned about the pool being approved in its current form, due to the length it would come out from the foreshore, and the 60-metre exclusion zone around it that would prevent coaching vessels being able to supervise athletes”, said Andrew Mainsbridge, secretary of Leichhardt Rowing Club.

“If boats are pushed closer together when they’re travelling in opposite directions, we’re worried about the possibility of crews clashing oars or worse, running into one another.

“We share the shed with Pymble Ladies College, but we also have an extensive junior program that draws from various local public schools. So the baths will interfere with both school use and community use of the course.”

In addition, Inner West Council has recently approved a development application for a para-rowing shed for Community Rowing Club on the same stretch of foreshore.

Community Rowing Club supports visually impaired athletes, who require close supervision to aid in navigation.

[There are] significant implications for public safety, heritage, and the ongoing viability of Iron Cove as a rowing venue.

Public submissions received earlier in 2025 resulted in 31 responses from members of the rowing community, all of which expressed disapproval of the baths’ location, citing safety concerns.

Other public submissions expressed concerns for water quality in the bay.

However, some locals support the planned pool, which is situated alongside the popular Bay Run.

“I think it wouldn’t be bad, as long as it’s done properly,” said James Wright from local coffee van 29 Espresso.

“As long as the water’s clean, and it doesn’t interrupt any people who use the water, I think it’d be fine.”

The development application documents state, swimming at the site would only be feasible if it were restricted following rainfall events.

The sports governing body, Rowing NSW, has requested Inner West Council either refuse the development application in its current form or work with the community to find a more suitable location.

“We are grateful our feedback has contributed to meaningful changes in the revised design,” said chief executive Melissa Ashton-Gerrard.

“However, we remain unable to support the proposed tidal pool in its current location due to unresolved and material concerns which have significant implications for public safety, heritage, and the ongoing viability of Iron Cove as a rowing venue.”

Inner West Council did not respond to requests for comment when asked if it would consider engaging further with the rowing community. The development application is currently under assessment and, if successful, is estimated to be operating by January 2027.

Main image rendering of the proposed Tidal Baths. Image: Inner West Council.