What you can build over your backyard after pool removal depends on the fill method: a full pool removal opens up every option on this list, while a partial fill-in limits you to non-habitable structures until the shell is fully removed. Most Newcastle and Lake Macquarie homeowners who go through the effort of removing a pool then spend weeks wondering what to do with the space; this guide presents eight practical, realistic ideas to help you decide. For the landscaping specifics, see pool removal and landscaping after.
Idea 1: Level lawn & shade tree
The simplest and most popular option. A level lawn over the filled pool area restores usable backyard space for the whole family, costs the least to establish, and maintains maximum flexibility for future changes. Pair it with a fast-growing shade tree (a Port Jackson fig, a jacaranda, or a lilly pilly) planted off-centre from the old pool footprint, and within 5-7 years you have a genuinely pleasant outdoor space.
Pros: Low cost, fast to establish, suits all ages, suits all soil conditions. Cons: No strong ‘purpose’; requires mowing. Best for families who just want open space back.
See turf and lawn restoration after pool removal for topsoil depth, turf variety, and watering guidance specific to the Hunter, and our best turf varieties over a filled pool guide for which grass actually suits the full-sun, freshly compacted conditions of an old pool footprint specifically.
Idea 2: Outdoor entertaining deck
A timber or composite deck turns the pool area into an outdoor room. Pool footprints often sit in the sunnier part of the backyard, which makes them natural spots for afternoon entertaining.
Things to know: A deck on a filled pool site should be built on footings that an engineer or certifier has approved for the ground conditions. If you have a compaction certificate from the pool removal, this is usually straightforward. For decks above 600mm off the ground, you will generally need a building approval (CDC or DA).
Pros: Adds immediate perceived value, suits entertaining, works in all seasons under a pergola. Cons: Requires engineering input over filled ground; ongoing maintenance for timber.
Does removing a pool and adding a deck add value? Read does removing a pool add value to your home for an honest take.
Idea 3: Veggie garden or edible beds
The pool footprint is often the sunniest spot in the backyard, which makes it excellent for food growing. Raised beds over a filled pool avoid any concerns about root penetration into fill layers and give you full control over soil quality.
What works well: Raised beds 300-400mm deep over landscape fabric, filled with quality vegetable mix. Fruit trees in large pots or planted in deeper beds. A chook run along one side.
Things to know: Avoid planting directly into fill; the compacted material is not suitable for vegetables. A raised bed structure keeps edible roots in known-quality growing medium.
Pros: High daily utility, food production, suits small backyards. Cons: Requires ongoing input (watering, fertilising, crop rotation).
Sustainable Gardening Australia has useful guidance on productive garden design for Australian climates.
Idea 3.5: Pond or Water Garden Feature
Some homeowners want to keep a water feature rather than lose it entirely. Rather than converting the existing pool shell into a pond, which still carries the same NSW fencing obligation as a swimming pool if it retains 300mm or more of depth, a shallow decorative pond built into a fully backfilled and reclaimed area avoids that ongoing compliance burden while still giving you moving water and planting. See our pool to pond conversion guide for a full comparison of converting the existing shell versus starting fresh over removed and backfilled ground.
Pros: Keeps a water feature without the pool’s fencing obligation, if built shallow and from scratch. Attracts birdlife. Cons: Still needs occasional water quality upkeep; not a swimming feature.
Idea 4: Native garden for Hunter conditions
A native garden using locally indigenous species is low-maintenance once established, supports local birds and pollinators, and looks genuinely spectacular in spring. The Hunter has a rich palette of local species: banksias, grevilleas, lilly pillies, wattles, and native grasses suit the local climate and soil.
What to consider: Native plants in a former pool footprint will be growing in fill, not undisturbed soil. This is workable but choose species tolerant of compacted ground or amend the top 400-500mm with organic matter and native-specific fertiliser before planting.
Pros: Very low water use once established, wildlife habitat, no mowing. Cons: Slower to establish than a lawn; some species sensitive to compacted fill.
Idea 5: Kids play zone / cubby
The pool space becomes an excellent, defined kids’ play area: a cubby house, a trampoline, a sandpit and some shade. This works particularly well when the pool footprint is at one end of the yard, away from the house.
Things to know: A cubby or play structure on footings over filled ground should be assessed for the fill quality. Most lightweight play structures require no formal approval, but check with your council if a cubby is over 10 sqm or over 1.8m in height.
Pros: High-use family space, keeps equipment organised in one zone. Cons: Temporary: kids grow up. Design with the next phase in mind.
Idea 6: Firepit & seating
A firepit area is one of the most-used, lowest-effort additions to a Hunter backyard. A gravel or paving base, a permanent firepit ring, and some outdoor seating create an all-season gathering space.
What to know: Check your local council’s rules on open fires. Many Newcastle and Lake Macquarie properties are subject to total fire bans during high-risk periods. A gas firepit avoids this issue entirely. No building approval is typically needed for a gravel or paving area without a structure.
Pros: Low cost, year-round use, no approval needed for most setups. Cons: Fire safety compliance in summer; smoke impacts on neighbours.
Want to take this further into a full entertaining zone with a pergola over the top? Our dedicated guide on building a fire pit, pergola or entertaining area after pool removal covers the base and footing detail for exactly that combination.
Idea 7: Granny flat / studio (with caveats)
If your block and zoning allow it, a granny flat over the old pool site is the highest-value use of the space. In NSW, secondary dwellings up to 60 sqm are permitted on most residential lots over 450 sqm under the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP.
The big caveat: A habitable structure over a filled pool site almost always requires full pool shell removal (not partial fill-in), certified compaction, a geotechnical report, and engineer-designed footings. See building a shed or garage over a filled-in pool and geotechnical report after pool fill-in for what this involves, and our granny flat over old pool site guide for a detailed look at the footing systems typically used.
Pros: Very high value addition; rental income potential. Cons: Most complex option; requires engineering, DA or CDC, and often the most thorough fill preparation.
For the underlying detail on what building over a filled pool requires, see building over a filled-in pool.
Idea 8: Extra parking / workshop slab
A hardstand area for an extra vehicle, caravan, boat, or trailer is a practical and under-rated use of pool space. A concrete slab with access from the side or rear yard solves a perennial Hunter problem: nowhere to put the boat. If the ambition is a garage or carport rather than just a hardstand, see our dedicated guide on what the slab needs to build a garage over a filled-in pool for the footing and compaction detail that decision involves.
What to know: A driveway or hardstand requires council approval if it involves a new vehicle crossing (kerb cut). A slab entirely within the property boundary may be exempt development. A structural engineer should assess footing requirements for a slab over filled pool ground.
Pros: Highly practical, no ongoing maintenance, often increases appeal to buyers. Cons: Permanent; limits future flexibility.
For all of these options, the key starting point is knowing what fill type and compaction you have. If the pool was removed recently and you have the compaction documentation, you are ready to plan. If not, speak with a geotechnical engineer before committing to a design.
Get a free quote to discuss your pool removal and what comes next.
FAQs
Does the type of pool fill affect which ideas are possible?
Yes, significantly. Full removal with engineered fill opens all eight options. A partial fill-in (pool shell left in place) limits you to lighter, non-habitable structures like lawn, garden, or a light shed until the shell is fully removed. Check with a certifier before committing.
What is the cheapest backyard option after pool removal?
A simple lawn is the cheapest and fastest, typically $15-$35 per square metre for turf supply and lay. A native garden using direct planting from pots can cost less, but takes longer to establish. A firepit area on gravel is also low-cost and high-reward.
How long does it take to establish a lawn over a filled pool?
Turf typically knits within 3-4 weeks and is fully established (with a robust root system) within 2-3 months. Some visible settlement in the pool footprint is normal in the first 12 months; top-dress with sandy loam to level.
Can I plant large trees over a filled pool site?
Avoid deep-rooted trees directly over the fill for the first 2-3 years, until the fill has fully consolidated. Small ornamentals, native shrubs, or raised-bed plantings are safer in the first years. For a large shade tree, plant it at the perimeter of the old pool footprint rather than above the deepest part.
Do I need council approval for a firepit or raised garden beds?
Generally no, for either. Open fires are subject to burn-off rules and total fire ban declarations, but a domestic firepit in a backyard does not require approval in most Hunter councils. Raised garden beds are not regulated structures.
What adds the most value after pool removal?
It depends on the market and property type. In family-oriented suburbs, usable lawn and play space consistently test well with buyers. In inner suburbs with older demographics, an entertainting deck or native garden often appeals more. A granny flat adds the most measurable dollar value but has the highest upfront cost and complexity.