Recognising Emma McKeon’s Achievements

Share Recognising Emma McKeon’s Achievements on Facebook Share Recognising Emma McKeon’s Achievements on Twitter Share Recognising Emma McKeon’s Achievements on Linkedin Email Recognising Emma McKeon’s Achievements link

Consultation has concluded

Local swimming sensation, Emma McKeon, represented Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She won seven medals, taking her Olympic medal tally to 11. This makes Emma the highest Olympic medal holder in Australia.

Earlier this month we asked the community to provide ideas on how we can recognise the achievements of Emma McKeon. We heard lots of ideas including renaming Western Suburbs Pool, Continental Pools, Blue Mile/Belmore Basin or Allan’s Creek, building an aquatic facility with an Olympic pool in Emma’s honour or establishing a community fund or learn to swim program. There was also strong community sentiment suggesting Emma should decide.

We met with Emma and her family to discuss the proposed ideas and understand Emma’s wishes. Emma was honoured by the support she has received from the community and her preference was to name a location along the Wollongong foreshore such as a viewing platform, small park or seating area.

A range of locations along the foreshore have been investigated. We are pleased to share the two options being considered to recognise Emma’s achievement.

Option (A) Naming the North Beach Promenade and Terraces – This project is currently under construction with Stage 1 completion due in mid -2022. Stage 1 lies in the area directly east of Diggies North Beach kiosk and the north beyond the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club. Interpretative signage would be installed on the promenade.

Image: Artist impression North Beach Promenade and Terraces


Option (B) Naming the Cliff Road viewing platform overlooking the harbour and Continental Pool – The Observation area was constructed around 7 years ago and has excellent views across the Blue Mile Precinct. Interpretative signage would be installed.

Image: Cliff Road viewing platform facing east


Image: Cliff Road viewing platform looking north 

Image: Cliff Road viewing platform looking east across Belmore Basin


We now want to find out from the community if there is anything we need to know about the sites before a decision is made by Council in October.

Join the conversation - let us know your thoughts in the feedback form.

Please read Council's Privacy Policy before submitting your feedback.

Local swimming sensation, Emma McKeon, represented Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She won seven medals, taking her Olympic medal tally to 11. This makes Emma the highest Olympic medal holder in Australia.

Earlier this month we asked the community to provide ideas on how we can recognise the achievements of Emma McKeon. We heard lots of ideas including renaming Western Suburbs Pool, Continental Pools, Blue Mile/Belmore Basin or Allan’s Creek, building an aquatic facility with an Olympic pool in Emma’s honour or establishing a community fund or learn to swim program. There was also strong community sentiment suggesting Emma should decide.

We met with Emma and her family to discuss the proposed ideas and understand Emma’s wishes. Emma was honoured by the support she has received from the community and her preference was to name a location along the Wollongong foreshore such as a viewing platform, small park or seating area.

A range of locations along the foreshore have been investigated. We are pleased to share the two options being considered to recognise Emma’s achievement.

Option (A) Naming the North Beach Promenade and Terraces – This project is currently under construction with Stage 1 completion due in mid -2022. Stage 1 lies in the area directly east of Diggies North Beach kiosk and the north beyond the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club. Interpretative signage would be installed on the promenade.

Image: Artist impression North Beach Promenade and Terraces


Option (B) Naming the Cliff Road viewing platform overlooking the harbour and Continental Pool – The Observation area was constructed around 7 years ago and has excellent views across the Blue Mile Precinct. Interpretative signage would be installed.

Image: Cliff Road viewing platform facing east


Image: Cliff Road viewing platform looking north 

Image: Cliff Road viewing platform looking east across Belmore Basin


We now want to find out from the community if there is anything we need to know about the sites before a decision is made by Council in October.

Join the conversation - let us know your thoughts in the feedback form.

Please read Council's Privacy Policy before submitting your feedback.

Consultation has concluded

  • Wollongong Honours Olympian: Promenade Named After Emma McKeon

    Share Wollongong Honours Olympian: Promenade Named After Emma McKeon on Facebook Share Wollongong Honours Olympian: Promenade Named After Emma McKeon on Twitter Share Wollongong Honours Olympian: Promenade Named After Emma McKeon on Linkedin Email Wollongong Honours Olympian: Promenade Named After Emma McKeon link

    Today, on a picture-perfect day at North Wollongong Beach, Australian swimmer Emma McKeon officially opened the promenade in front of the North Wollongong Surf Club.

    Wrapping up the official proceedings, Emma and Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM, revealed the plaque that carries her name.

    The Emma McKeon AM Promenade recognises Emma, who holds more gold medals than any Australian athlete and is currently Young Australian of the Year.

    The decision to name the promenade after Emma came from the local community after her success at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.


    Thank you to all those who made a submission and were part of the process to recognise Emma’s achievements.

    Emma said that Wollongong held a special place in her heart, and she was very grateful to the ongoing and passionate support she received from her hometown.

    “I feel so very lucky to have grown up in Wollongong and been part of a community that is so supportive,’’ she said.

    “It seems quite surreal to think that this beautiful promenade will carry my name and I just hope that it inspires others to follow their dreams. If I think back to that little girl who used to come to this beach with my family as a kid, she never would have dreamt of this happening.

    “Thank you to all those who have supported me over the years – there is something really special about knowing your hometown has your back.’’

  • Council decision

    Share Council decision on Facebook Share Council decision on Twitter Share Council decision on Linkedin Email Council decision link
    supporting image

    At its meeting on 18 October 2021, Council decided to name the North Beach Promenade and Terraces in honour of local swimming superstar Emma McKeon. Read the media release for details.

  • Council to decide on preferred option next week

    Share Council to decide on preferred option next week on Facebook Share Council to decide on preferred option next week on Twitter Share Council to decide on preferred option next week on Linkedin Email Council to decide on preferred option next week link
    supporting image

    A report is going to Council next Monday 18 October. It recommends that Council determine the preferred option to acknowledge the achievements of Emma McKeon.

    In the second engagement phase, the community was invited to provide local knowledge for consideration in the final decision. It was also an opportunity to gauge community sentiment. We used social media, direct email and the Register of Interest (Sport) to promote the opportunity. More than 70 people provided feedback.

    Option A - Naming the North Beach Promenade and Terraces
    Feedback regarding Option A suggested the location provides a connection to Emma’s love of the beach and water. People thought the area’s high visitation would allow greater exposure to Emma's achievements. It was suggested the location will be more accessible. Comments were also received suggesting the location should instead be used to honour someone involved with surf lifesaving or surfing.

    Option B - Naming the Cliff Road viewing platform overlooking the harbour and Continental Pools
    Feedback regarding Option B suggested the location provides a space for people to meet, relax and read about Emma without distractions. It was suggested this reflects Emma’s style, ‘contemplative, serene and reflective’. It was also suggested naming may interfere with the cultural heritage linked to Cliff Road and the remnants underneath the viewing platform.

    Councillors will decide on their preferred option at the meeting on Monday. The Agenda and Business Paper are published on Council’s website. If you're interested in seeing Council's decision-making processes in action, you can watch the meeting online from 6pm at http://webcasts.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/.