New Sydney Harbour pool to open this summer; nationwide AusAlert warning test to blare sirens
A new tidal swimming pool on Sydney Harbour in Callan Park, Lilyfield, is set to open this summer, with construction underway and demolition of nine unsafe buildings beginning. This afternoon, the first nationwide test of the AusAlert emergency warning system will sound sirens on most phones across Australia.
Sydney's latest harbour swimming pool, located on the banks of Callan Park in Lilyfield, will open for swimmers this summer, according to the state government. Construction is currently underway. The new tidal baths on the Iron Cove foreshore, along the popular Bay Run and near sports fields such as Leichhardt Oval and King George Park, are expected to attract thousands to the southern banks of the Parramatta River.
Demolition work has also commenced on nine unsafe buildings in Callan Park. The Minns government said on Monday that these buildings had been neglected for so long that they had become both an eyesore and a safety hazard. Their removal will unlock central parts of the park, delivering the equivalent of two football fields of green space back to free community use.
The baths will include a shark net, a fixed jetty, a pontoon, and an accessible pathway with a ramp into the water. Construction is expected to take six months, meaning the pool should open for the summer of 2026. The building demolition in Callan Park is also expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Planning and Public Services Minister Paul Scully described the Callan Park upgrades as a "new era." He argued that the park would be further improved by the Parklands bill, which passed the state's lower house in May and is now before the Legislative Council. Current legislation prevents any commercial activity in Callan Park, but Scully hopes a café could be allowed if the bill passes.
When opened, the Callan Park baths will join a series of new or revived public swimming spots in Sydney. Marrinawi Cove at Barangaroo opened in 2023 as Sydney's first city beach in 50 years. Bayview Park on the Parramatta River reopened for swimming in 2022 after more than five decades. Other spots include Chiswick baths, Cabarita beach, and Penrith beach (Pondi) which opened in 2024.
Today at 2pm AEST, most phones in the country will blare an emergency siren as part of the first nationwide test of the new AusAlert warning system. People who may have secret "safe phones" kept hidden for personal safety reasons have been advised to consider turning off their devices for up to 24 hours after the test. Drivers have been warned not to touch their phones during the alert.
