Concerned swimmers, Kitt Rumsey, Cathy Spurrier, Scott Robertson, Amy Levinson, Wayne Pascoe, Nick Campbell, Lyn Campbell, Nicole Lennon, Claire Ridley and Judy Blackburn (obscured). Picture by Murray Trembath

Regular swimmers at Shelly Beach Ocean Pool have raised concerns about council plans for a new concrete disability access ramp.

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The proposed ramp would extend into the water up to three-quarters of the way along the northern wall.

Members of the Brass Monkeys early morning swim club believe the ramp would be a safety risk in conditions other than very calm seas, and would change the self-cleansing tidal flow in the pool.

Nicole Lennon (left), Claire Ridley, Amy Levinson and Lyn Campbell at Shelly Beach pool, with the existing access ramp behind them. Picture by Murray Trembath

They advocate other options, such as slightly extending and adjusting the existing central ramp to make it compliant with standards, or flexible matting for wheelchairs, which is already used at Gunnamatta Bay baths.

Critics of the proposal include a regular swimmer who is a longstanding board member of a major disability services provider.

A Sutherland Shire Council spokeswoman said the ramp design aimed to "carefully balance the needs of lap swimmers with improved access to the pool for people of all abilities".

"Alternative options, including upgrading the existing central ramp, were assessed and found to be either non-compliant or more intrusive into the pool area, and therefore, a greater impact to pool users and beachgoers," she said.

The proposed ramp would extend three-quarters of the way along the northern wall. Picture supplied

The spokeswoman said a coastal engineer, independent accessibility experts and the lifeguards team were supportive of the plans.

The swimmers are calling on the council to pause the project and consult directly with regular users, who "know the pool best".

Nicole Lennon said the pool was "a rare natural asset and should not be altered without the utmost care and respect for its unique qualities".

"Unlike many ocean pools that require frequent mechanical cleaning and ongoing maintenance, Shelly pool sustains its own natural ecosystem," she said.

"It is flushed twice daily by the tides, creating a self-renewing environment that supports marine life along its internal walls and surrounding surfaces.

"It is not simply a swimming pool - it is a functioning coastal ecosystem and a treasured community space.

"Any proposed works must prioritise preserving the pool's natural tidal flow, marine biodiversity, character, and swimming experience."

Glenn Coleman, a board member of Civic Disability Services for more than 13 years. said he fully supported the provision of accessible facilities, but the ramp would be a major safety risk.

"When tides exceed one metre - around half the time -swell regularly enters the pool over the outer eastern wall," he said in a letter to councillors.

"In common swell conditions over 1.2 metres, the water coming over the wall moves south to north, and in conditions of 1.5 metre swell or higher, swimmers are frequently washed over the northern wall because of this water movement.

Disability access matting is already used by Sutherland Shire Council. Picture supplied

"Regular users know to avoid the north wall in big swell."

The council spokeswoman said a key them of extensive community consultation was the need to improve access - making stairs safer, paths wheelchair accessible and upgrading the existing accessible pool ramp.

The northern edge of the pool had been selected as the preferred location for a ramp as "this would minimise impacts on swimmers and the adjacent beach while providing the required gradient and entry depth for safe, unassisted access".

"This location also provides closer access to connecting pathways and amenities," she said.

"Council understands that lap swimming at the Shelly Beach Ocean Pool is an important part of many people's regular fitness and wellbeing routine.

"Maintaining space for lap swimming as much as possible has been a key consideration in the ramp design."

The spokeswoman said, "As the project moves into detailed design, the council would continue to explore opportunities to shorten the ramp where possible, considering requirements for landings, depth and safety features.

"A coastal engineer has reviewed the proposed design and confirmed that the ramp is not expected to affect wave behaviour or sand movement within the pool, and that there are no coastal engineering constraints that would prevent the ramp being located or designed as proposed," she said.

"Independent accessibility experts have also been consulted including disability service providers, carers groups, and Council's Access and Inclusion Reference Group to ensure current accessibility standards are met and follow universal design principles.

"Council's Ocean Safety and Lifeguards team have been consulted and consider the ramp location fit for purpose."