A community group fighting to save the ocean baths at Newcastle and Merewether fear council has left the door open for privatisation.
Council pulled out of a plan to have the $10 million dollar redevelopment of the baths pavilions undertaken by the private sector and committed to funding the projects itself.
However, the Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths says council's website still leaves the way open for ongoing commercial operations and the generation of income from commercial uses.
The Group is concerned this fails to completely rule out future privatisation on the baths.
A petition started by the group is calling on council to listen to the community's ideas about restoring the pavilions and ensure they remain in public hands.
The petition has so far attracted more than 16,800 signatures.
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| Newcastle Ocean Baths facade Picture: Newcastle City Council |
