The goal to make the Parramatta River swimmable again is one step closer after the City of Ryde received a grant from the NSW Government to build a new in-river swimming site at Putney Park. The project will reinstate baths at the Park site. It was the original home for the first in-river swimming area in Ryde in the 1920s.
The City of Ryde has a stated objective to make the Putney Park site – among others along the river – swimmable by 2025. It is working in partnership with the Parramatta River Catchment Group – an alliance of State and local government agencies and community groups.
The NSW Government will help achieve this through $698,475 in funding made available via the Open Spaces Program grant funding under the Places to Swim stream.
Places to Swim support councils in creating places for the community to enjoy Sydney’s rivers, lakes and harbour. It seeks to provide improved access to water for swimming and other recreational activities.
The NSW Government funding will enable Council to provide swimming infrastructure and install safety mechanisms. It will also offer a brand-new water playspace at the site for all residents and visitors to enjoy. These funds should improve access to the community, providing opportunities for cooling down close to home.
City of Ryde councillor thanks NSW Government for Parramatta River funding
City of Ryde, Clr Jordan Lane, said the in-river swimming site would open Parramatta River up to the community.
“Making Parramatta River swimmable again has been a long-stated objective by Council and the Parramatta River Catchment Group. The funding we have received from the NSW Government will ensure it now becomes a reality,” Lane said.
“I would like to acknowledge the support from the NSW Government for this project. The Places to Swim program should help create one of the first new swimmable sites on the Parramatta River in the City of Ryde.
The creation of the Putney Park in-river swimming site follows the Council’s installation of new beach activation steps in 2021. A suite of future measures is planned for the site to enhance the regional parkland.
Related Articles:
- New innovative system for early flood warning
- NRAR metering compliance starts in Moree
- Southern Queensland Water Alliance pushes forward