Carolyn Allen has swum laps with Olympic medallists and dog paddlers in the Dawn Fraser Baths for four decades.

But a stand-off between Inner West councillors over how to fund $6.7 million of repairs has left residents such as Ms Allen concerned about the future of Australia’s oldest pool.

"I am worried that they will condemn the Southern Pavilion and close the pool and then it will be demolition by neglect," she said.

Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain needs $6.7 million in urgent repairs. Credit:Brook Mitchell

"The mayor clearly wants the pool saved and all the councillors think this a special place. It is more the interplay between them and political point-scoring that will prevent funds being spent on the Dawny."