Parramatta River could be swimmable by 2025 if catchment group’s plans come off

FOR decades the focus has been on cleaning up Sydney’s beaches. Now a mission is underway to make Parramatta River fit for swimming in ten years time.

Swimmers cooling off at Parramatta Lake during the hot weather. If there are no swimmers, pic of the reserve, ropes hanging off trees etc. Pics to go with story about making the river swimmable again.

FOR decades the focus has been on cleaning up Sydney’s beaches. Now the time has come to look at Parramatta River and make it swimmable by 2025.

Fifty years ago, diving into the river was not uncommon, now it’s largely considered a health hazard because of pollution from factories and stormwater.

The water quality is gradually improving, and the Parramatta River Catchment Group is pushing ahead to make it a “living river” once again.

A map comparing current and 1950s swimming spots.

Parramatta council voted to support the group’s vision on Monday night and it has the potential not only to transform the area, but also how the rest of Sydney views its second CBD.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Scott Lloyd, who is also chair of the catchment group, is convinced it can be done.

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“We weren’t just there to have meetings, the consensus was there that we wanted a river that was swimmable…you’d be able to walk down to it and dip your toes in,” he said.

Little Coogee in Parramatta Park was a popular swimming spot in the 1940s. Picture: Parramatta Park and Western Sydney Parklands Trust.

Little Coogee Beach as it is today. Picture: Tracee Lea

Cycleways and walking tracks are going to play a big part in helping the river come to life, Cr Lloyd said.“There’s no point having a beautiful, pristine river, if you can’t get to it,” he said.

While swimming in spots such as the place once known as Little Coogee in Parramatta Park may not happen overnight, there are parts if the river where it’s looking more promising.,

“We have got sections in the east that are not far off it,” Cr Lloyd said.

Rubbish and pollution is a problem for Parramatta River.

Lake Parramatta is one place, many people don’t know about, but is already swimmable in some circumstances.

“Lake Parramatta is similar to the beaches, where after rainfall, it’s good to steer away from it,” Cr Lloyd said.

“We are looking holistically (at the river), you don’t know if every spot will be up to it.”

Swimmers take the plunge at Parramatta Lake during the hot weather.

Parramatta River runs through Parramatta Park where it used to be a popular swim spot.

C r Lloyd said there had been poor planning around Parramatta River in the past that failed to take advantage of the waterway.

He said the catchment group had been working hard over the years putting in place measures to stop rubbish getting into the water.

“Our river is so much cleaner and it gets cleaner every year...it’s because we have got traps to collect waste from stormwater,” he said.

A woman cools off in Parramatta River near Speers Rd in 1954.

“These environmental measures, haven’t happened overnight and the water quality is improving.”

“At the end of the day everyone wants the river to go back to how it was and we have done more in the last 10 years than in the past and we’ll continue on with the good work.”

Auburn Council has also agreed to back the catchment group plan and nominate a campaign ambassador.