Parramatta River swimming spots revealed ahead of grand plans
TWELVE new spots have been identified as possible swimming and recreational spots along the Parramatta River. Find out how far you’re going to have to travel for a dip.
Parramatta
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EXCLUSIVE: Twelve new spots have been identified as possible swimming and recreational spots in the Parramatta River catchment.
The Parramatta River masterplan isn’t revealed until October but speculation is already mounting around what the document will reveal.
If the new Our Living River website is anything to go by, there are a number of locations from as far west as Lake Parramatta to Woolwich, that have been flagged as ideal natural swimming spots.
With four sites already “open for business”, the 12 new sites have been scoped and investigated for their water quality, swim safety, ecological health and community interest. Initial sediment screening is already underway at six of the proposed swimming sites.
These include Silverwater Park Silverwater, Memorial Park in Meadowbank, Kissing Point Park and Putney Park, both in Putney, Quarantine Reserve in Abbotsford along with Bayview Park Concord and Callan Park Rozelle.
There are long-term plans to improve Little Coogee, Parramatta CBD and Macarthur St bridge, all based in Parramatta, for swimmers and “river bank activation”.
It is also possible that other sites in the upper river will open up but more innovative solutions are required to make them swimmable.
Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) chairman Mark Drury said the river was home to some of the most picturesque bays, parks, picnic areas, swimming sites and spots for water sports.
“As we work towards completing our masterplan for a swimmable Parramatta River, our new website will play an important role in keeping the community up to date with the latest news and developments,” he said.
The Parramatta River Catchment Group has launched its new Our Living River website which coincides with its “10 steps to a living river” as a predecessor to the masterplan.
The 10 steps focus on swimming, water monitoring, standard policies across the 11 councils that share the river, reducing stormwater run-off, improving overflows, involving the community, improving habitats for wildlife and creating leadership.
Sydney Water has been identified as the best organisation to lead the alliance of councils, three state governments and support from many others.
The PRCG is an alliance of councils, government agencies and community groups who, through the Our Living River initiative, are working together to make the Parramatta River swimmable again by 2025.
Councils involved include Hunters Hill, Canada Bay, Inner West, Canterbury Bankstown, Burwood, Strathfield, Ryde, Parramatta, Cumberland, Hills and Blacktown.
The centrepiece of the Our Living River website is an interactive map that allows users to find swimming spots, parks, playgrounds, walking and cycling paths, Bushcare groups, Rivercat wharves and sightseeing locations.
The final Parramatta River masterplan will be open for public exhibition from Thursday, October 18.
Website: ourlivingriver.com.au
JUST KEEP SWIMMING
● Lake Parramatta, North Parramatta: opened to swimmers and water recreational activities in 2015 after being closed for 72 years. You can swim, hire non-motorised boating facilities, play in the playground, go on a bushwalk, use the barbecue and picnic facilities or make use of the kiosk
● Little Coogee, Parramatta: the site was a popular swimming spot back in the 1880s. The tree-lined riverbank is currently not being considered for swimming but there is future opportunity for land-based and river bank activity
● Parramatta CBD, Parramatta: used for recreational boating including canoe polo events. Potential for further riverfront activation
● Macarthur St Bridge, Parramatta: a narrow reserve with ample tree shade. While swimming is currently not being considered, there is future opportunity for land-based and river bank activity
● Silverwater Park, Silverwater: main foreshore is lined by a sea wall as well as rocks and mangroves. Level grass area with a playground, picnic shelters, barbecues, seating, and parking. Is being investigated as a potential swimming spot
● Memorial Park, Meadowbank: small sandy beach and access to barbecue and picnic areas, playground and walking paths. Is being investigated as a potential swimming spot
● Brays Bay, Concord: includes picnic tables, playground, toilets, parking, Canada Bay City Council has plans to upgrade the foreshore and jetty-water sport facilities
● Kissing Point Park, Putney: close to the Kissing Point Rivercat wharf, boat ramp, playground, carpark and toilets. Bordered by a long, sandy beach. Is being investigated as a potential swimming spot
● Putney Park, Putney: extensive grass and natural areas, barbecue and picnic facilities, playgrounds and lots of parking. Ryde Council has plans to upgrade the steps that provide access to the river foreshore. Park is being investigated as a potential swimming spot
● Cabarita Park beach, Cabarita: long, wide strip of sand surrounded by parklands with picnic and barbecue facilities, playground and toilets
● Quarantine Reserve, Abbotsford: is being investigated as a potential swimming spot
● Bayview Park, Concord: is being investigated as a potential swimming spot
● Chiswick Baths, Chiswick: accessed via a short set of stairs, it is enclosed with a shark net and fence. Toilets in the neighbouring park
● Callan Park, Rozelle: is being investigated as a potential swimming spot
● Dawn Fraser Baths, Balmain: oldest pool in Australia. At low tide it has a sandy beach where children can build sandcastles.
MASCOTS
Parramatta River Catchment Group has five mascots that live and rely on Parramatta River.
Their thriving abilities are used as an indicator of water quality and catchment health.
Community-based projects around all of the mascots will be designed.
The mascots are:
● Powerful owl
● Striped marsh frog
● Bar-tailed godwit
● Southern myotis
● Eastern long-necked turtle
