New Parramatta River swimming sites in three years

THE inner west could get three new swimming sites on the Parramatta River within seven years.

Ch'aska Cuba de Reed, Ziggy Lumley Tow, Luca Ward and Mia Evans Rorris hope to one day be able to swim in the Parramatta River at Callan Park. AAP Image / Julian Andrews

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THE inner west could get three new swimming sites on the Parramatta River within seven years.

Inner West Council will consider paying a team from UNSW almost $45,000 to fast-track water quality testing at Callan Park at the seawall west of Callan Point and the old baths to see whether it’s safe to take a dip.

It comes after last month’s release of the Parramatta River Masterplan which aims to make three other sites swimmable by 2025; at McIlwaine Park in Rhodes East, Bayview Park in Concord and Putney Park.

A cornerstone of the plan will be maintaining, improving and creating new habitat for plants and animals, especially five river “mascots”; the eastern long-necked turtle, southern myotis, bar-tailed godwit, powerful owl and striped marsh frog.

“If we help them thrive, then our river will thrive too,” the plan states.

It also aims to reduce stormwater run-off and improve overflows to reduce sewerage, pollution and rubbish flowing into the river — a major issue in recent years as development has surged across the region.

The old Leichhardt Baths at Leichhardt Park circa 1920.

Parramatta River Catchment Group chair Mark Drury said the key was bringing together all the government agencies and councils who are responsible for the river to agree on the way forward — with Sydney Water to take the lead.

“Because it’s no surprise that if you’ve got 35 bodies responsible for something, you’ve got a recipe for not much happening,” Mr Drury said.

“It’s about getting the science and everyone to work together to give us the cleanest possible river; so clean that you’ll be able to swim in it.

“All the indications are the river would be safe to swim in (at Callan Park) but we would want the scientific data to absolutely demonstrate that.”

Parramatta River Catchment Group chair Mark Drury is one of the people working hard behind the scenes to improve the health of the river.

A Sydney Water spokesman said they were committed to being the lead agency to drive the delivery of the masterplan.

“Many beaches on the Parramatta River are suitable for swimming for more than 90 per cent of the time, although water quality can be impacted by pollution from stormwater and wastewater overflows,” he said.

“We expect monitoring to show that Callan Park, like nearby Dawn Fraser Pool, to be suitable for swimming for about 97 per cent of the time.”

“We are committed to working with the Parramatta River Catchment Group, the EPA and relevant Councils to determine the best combination of measures to ensure that this site is suitable for swimming in the future.”

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Sydney Water encourages the public to follow the advice from the Department of Environment and Heritage, to avoid swimming during and for three days after rainfall or for as long as stormwater is present.

The plan also encourages people to use current swimming sites at Cabarita Park beach, Chiswick Baths, Dawn Fraser Baths and Lake Parramatta.

Have your say on the plan by November 29 by email: [e-mail] or go online: ourlivingriver.com.au.