A ‘‘piece of history’’ on the shores of Botany Bay could have quietly disappeared had Neil Johnson not taken his camera on an early morning walk last week.
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At sunrise on Thursday, Mr Johnson photographed the final moments of the last remaining section of the original Ramsgate sea baths built in 1950.
An excavator moved in to remove the 15-metre long timber and iron remnant, which Rockdale Council thought was a public danger.
Mr Johnson, a recently retired IT manager who lives at Monterey, took his camera on his beachfront walk in case there was a repeat of the the previous morning’s ‘‘sensational’’ sunrise.
‘‘I managed to get a few shots before the excavator started dismantling it,’’ he said.
‘‘It was only a bit of timber and iron, but a piece of history has gone, I suppose.’’
Mr Johnson, who grew up at Brighton-Le-Sands, remembers the original baths as well as the indoor baths on the other side of The Grand Parade, where Coles supermarket is located.
He thought Rockdale Council made the right decision.
‘‘They are putting public safety first, as this area is very busy with swimmers and especially on weekends with kids and the Nippers,’’ he said.
A council spokesman said the structure had deteriorated over time and was assessed as a public risk.
New netting was being installed to fill the gap.
‘‘The project will cost $10,000 and be fully funded by council,’’ he said.
CHANGING SHAPE
A plaque on the foreshore said the area was used for ‘‘sea water bathing’’ since the 1930s.
The original baths were constructed in 1950 and demolished in 1973. Enlarged baths were constructed in 1975, incorporating the 1950 baths. These baths were substantially modified in 1999 by removing all but 10 piers and installing a floating net.
Do you remember the original baths? Did the council do the right thing?
