Callan Park tidal pool at Lilyfield receives key approval from Inner West Council

A new swimming spot on the Parramatta River has just received a key tick of approval. See inside the bold plans for what could become a new “Sydney icon”.

Concept design of the Callan Park Tidal Pool.

Lovers of the Bay Run could soon also have the opportunity to take a dip after years and millions of dollars spent rehabilitating Parramatta River.

The Inner West Council has just given a key tick of approval for plans to build a new tidal pool at Callan Park — located in the suburb Lilyfield and a popular spot along the Bay Run.

Under current plans, the Callan Park tidal pool would be 50 metres in length, include swimming lanes, a jetty and two moored pontoons.

There are also no current plans for the tidal pool to be protected by shark nets. Instead the current design is for electronic barriers — a first of their kind in Sydney — to protect swimmers from sharks.

The Callan Park tidal pool is part of The Parramatta River Catchment Group’s (PRCG) vision to make the Parramatta River swimmable again.

Concept of design of the Callan Park tidal pool.

The approval process involved two years of extensive water quality testing, environmental impact research, river depth and floor quality testing and approvals from both Maritime Services and the Environmental Protection Agency.

PRCG Chair and Labor councillor Mark Drury, said that Inner West Council’s commitment to progress the swim site at Callan Point is another key milestone in the mission to make the Parramatta River swimmable again by 2025.

What it could look like from the foreshore.

“We’ve seen the high level of community interest in natural swimming spots following the opening of Bayview Park Baths last year and at Marrinawi Cove at Barangaroo, more recently,” Mr Drury said.

“With average temperatures in Sydney expected to rise by three degrees over the next few decades, the need for more natural places for people and wildlife to escape the heat will be even more important.”

In a statement, Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said the Callan Park tidal pool has the potential to become “a Sydney icon”.

“With its position at the heart of the Bay Run, the Callan Park Tidal Pool can become a Sydney icon,” Mr Byrne said.

“With our location finalised and all approvals now granted, we are ready to partner with the NSW Government to fund the construction of this beautiful, new swim site.”

A total of $1.8 million in State Government funding would be needed for the bold proposal to become reality.

Three more sites are targeted for swimming on the Parramatta River in the next few years. Those sites are Gladesville’s Bedlam Bay, Rhodes’ McIlwaine Park and Putney’s Putney Park.