The council called for expressions of interest in the iconic sites last July and was swamped with interest. While details of the proposals have not been made public, the Newcastle Herald understands they included proposals for restaurants, kiosks, public amenities, gymnasiums and boutique accommodation.

Some of the proposals are understood to have included grand plans for the Merewether site, comprising hotel accommodation along the beachfront and an underground car park beneath what is now Jefferson Park.

The 1922-built pavilion at Newcastle is heritage listed, so the exterior of the building cannot be changed. It’s a different story at Merewether, however, where the existing pavilion could be demolished to make way for a new development.

The council had its own plans for Merewether but they fell flat last year when the federal government dumped its community development grants scheme, effectively meaning the council could no longer afford the project.

On Tuesday night, the council viewed the expressions of interest behind closed doors before publicly announcing it will proceed will a formal tender process.

Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the council was ‘‘quite impressed’’ with the proposals.

‘‘I believe the community will be very receptive to these ideas for the pavilions once we have selected a preferred tenderer and are able to share the plans,’’ she said.

‘‘As we move through the tender process, we remain mindful that the preferred tenderer must ensure that their proposal’s character and scale are in keeping with the surrounding amenities and is reflective of what the community told us they would like to see in the ocean baths’ pavilions.’’

The tenders will relate only to the pavilions and not the ocean baths themselves.

A community survey conducted last year found that people favoured the inclusion of cafes and kiosks and even a small bar at the pavilions, along with new shaded areas and significant upgrades to toilets, seating and showers.