Details on the highly anticipated revised design of stage two of the Newcastle Ocean Baths project will be revealed at a public briefing on Tuesday.
The Newcastle Herald understands City of Newcastle is expected to lodge its revised plans this week, which the council says will incorporate feedback from the community, the elected council, heritage experts and the Urban Design Review Panel.
A report to councillors ahead of the briefing said the revised design will be determined by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel due to the value of the project.
Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths (FONOB) president Peter Wickham said the briefing will provide an important opportunity for the community to hear what changes have been made before formal exhibition begins.
"After a long process, the community will finally have an opportunity to hear how council has responded to the concerns raised about the original stage two proposal," Mr Wickham said.
The community group recently put forward its own rival design.
The Peter Shaddock Community Concept, donated by architect Peter Shaddock, retains the open-air character of the change rooms that has been a sticking point between swimmers and the council.
Mr Wickham said FONOB will not prejudge the council's revised proposal.
"We want to see the revised design first," Mr Wickham said.
"We will assess it carefully against the principles we have consistently advocated, putting swimmers and families first, respecting the state heritage significance of the baths, retaining their open-air character, providing good accessibility, guarding against the overcommercialisation evident in the previous proposal, and ensuring the project represents value for the Newcastle community."
The briefing, held at 6pm, is open to the public and will be delivered by the council's City Infrastructure team. It can be watched online and a recording will be made available afterwards.
Members of the public cannot ask questions at the briefing, but Mr Wickham encouraged those with questions to contact elected councillors to raise them on their behalf.
The community will be able to make submissions on the changes during the exhibition period, which is expected to take place towards the end of this month.
At a meeting in May, a lord mayoral minute which drew unanimous support asked City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath to "carefully consider" incorporating public feedback into the next phase of the project.
Mr Wickham said FONOB has been examining the council's budget and long-term financial plan to establish how stage two works will be funded.
"A project of this scale requires a substantial commitment of public money," Mr Wickham said.
"The community is entitled to understand not only what is being proposed, but what it is expected to cost, how it will be funded, when construction is expected to begin and when the project is expected to be completed."
The development application for the original council concept estimated it would cost about $39.8 million, while City of Newcastle project information shows the cost at $55.4 million, excluding GST, divided between the pavilion renewal and public domain works.
