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3. Create new swimming spots

Overview

Our goal is to create at least three new swimming spots by 2025. To achieve this we have worked with foreshore Councils and the community to identify sites, then prioritise them based on their feasibility, vulnerability and desirability.

City of Canada Bay, Hunter’s Hill, City of Ryde and Inner West Councils are working towards opening new swim sites along the river. We are monitoring water and sediment quality to ensure these sites are suitable for recreation.

Recommendation

Establish three new swimming sites on the Parramatta River by 2025.

Timeframe

From now to 2025.

Lead Agencies

Swim site land managers.

Current Measure

To establish three new swimming sites on the Parramatta River by 2025.

Status Update

Bayview Park

Bayview Park is located on the western edge of Hen and Chicken Bay. The proposed swim site will include a netted enclosure extending to the south of the existing jetty. City of Canada Bay plans to spend $300,000 on site activation and work will be completed by March 2021.

Site activation progress

McIlwaine Park

McIlwaine Park sits alongside Brays Bay Reserve in the City of Canada Bay. The area includes a restaurant and café, walkways, a fenced toddler playground, BBQs, toilets and picnic facilities. Access is off Concord Road at Rhodes.

The swim site will be used for kayaking and boating and is part of the McIlwaine Park foreshore upgrade and Brays Bay river access project. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2021/2022.

Site activation progress

Putney Park

Putney Park is popular for family gatherings, with lovely views of the river, two playgrounds, a water splash play area and plenty of places to have a picnic. Ryde Council has committed $310,000 over the next three years to activate the site, by providing access from the park to the sandy beach on the River.

Site activation progress

Callan Park

Callan Park sits on the former grounds of Rozelle Hospital on the Iron Cove foreshore at Lilyfield. This site is under investigation as a potential swim site. Beachwatch currently monitors water quality around the site to assess its suitability for swimming.

Bedlam Bay

Bedlam Bay sits on the foreshore of Parramatta River Regional Park next to Gladesville Hospital. Hunter’s Hill Council has begun investigating this site as a new potential swim site. Sydney Water has begun monitoring water quality to assess the site’s suitability for swimming.

Progress Timeline

April – June 2021

  • EnRisk engaged by Ryde and Hunter’s Hill Councils to undertake chemical sampling and develop Human Health Risk Assessments (HHRA).
  • Bayview Park anticipated to open in the 2021/22 swim season.
  • McIlwaine Park anticipated to open in the 2021/22 swim season.
  • Bedlam Bay opening planned for late 2021/22 swim season.
  • Putney Park – construction of steps ongoing due to contractor delays.
January – March 2021

  • EnRisk engaged by other priority swim site councils (except City of Ryde) to undertake chemical sampling and develop HHRA.
  • Bayview Park timeline for opening has been delayed as a Development Application (DA) is required.
October – December 2020

  • Bayview Park – community consultation finalised.
  • Putney Park – construction of steps expected to be completed in early 2021. Internal bid currently underway to fund additional site infrastructure such as netting.
  • Bedlam Bay – engaged to begin Human Health Risk Assessments, assessing funding opportunities for netting and other site infrastructure.
July – September 2020

  • Bayview Park – community consultation was put on hold due to COVID-19. City of Canada Bay is planning to conduct online community engagement for the site in September with construction estimated to rak place between January-April 2021.
  • McIlwaine Park – preparing tender documents to be released in late August. A six-month construction period is expected with completion by late 2021.
  • Putney Park site steps expected to be completed by October 2020. City of Ryde to confirm if the site will be launched as a swim site.
April – June 2020

  • Quotes have been received to develop the Human Health Risk Assessments at each of the three sites.
  • Bayview Park – community consultation has been put on hold due to COVID-19. We are still anticipating to progress with the concept design when restrictions have eased.
  • McIlwaine Park – draft construction plans currently under review. Council is hoping to go to tender in June 2020.
January – March 2020

  • Received Callan Park Environmental Health Risk Assessment report from UNSW, which has been referred to NSW Health, the EPA, and DPIE.
October – December 2019

  • City of Ryde and City of Canada Bay progressed design and construction plans for activation of swimming sites.
  • Sanitary inspections completed for Putney Park, McIlwaine Park and Bayview Park.
July – September 2019

  • City of Canada Bay held community consultation event at McIlwaine Park.
  • City of Ryde and City of Canada Bay progressed design and construction plans for activation of swimming sites.
April – June 2019

  • City of Ryde and City of Canada Bay progressed design and construction plans for activation of swimming sites.

Useful Links

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