Rock, slope and access
Northern Beaches backyards are often the opposite of flat. Pools were cut into sandstone shelves, built on terraces, or sit behind retaining walls halfway down a hill.
What that means
Sandstone. Shells cast against rock. The concrete comes out; the rock generally stays.
Slope. Smaller machines, benching, and loads moved uphill or downhill to the street.
Narrow access. Side paths, stairs and no driveway to the backyard are common. Conveyors, mini excavators and hand breaking are normal.
Streets. Narrow and winding, with limited truck parking.
Retaining walls. Assessed before anything changes.
Fill-in versus full removal
On steep sites with poor access, a fill-in can save a lot of carting. Where the area might be built on — a studio, granny flat or extension — full removal is usually still the better long-term choice.
Drainage
Beaches blocks carry a lot of water in storms. Removed or filled pools need drainage planned so water does not collect against retaining walls or run into neighbours' yards.
Council
Northern Beaches Council. Some properties carry coastal, bushfire, landslip or biodiversity considerations. See approvals.
Suburbs covered
Manly, Balgowlah, Seaforth, Dee Why, Curl Curl, Collaroy, Narrabeen, Cromer, Beacon Hill, Frenchs Forest, Belrose, Terrey Hills, Mona Vale, Newport, Avalon, Bilgola and Palm Beach.
Costs
Priced from the site. See the 2026 cost bands.
Call 02 6422 4202 or send your pool details through.
Other parts of Sydney
Questions people ask before they commit
Why does pool removal cost more on the Northern Beaches?
Steep blocks, narrow side access, pools cut into sandstone and retaining walls all slow the work and limit machine size. Streets can be narrow for trucks too. Individual sites vary widely.
Can a pool cut into rock be fully removed?
Usually the concrete shell can be removed, but the surrounding rock generally stays. Whether the resulting hollow is backfilled, landscaped or used for something else depends on the plans.
What about retaining walls?
Pools on sloping blocks often rely on retaining walls, and the pool itself may be helping hold ground. Changes to levels can affect stability, so walls are assessed and engineering advice sought where needed.
Do you work in Manly and Pittwater?
Yes, across the Northern Beaches from Manly and Balgowlah to Avalon and Palm Beach, and inland to Frenchs Forest and Terrey Hills.