The idea of creating a public pool at this popular stretch of Adelaide coastline was first floated in 2018, with the latest info session today (Friday) now gathering feedback for the development of draft concept plans.

A survey on ideas for the seawater-filled pool and its suggested sites is also underway in the local area with responses needed by next Monday, August 15.

Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said the former State Government provided $35,000 for the council to come up with concept plans for the pool but it first needed feedback on what locals wanted in the design.

“We want to know whether they want a big pool, a small pool, a wading pool or an Olympic-sized pool,” Hanna said.

“We also want to get an idea of cost and to know from the community what impact it might have, for instance parking is an issue to be resolved.”

An earlier feasibility study on building a new pool was funded by Marion Council and the State Government after a community petition supporting the idea amassed around 5000 signatures in 2018.

This study ruled out the initial idea of a tidal pool like the world-renowned site at Bondi Beach as the site’s topography makes that too difficult to construct.

But a seawater-filled outdoor pool extending above the waterline was suggested instead with the study saying it was estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 people would visit the new Hallett Cove attraction each year.

The figures were based on data tying together the estimated 75,000 people who visit the Hallett Cove foreshore each year with data on use of other Australian sea pools.

“This report said it was possible to put a swimming pool on the beach frontage near the war memorial but it would not be a tidal pool,” Hanna said.

“The marine environment means when it has storm surges it will get the pool filled with sand, debris, animals, seaweed, so if we built a pool there we need to have a wall enclosing one side. The proposal is for a saltwater pool at the water’s edge.”

Two suggested spots for the pool are included in the survey, both at the base of the Heron Way Reserve embankment, with the earlier study suggesting this could form part of a protective structure against coastal erosion.

Results of the new survey will give the Marion Council an idea of the plan’s popularity with the initial construction costs likely to be around $10 million, depending on the final design.

South Australia’s only tidal pool is in Edithburgh on the Yorke Peninsula and was built in the late 1800s.

Today’s community information session to discuss the plan and provide feedback is at The Boatshed, Hallet Cove, 10am to noon.