With more twists and turns than a Netflix drama, North Sydney Olympic Pool is in deep water once again. This time, Icon, the construction company building the pool, is taking North Sydney Council to the NSW Supreme Court, suing them for a whopping $28 million in compensation due to delays and design changes.
It’s been 12 long years since the iconic North Sydney Olympic Pool was approved for redevelopment – yes, way back in 2013. Brewster Hjorth Architects were selected for the redesign in 2018, and Icon as the builder in 2020. If you recall, work was supposed to commence in 2021; then North Sydney Council called for an independent review as the original re-opening date swooshed past in November 2022. PwC completed the review in April 2023, giving their recommendations. The steel roof frame for the 25-metre indoor pool was torn down in October 2023 and Council proceeded to launch legal action against the architects in 2024. Last year, councillors voted for an 87 per cent rate rise for North Sydney residents to help pay for this pool project that’s been marred by budget blowouts – from the original estimate of $58 million to the current $122 million.
With us so far? Now, North Sydney Olympic Pool is mired in legal dramas once more, with the building company Icon suing North Sydney Council for $28 million in compensation. The builder claims that ongoing design changes and structural issues, particularly involving the indoor pool’s steel roof, caused major cost overruns and time blowouts.
Icon alleges that council-appointed Brewster Hjorth Architects repeatedly revised the indoor roof design (it was eventually dismantled in 2023) and this triggered cascading delays and additional costs. The company is now seeking damages and a time extension via the NSW Supreme Court, stating that it has continued to invest heavily to complete the project.
The Council, in turn, is pursuing its own legal action against the architects over the same roof debacle, which rendered the steel frame unusable. North Sydney mayor Zoe Baker said Icon’s legal claim was “not a surprise” and that Council had anticipated this after failed mediation last year, adding that the litigation should hold those responsible to account.
Despite ongoing courtroom battles, Icon says it remains committed to finishing the redevelopment, which includes modernised indoor and outdoor pools, a new grandstand, a children’s water play area, gym, spa, sauna, and an upgraded Ripples café – although locals may have a long wait before they can dive in.
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