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.
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.
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.
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
October – December 2020
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July – September 2020
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April – June 2020
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January – March 2020
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October – December 2019
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July – September 2019
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April – June 2019
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