Through heritage preservation and coastal rehabilitation works, the council is taking steps to ensure its ocean baths remain viable community assets and icons into the future.

Merewether Baths is undergoing a major upgrade and refurbishment.

The expressions of interest process for the pavilion seeks private sector participation in redeveloping and activating the facilities supporting the upgraded baths.

Similarly, the council is seeking expressions of interest for the redevelopment of Newcastle Baths pavilion and surrounds to further enhance this section of the coastal rehabilitation project.

The council has started preliminary works on the Bathers Way from Nobbys to Zaara Street and a tender is expected to be let for a significant portion of the civil works this month.

The ocean baths will benefit from renewal and activation of these popular public facilities.

The council will assess the expressions of interests with respect for existing local heritage elements, site activation, consistency and sympathy with coastal areas.

The council wants to protect the historic character of the baths while offering modern community amenities.

It has conducted community consultation to ask what people would like at the ocean baths and the council is providing that data to potential redevelopers.

Expressions of interest are sought for the pavilion sites and surrounding spaces. The actual ocean baths are not included.

Expressions of interest are open until 2pm Tuesday, October 28.

Documentation may be viewed online at tenderlink.com.au or hard copies are available from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday at the front desk of the City Administration Centre, 282 King Street, Newcastle.