Ryde Council dismisses fears over Parramatta River boardwalk
Plans to build an uninterrupted boardwalk throughout Ryde Council have been dismissed after a group claimed it would rob some residents of privacy and waterfront access.
Plans to build an uninterrupted boardwalk throughout Ryde Council have been dismissed after a group claimed it would rob some residents of privacy and waterfront access.
Waterfront Action Group president George Citer said the council had plans to construct a boardwalk through all its waterfront suburbs along the Parramatta River.
He said that was in addition to its decision in March to complete the final piece of the Ryde River Walk that would connect Bill Mitchell Park and Ross St at Tennyson Point.
There are 220 waterfront properties in the Ryde area and Mr Citer said a region-wide boardwalk would encroach on residents’ properties, be built on RMS land and look ugly.
“They can’t do that on private properties,’’ he said.
“They can’t build on RMS leases. A lot of these waterfronts have jetties and pontoons so this means they’re going to build above the water in front of these jetties and put concrete pillars down, and because you’re dealing with deep water, there’s going to be fences and balustrades along the boardwalk. This is going to look terrible.
“We’re concerned this will set a precedent for the rest of NSW.”
The RMS said it or Transport for NSW had not received plans that were tabled at a February 26 council meeting.
The plans called for the council to explore ways to complete an uninterrupted riverside boardwalk with state and federal government funding.
RydeMayor Jerome Laxale slammed the Waterfront Action Group and rubbished plans for a longer boardwalk.
He said there was only approval and funds allocated towards Ryde River Walk.
“He’s (Mr Citer) trying to torpedo plans to finish the River Walk, which is a facility used by the residents of Ryde,’’ he said.
“We will not be dictated by a group whose president lives in Seaforth. I will not have a bar of it. Our community wants this boardwalk.”
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Cr Laxale said the community overwhelmingly favoured the Ryde River Walk’s completion and insisted it would not be built on private property.
“This is something that should have been completed five years ago,’’ he said.
“They want to be able access the waterfront, they want to be able to complete the River Walk.”
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