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Home/Our plan for the River/Masterplan Dashboard/3. Create new swimming spots

3. Create new swimming spots

Overview

Our goal is to create three new swimming spots by 2025. To achieve this involves working out all potential options, then choosing the best three based on feasibility, vulnerability and desirability.

City of Canada Bay, City of Ryde and Inner West Council are working towards opening these new swim sites along the River. We are implementing the swim site activation framework to ensure that these sites will be suitable.

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 December 2020.

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 that is located 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. A UNSW study is looking at the suitability of swimming at Callan Park.

 

Progress Timeline

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

Masterplan Dashboard