The organiser of a petition calling for Newcastle's two ocean baths pavilions to stay "in public hands" says the community wants only "very minor" changes to the Merewether building.
Councillor John Church (Ind) tabled the 9000-strong petition at Tuesday night's council meeting after the city administration called for expressions of interest from the private sector in redeveloping or reusing the pavilions.
Merewether resident Jessica Miller, who organised the change.org petition, said on Wednesday that the number of people who had backed her campaign was an "impressive show of support" for keeping the baths pavilions largely intact.
The EOI documents propose leases of up to 21 years at Newcastle, including 5800 square metres covering the pavilion and car park but not the pools themselves, and Merewether (2200 metres).
The council has issued concept designs which show a modern, box-shaped structure behind the heritage-listed Newcastle baths facade and said new buildings could include restaurants and function centres.
At last month's council meeting, deputy lord mayor Declan Clausen (Labor) tabled a petition bearing 195 names offering qualified support for a new cafe or restaurant at Newcastle baths.
The council resolved last month to continue with the EOI process but agreed to conduct "ongoing community consultation to help guide future upgrades".
Ms Miller said the comparative size of the two petitions showed the community supported restoring the Newcastle pavilion rather than redeveloping it.
"What they have been asking for is to restore the pavilion that is there, and for that restoration to be completed by council, not through a private-public partnership that would see the majority of the site redeveloped and handed over to private business for at least 21 years," she said.
She said feedback from face-to-face interviews and social media showed most people wanted only minor changes at Merewether.
"There is no evidence, to our knowledge, that the pavilion needs significant restoration work, and only comparatively minor suggestions have been made by the public regarding upgrades, for example, some extra shade outside, cleaning up the toilets and change rooms and revisiting the parking issues.
"We have been waiting for the neglected Newcastle baths to receive the love and attention they deserve for several years now. The council have the money from a significant rate rise."
The council issued a similar EOI call in 2014.
A subsequent council survey showed the most sought-after improvements for the baths were shelter (66 per cent), toilets (61 per cent), showers (51 per cent) and seating (53 per cent).
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