Daracon Group

The Newcastle Ocean Baths is an iconic coastal landmark on the Newcastle foreshore in New South Wales. Stage 1 of the major upgrade, delivered by main contractor Daracon Group for the City of Newcastle, focused on the complete rebuilding and restoration of the pool, promenades and pumping system.

Works were completed between March 2022 and December 2023, with the baths reopening for swimming on 21 December 2023. The project extended the design life of the facility by a further 50 years while improving accessibility, safety and resilience to future sea-level rise. The upgraded pool and promenade areas have been widely welcomed by the community.

The Challenge: Aggressive Tidal and Splash-Zone Environment
Ocean baths are constantly exposed to saltwater immersion, tidal action, wave splash and harsh coastal conditions. Traditional steel reinforcement is highly vulnerable to rapid chloride-induced corrosion in this environment, leading to concrete deterioration, reduced structural life and high long-term maintenance costs.

The project required durable reinforcement for the reconstructed pool walls, raised pool deck, new concrete slabs and promenade areas that could withstand the severe marine exposure while supporting a 50-year design life.

The Solution: GFRP Rebar for Tidal and Splash-Zone Structures
BlackBar™ GFRP rebar (glass fibre reinforced polymer / fiberglass reinforced polymer bar) was used as an alternative reinforcing material alongside other high-performance options.

GFRP rebar was selected for its proven performance in tidal and splash-zone environments:

• Completely immune to chloride-induced corrosion
• High tensile strength combined with significantly lower weight than steel
• Excellent durability in constant saltwater and marine exposure
• Ideal for pool walls, decks, promenades and other coastal concrete elements
• Fully compliant with Australian Standard AS 5204

The use of GFRP rebar provided a strong yet lightweight solution ideally suited to the harsh tidal conditions of the Newcastle Ocean Baths.

Project Outcomes and Benefits
The incorporation of GFRP rebar contributed to:

• Enhanced long-term durability of the reconstructed pool and promenade structures
• Reduced risk of corrosion-related deterioration in a severe marine environment
• Support for the project’s 50-year design life target
• Improved constructability through the lightweight nature of the reinforcement
• A resilient coastal facility that can continue to serve the Newcastle community for decades

The Stage 1 works were recognised with a CCF NSW Earth Award in 2024 in the $10–30 million category, highlighting the quality of delivery by Daracon Group.

Why Choose GFRP Rebar for Ocean Baths and Coastal Projects?
GFRP rebar is the ideal reinforcement solution for ocean baths, coastal pools, promenades and marine structures exposed to saltwater and tidal action. It delivers corrosion-free performance, extended service life and reduced whole-of-life costs in the most demanding environments.

Contact us today to discuss GFRP rebar solutions for your next coastal, ocean baths or marine infrastructure project.

https://daracon.com.au/projects/newcastle-ocean-baths-upgrade-stage-1https://daracon.com.au/projects/newcastle-ocean-baths-upgrade-stage-1