Beloved rock pool unrecognisable for weeks after 'challenging' situation

Hundreds of Aussie swimmers are set to have their beloved rock pool back after it was left unrecognisable following a huge dumping of sand.

Wollongong City Council confirmed to Yahoo News Australia Towradgi rock pool will finally be cleared out from Monday after most of it was left submerged in sand for more than a month.

Council says a lack of East Coast lows has meant the coastline south of Sydney has been inundated with sand, with the weather pattern responsible for coastal erosion and the removal of sand.

Remarkable images of the pool show the extent of the issue, with the entry railings seen peeking out from the sand – with locals desperate to get back in the water at a spot they say is a major hub for the community.

The job to clear the sand will be a "significant" challenge, with council's recent clearance of Bulli rock pool unprecedented. Five hundred tonnes of sand was removed with the use of an excavator at the pool for the first time in history.

Council revealed to Yahoo the clean up at Towradgi will take about a week, and the delay in clearing the sand was due to the complexities of the job, with the perfect conditions needed to complete it. "Rock pools are particularly challenging when it comes to cleaning and maintenance," they said.

• Shark startles surfer in close encounter at popular Aussie beach

• Warning to always 'check rock pools' after little boy's deadly beach encounter

• Aussies stumped as rare lethal octopus washes up on Darwin beach

Locals suggest permanent fix to problem

The state of the pool has sparked debate amongst locals, with some questioning the council over what they say is a problem becoming increasingly common. One resident suggested efforts to empty the pool were futile due to how quickly sand can return.

"Council definitely needs to build some kind of wall on the southern side of the pool," one person suggested.

"It’s called nature! Not councils fault," one person hit back, saying the clean up team worked tirelessly to maintain the area's pools.

While council did not respond to questioning about possible long-term solutions to keeping the region's pools free of sand, it did acknowledge their importance to the community.

"The city’s nine rock pools hold a special place in the hearts of those who call Wollongong home," a council spokesperson said.

Wollongong councillors recently indicated they would prioritise the consideration of extra funding for the area's pools, seeking further funding from the state government, the Illawarra Mercury reported.

The spokesperson also stressed the team maintaining the pools have "years of experience" handling the conditions. They added one positive of the recent conditions was that there would be more space on beaches due to the extra sand moving into summer.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.