Outdoor pools have been given the green light to reopen, but City of Newcastle claims there has been little clarity on how to do so.
The NSW government said on Sunday public pools can open this Monday, ahead of the original plan to open at 70 per cent double dose.
But City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said "unfortunately what councils have been provided is only a requirement to produce a COVID safe plan", which was released on Thursday.
"It's particularly disappointing that there is no direction on vaccinations, either for staff working at public pools or for people wishing to visit pools," he said.
Mr Bath said pools would open to residents in the LGA or a five kilometre radius from Monday with "stringent restrictions" including facemasks when not swimming, and caps on the number of people gathering outdoors.
"People are also encouraged to 'swim and go'," he said.
Butvisitors won't need to prove their vaccine status.
"This is the same approach that has been in place for the entirety of the lockdown for our ocean baths at Newcastle and Merewether as well as our public beaches," he said.
Beresfield, Lambton, Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres will all reopen on Monday.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the decision to reopen the city's swimming centres.
"As the weather continues to warm up, people have flocked to the city's beaches and ocean baths, which have remained open throughout the stay at home orders," she said.
"Reopening outdoor pools will provide more options for swimmers across the entire local government area, not just at the city's beaches and baths.
Swansea and Speers Point swim centres open Monday and Morisset will welcome swimmers on Thursday.
"We'll continue to monitor the situation closely and will adjust whenever and wherever required to ensure our pools comply with health guidelines," Lake Macquarie council's manager leisure services Brad Sutton said.
Leisure operations coordinator Paul Stone said coordinating the reopening of swim centres while maintaining a COVID-safe environment is a "complex task".
"We've worked through the new COVID-safe plan, and we are excited to be able to open our doors from Monday in accordance with a number of new requirements," he said.
Pool users are asked to maintain 1.5m physical distance from all people including staff, wash or sanitise hands upon entry and regularly after that, wear a face mask when not in the water and checkin.
"Please do not attend if you are unwell or have any signs of cold or flu, including a cough, sore/scratchy throat, runny nose, shortness of breath or fever," Mr Stone said.
"If staff observe any of these symptoms, you will be asked to leave immediately."
Charlestown pool is closed until November for maintenance. West Wallsend and Toronto remain closed as they are indoor.
