Lake Parramatta reopens after $1.4m upgrade of swimming spot, landscaping

The eastern suburbs have Bondi, Penrith has Pondi, and now swimmers in Sydney’s west have a revamped gem to enjoy just in time for summer.

The refreshed banks of Lake Parramatta are ready to welcome swimmers.

It might not have the rolling surf of beaches in the city’s east, but plenty of swimmers are ready to flock back to the popular Lake Parramatta this weekend after a $1.4m revitalisation.

The state government project has been designed to ensure the 50,000 visitors who swim at the North Parramatta drawcard each year have access to a safe swimming spot close to home.

The upgrade includes a sandy beach, a retaining wall, improved water access through footpaths, and other accessibility features such as handrails and traction treatments for steps.

There is also new seating, sandstone walls, shaded areas, landscaping, bushland regeneration, improved signage and an outdoor shower.

The installation of a formal lifeguard viewing platform will provide improved vision over the swimming area for lifeguards.

Seating and landscaping is part of the upgrade.

“Lake Parramatta is a great spot for the people of western Sydney to escape the summer heat, now more than ever after this upgrade,’’ Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said.

The upgrade was completed under the places-to-swim program and a western Sydney infrastructure grants program and comes after Western Sydney Lakes was unlocked last summer to open Penrith Beach to the public.

Lake Parramatta in March 2024.Picture: Richard Dobson

Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter welcomed “everyone to make memories’’ at the lake this summer.

“Lake Parramatta is an iconic swimming spot, and these upgrades really elevate this oasis and provide a safe and comfortable environment to cool off on hot days,’’ he said.

“The eastern suburbs have Bondi, Penrith has Pondi and now more people can safely enjoy the real gem in the west – Lake Parramatta.’’

Lake Parramatta officially opens to the public from 10am on Saturday and will have lifeguards on duty each weekend from 10am to 6pm until November 24.

From November 30 until January 30, lifeguards will be on duty every day from 10am to 7pm before returning to weekend-only patrols from 10am to 7pm from February 1 until March 30.

Several drownings have occurred at the lake in recent years, including on March 25 when a 23-year-old man died.

Just six days later, a 25-year-old man also drowned.

Originally published as Lake Parramatta reopens after $1.4m upgrade of swimming spot, landscaping