SHARING HARBOUR ACCESS PLAN © Crown Copyright 2003

Published in August 2003

Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources www.dipnr.nsw.gov.au

ISBN 0-7347-0451-8

03/130

Disclaimer

While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of publication, the State of , its agents and employees, disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon the whole or any part of this document.

FOREWORD

The NSW Government’s vision is to enhance the Implementation of the Access Plan will be assisted recreational opportunities of Sydney Harbour and its through the State Government providing $2 million tributaries for the people of, and visitors to, Sydney. annually, over five years, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, for capital works grants under the Sharing Sydney To help achieve this, there will be a linked, Harbour Access Program. catchment-wide, network of new and improved public accessways, for pedestrians and cyclists, and We commend the implementation of the Access waterway facilities for recreational watercraft. Plan’s proposed access improvements to all persons who seek to improve public access to Sydney The publicly exhibited draft Integrated Land and Harbour’s renowned waterways and foreshores. Water Access Plan has been renamed Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan.

The Access Plan has been jointly prepared by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (formerly PlanningNSW) and the NSW Waterways Authority, following wide consultation.

The Hon. Craig Knowles, MP The Hon. Michael Costa, MLC Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Services Planning, Minister for Natural Resources Minister for the Hunter Minister Assisting the Minister for Natural Resources (Forests)

CONTENTS

FOREWORD 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5

BACKGROUND 6

PLANNING CONTEXT 7

ACCESS VISION 8

Map 1: Access Network

HOW THE ACCESS PLAN WAS PREPARED 10

Map 2: Cultural Attractions

Map 3: Walking and Cycling Catchments

ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS 14

Map 4: Access Improvements

IMPLEMENTATION 25

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background

Sydney Harbour is highly valued by Sydneysiders and visitors. In recent decades much of the Harbour foreshore has been transforming from industrial to residential use. The profile of the Harbour as a place for residence, tourist destination and recreation continues to grow and with it the community desire to maximise public access to its foreshores and waterways. Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan (the Access Plan) helps address this demand. The Access Plan provides the framework for developing and implementing specific access improvement projects. the Access Plan tend to be within 2.5 kilometres of The Access Plan has been jointly prepared by the the harbour foreshore but may go beyond to the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural catchment boundary. They include: Resources (DIPNR) and the Waterways Authority. • walking tracks For the first time, an integrated approach has been • on-road and off-road cycleways taken by looking at both land and water access • public domain improvements, e.g. better issues. A catchment-wide network of accessways accessways, promenades, shelters, seating, will link metropolitan parklands with urban lighting, signage, planting, interpretive facilities, waterfronts and connect to water access points. dry-boat and cycle storage Improved boating facilities will provide better public • wharves, jetties and pontoons access for recreational craft such as dinghies, canoes, kayaks and sailing boats. • ‘soft access’ for landing small boats including seawall steps and beaches. The Access Plan identifies strategic projects that may be developed in the longer term, i.e. over the next 20 years. Implementation of the Access Plan will be Implementation assisted via the Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Implementation of the Access Plan will be assisted Program (Access Program). The Access Program is a by Access Program grants, available annually over the five-year capital works program and part of the NSW next five years. Each year a total of $2 million of Government’s overall vision for Sydney Harbour. State government funding will be available for capital works projects, on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The grants Planning context funding is being provided by:

The existing planning framework will guide detailed • Waterways Authority planning and design of the identified projects. • Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) • DIPNR. Access vision Projects suitable for funding will accord with the The Access Plan’s vision is to improve public access principles and objectives set down in the Access to, and enhance the recreational enjoyment of, Plan. Applicants eligible for grant funding are Sydney Harbour and its tributaries for the people of generally expected to be local government authorities Sydney and visitors to the city. and incorporated or registered recreational organisations. Access improvements Additional Access Program funds are encouraged in The Access Plan identifies opportunities to improve the form of direct improvement actions by major access to the foreshores and waterways for a range public land owners. Other agencies are likely to add of recreational users including pedestrians, cyclists to this funding potential through their existing and recreational boaters. Typical projects identified in programs.

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 5 BACKGROUND

Why the Access Plan has been prepared

Sydney Harbour is one of ’s greatest assets and the heart of Sydney. Apart from its functions as a commercial working port and a major transport route, the Harbour is a desirable place to live, a place of natural beauty and community playground. Sydney receives more tourists than any other destination in Australia and many take part in Harbour related activities, such as strolling along a foreshore path or taking a trip on the Manly Ferry. In the past few decades the Harbour foreshores have seen many changes including a shift from industrial to residential use particularly to the west, along River. The profile of the Harbour as a place 1 2 3 for residence , tourist destination and recreation continues to grow and with it the community desire to maximise public access to its foreshores and waterways. The Access Plan helps address the demand for improved public access to the foreshores and Harbour. It contains the vision for improving access waterways of Sydney Harbour. The integrated to the foreshores and waterways and proposes the approach of looking at land and water access has following publicly accessible (non-commercial) allowed three State government agencies – DIPNR, improvements and facilities: SHFA and Waterways – to work in partnership, pool resources, coordinate actions and produce this Land-based ambitious plan. • walking tracks Content of the Access Plan • on-and off-road cycleways

The Access Plan takes an integrated approach to land • improved access within public domain areas and water-based access requirements for Sydney including parks, reserves, promenades and intertidal zones • improved access to, and interpretation of, Aboriginal sites and other cultural attractions.

Water-based • wharves, jetties and pontoons (pick-up and drop-off) • boat ramps • soft access facilities such as pontoons, seawall steps and beaches (used by small craft).

4 Paid day berthing or 'interface wharves', visitor moorings and sailing and rowing clubs have not been investigated. Marinas and general boat storage requirements are currently the subject of separate investigations.

1 Population within the catchment is anticipated to rise from 1.2 to 1.37 million 3 Reflected by boating interest groups such as the Boating Industry Association over the next 20 years (DUAP 1995, Local area government projections). and NSW Boat Owners Association. 2 Tourism is estimated to double from 4.2 million visitors in 1998 to 8.4 million 4 The term ‘interface wharf’ as defined in A Vision for Recreational Boating and visitors by 2008 (Tourism Forecasting Council 1998). Boat Servicing in the Sydney Harbour prepared for the Boating Industry Association of NSW, June 2000.

6 Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan PLANNING CONTEXT

The Access Plan is consistent with government Other relevant information policies and principles relating to equity, ecologically sustainable development, livability and integrated There are other supporting documents such as the transport and access planning. Waterways Authority’s Landowners Policies Manual and local councils’ plans of management, which may be The Access Plan builds on planning concepts dating relevant to specific projects. back to the 1950s County of Cumberland Plan, reinforced in later statutory plans and most recently The Sydney Harbour Catchment Blueprint through the Sharing Sydney Harbour Regional Action Department of Land and Water Conservation (2003) Plan (Regional Action Plan). is the NSW government policy for the natural resource and environmental management in the The Regional Action Plan is a package of ten projects Harbour catchment over the next ten years. representing a whole-of-government vision for Sydney Harbour. Project 8 of the Regional Action Plan The intertidal zone (beaches, rock platforms and comprises the ‘Foreshore and Access Improvement mudflats) requires detailed site specific investigation Program’. This has since been renamed the Sharing for public access as it is a protected area under the Sydney Harbour Access Program. Fisheries Management Act 1994. The Access Program provides the basis for Land ownership and tenure implementing this Access Plan. Ownership and tenure Existing planning framework arrangements for foreshore lands vary. Proposals identified in the Access Plan will need to meet Agencies that own or provisions of the relevant statutory plans and any other manage public foreshore relevant State or local government policy or legislation. lands include the This includes the environmental planning instruments Waterways Authority, made under the Environmental Planning and DIPNR, SHFA, National Assessment Act 1979, most important of which are: Parks and Wildlife Service, • Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 22 – (SREP22) Authority, and local • Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 23 – councils. The Sydney and Middle Harbours (SREP23) Commonwealth Government, through the • Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 26 – Department of Defence City West (SREP26) and the Sydney Harbour • State Environmental Planning Policy No. 56 – Federation Trust own a Sydney Harbour Foreshores and Tributaries number of important (SEPP56). foreshore sites.

Statutory plans such as SEPP56 and SREP26 uphold Further consultation with the principle of increasing public access to, and use relevant landowners will be of, land on the foreshore. Other plans such as carried out during SREP22, SREP23 and the Harbour DCP provide for implementation of the the conservation of significant bushland and other Access Plan to ensure natural features, the protection of cultural heritage, proposals are consistent with existing plans of the protection and improvement of the visual management and other management arrangements. qualities of the Harbour, and the retention and Provision of public access may require acquisition of enhancement of public access links between existing land by a relevant public agency. Existing statutory foreshore open space areas. plans may reserve land for ‘Regional’ or ‘County The objectives and provisions of these plans and Open Space’ for which State Government has an policies will guide detailed planning and design of the acquisition responsibility. Local council are identified projects. responsible for acquiring land reserved for ‘Local Open Space’. Another way of gaining public access is through redevelopment and the rezoning of foreshore land to provide open space and foreshore access.

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 7 ACCESS VISION

The Access Vision builds on previous foreshore The Access Plan’s vision is to improve public access improvement initiatives, notably the highly successful to and enhance the recreational enjoyment of Parramatta River Foreshores Improvement Program, Sydney Harbour and its tributaries for the people of which improved access to and recreational use of the Sydney and visitors to the city. The following Parramatta River foreshores in the lead-up to the sketches and points express this vision. They Sydney Olympics. illustrate:

• Foreshore places for a range of recreational activities, including exploration, relaxation, privacy and social interaction. • The waterways linking metropolitan parklands and urban waterfronts. • The Harbour being managed as a focus for community life and celebration.

Shepherds Bay, Meadowbank

• Innovatively designed, efficient and well-located boat ramps, public wharves, small boat access and boat storage facilities creating connections between land and water.

Blaxland Road, Rhodes

8 Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan FIGURE 3:MAPACCESS 1: ACCESS NETWORK NETWORK

Eastwood

MIDDLE

Chatswood

Rydalmere HARBOUR

Meadowbank Parramatta PARRAMATTA RIVER

Rhodes LANE

COVE RIVER North Sydney

Olympic Park

Circular Quay

Sydney Harbour Catchment Strathfield

Train Lines Central Ferry Routes

Parks and Reserves

Regional Accessways (Pedestrian or Pedestrian/Cycle) (existing and proposed)

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 9 OPEN HERE FOR MAP 1

• A catchment-wide network of pedestrian and cycle accessways through green open space corridors connecting to water access points and public transport nodes (see foldout Map 1 underleaf). • The Harbour and its catchment functioning as a healthy ecosystem accessed by non-polluting forms of transport.

Lane Cove River, Chatswood West

• The unique and diverse scenic qualities of the Harbour foreshores being protected and enhanced. • The rich Aboriginal and heritage fabric of the Harbour being conserved and interpreted.

Middle Harbour, Castle Cove

Sharing Sydney Harbour HOW THE PLAN WAS PREPARED

Issues and opportunities Land-based access • Around 59 percent or 134 kilometres of the 230 The following issues and opportunities have been kilometres of foreshores of Sydney Harbour and considered in the Access Plan’s preparation and its tributaries are fronted by publicly accessible reflect the comments received through the parks, reserves or public domain areas such as exhibition (from 8 February to 4 April 2003). They 5 foreshore roads. should also be addressed in developing detailed plans for improvement projects. • Uninterrupted and effective pedestrian access within the intertidal zone will be enhanced along Recreational use 32 kilometres of the foreshore by removing • The diversity of the Harbour provides for a variety structures that prevent or discourage walkers. of complementary land- and water-based • Bicycle member organisations such as Bicycle recreational activities. A shared multi-objective NSW seek provision of cycle access to the approach is desirable to provide for a range of foreshores from the hinterland. Providing for this recreational activities. form of access could reduce reliance on the • There is strong support for increased soft (non- private car, and thus reduce pressure on local motorised) forms of recreation and access to both access roads and demand for car parking in land and water to allow peaceful enjoyment of the foreshore locations. harbour and its environments. Non-motorised forms • Ten minute walking and cycling catchments (see of recreation and access include walking, cycling, Map 3) are an important indicator of potential to skating, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and rowing. access the foreshores on foot or bicycle by local • Walking, cycling and skating as well as canoeing communities and those travelling into these do not require expensive equipment and as such catchments by public transport. are available to the majority of people. • Bicycle parking will be considered in appropriate • Aboriginal sites and other places of cultural locations as part of the detailed planning and interest enhance the recreational value of the design of individual projects. foreshores. There are opportunities to improve • There is scope to increase the existing level of access to and appreciation of these cultural foreshore access by extending existing attractions (see fold out Map 2). accessways to and along the foreshores and by providing new accessways in currently inaccessible areas including redevelopment sites. • Walking and cycling have many similar requirements, e.g. continuity, legibility, directness, low traffic volumes and low speeds, therefore both modes can often share the same access way. Sometimes their requirements may differ, e.g. a steep topography or sensitive natural environment may be better suited to walking than cycling. In some locations, such as waterfront promenades, shared access may be impractical and unsafe. A separate provision for each mode should be made in such instances.

Water-based access • Boating interest groups such as Boat Owners Association and the Boating Industry Association stress the importance of maintaining and improving public access to the waterways, i.e. new and improved boat ramps.

5 Calculated by measuring the length of foreshore pedestrian pathways and tracks in parks, reserves and public domain areas such as foreshore roads close to the navigable wsterways.

10 Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan • Around 14 public boat ramps and 24 public wharves are widely used for recreational boating access. Scope exists to improve boating access through minor improvements to existing facilities in many locations.

Public transport • There is a distinct demand for better and more integrated public transport. This would provide greater access to the Harbour and foreshores for a broader range of people and help reduce reliance on the motor car. • Currently, State Rail, State Transit (buses and ferries) and Metro Light Rail provide access • Some foreshore landowners may have special directly to the Harbour foreshores or to locations requirements regarding the location of access within walking and cycling distance of the routes through their properties due to security, foreshores. privacy and occupational health and safety issues, e.g. Department of Defence, hospitals and • Sydney Ferries service a number of locations on working harbour sites. the Harbour to which bus services connect. • When implementing the Access Plan, specific • Sydney Ferries are able to carry bicycles and interests or issues need to be balanced against bicycle storage for commuters is provided at the wider regional objectives of equity of access, some public ferry wharves. Many public ferry promoting sustainable forms of transport, wharves also provide wheelchair access. protecting natural and built environment as well Related considerations as respecting the needs of local communities. • There are a number of outstanding open space reservations on the foreshore for future Selection of improvements acquisition by both the State and local The Access Plan has been prepared using a government. combination of stakeholder consultation (workshops, • Use of community title and access easements over interviews and submissions) and technical private lands may lead to inconsistent treatment assessment (review of existing and proposed access and potential privatisation of foreshore access. facilities). This has included a review of recreational boating facilities.6 • Encroachment of private development onto public foreshore lands, e.g. swimming enclosures, The following diagram illustrates the process used to boatsheds, landscaping, can often reduce or select potential improvements shown on Map 4 from discourage public access to the foreshores. over 130 possible improvements.

6 Waterways Authority 2001. Review of recreational boating facilities within Sydney Harbour. A total of 23 boat ramps and 24 wharves/jetties primarily used by the public were assessed in detail.

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 11 Diagram showing process for selecting foreshore and access improvements

1. IDENTIFICATION OF IMPROVEMENTS Improvement objectives

• Review of existing facilities Potential improvement projects shown on Map 4 have been • Consultation (including workshops) evaluated against the following • Submissions objectives.

• Field inspections 1. To improve public access to the foreshores and waterways

for a broad range of users.

2. To develop multi-purpose 2. ASSESSMENT OF IMPROVEMENTS recreational facilities and

settings.

Land-based access Water-based access 3. To improve links, from the facilities facilities foreshores, to regional access • Ranked against • Ranked against improvement improvement networks (waterways, ferry objectives (see box at objectives and high- wharves, railway stations, right) ranking improvements from the Review of cycle paths, main roads). recreational boating facilities (Waterways 4. To increase the total length of Authority 2001) foreshore accessible to the

public.

5. To increase recreational access

3. DRAFT PLAN opportunities between land

and water. High-ranking potential improvements mapped 6. To increase facilities catering

for non-motorised modes of

transport.

4. FINAL PLAN 7. To conserve natural and

cultural heritage values. High ranking potential improvements confirmed

12 Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan MAP 2: CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

W

35

V

MIDDLE

36

X HARBOUR 38 1 3 37 Meadowbank Y 2 PARRAMATTA Parramatta A 6 34 4 U B LANE K COVE C 33 7 RIVER D 29 T RIVER L J F 9 11 North 8 G 16 10 Sydney 28 5 M P Olympic 12 20 R E Park 17 21 31 N 25 32 19 23 26 PORT S 30 22 JACKSON O Q H I Circular 24 14 Quay 13 15 18 27

Aboriginal site areas and other places of cultural Sydneyinterest Harbour greatlyCatchment enhance the recreational value of the foreshores. Opportunities exist to improve Train Linesaccess to and appreciation of these cultural attractions through public domain and access Ferry Routesimprovements. Aboriginal Site Areas Places of Cultural Interest Parks and Reserves A N Dawes Point 1 Old Government House/ 20 Luna Park B Kissing Point O Farm Cove Parramatta Park 21 Harbour Bridge C Aboriginal Site Areas Putney Park P Cremorne Point 2 Elizabeth Farm 22 The Rocks/Dawes Point/ D Glades Bay Q Clarke Island 3 University of Western Hill E R 4 Newington Armory 23 Opera House F Looking Glass Point S Shark Island 5 Sydney Olympic Park 24 Botanic Gardens G Gladesville Reserve T Sow and Pigs Reef 6 Meadowbank Bridge 25 H Rodd Island U Middle Head 7 Thomas Walker Estate 26 Garden Island I Callan Point V Explosives Reserve 8 Dame Eadith Walker Estate 27 Elizabeth Bay House J Kellys Bush W Bantry Bay 9 Gladesville Hospital 28 Taronga Zoo K Butchers Block X Dobroyd Head 10 Kellys Bush 29 Georges Heights L Berry Island Y North Head 11 Woolwich Dock 30 Strickland House M Balls Head 12 Cockatoo Island 31 Greycliffe House/Neilsen Park 13 Callan Park 32 Vaucluse House 14 White Bay Power Station 33 South Head/Macquarie Lighthouse 15 Old Bridge 34 Middle Head 16 Coal Loader/Balls Head 35 Bantry Bay Magazine Complex There are many places of cultural interest, such 17 Goat Island 36 Manly as Strickland House on the eastern foreshores, 18 Pyrmont Bridge 37 Former Quarantine Station 19 Walsh Bay Wharves 38 North Head Artillery School which enrich the recreational experience of Sydney Harbour.

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 13 MAP 3: WALKING AND CYCLING CATCHMENTS LING CATCHMENTS OPEN HERE FOR MAP 2

Sydney Harbour Catchment

Train Lines

Ferry Routes

10 Minute Walking Catchment (800 m approx.)

10 Minute Cycling Catchment (2.5 km approx.) Lindfield

Eastwood

MIDDLE Chatswood

Artarmon HARBOUR

Parramatta PARRAMATTA RIVER LANE Wollstonecraft COVE RIVER Waverton North Sydney Auburn Olympic Park PORT JACKSON Circular Lidcombe Quay

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS

Numerous opportunities to improve access to and The Taronga Zoo, Middle Head and Balmoral use of the foreshores and waterways are shown on foreshores in the eastern Harbour have the potential Map 4. The map is divided into five sheets covering to provide improved continuous walking and cycling the study area from west to east. They show both paths with spectacular Harbour views. Existing public existing and proposed facilities and improvements. ferry and bus access could be supplemented with new or improved recreational boating access with The maps show that the greatest potential for pick-up and set-down points at Chowder Bay and the improving land-based access is in the rapidly Spit. changing areas west of the Harbour Bridge. There are opportunities to: There are outstanding views of steeply wooded slopes and natural foreshores on Middle Harbour at • provide accessways along drainage lines and the Sugarloaf and Bantry Bays. Acquisition of reserved edges of canals to improve cycling and walking open space and the provision of walking tracks and access to the estuarine foreshores recreational boating facilities would make these • provide better access facilities for small boats bushland reserves more accessible for public such as dinghies, canoes, kayaks and sailing recreation and enjoyment. boats. It should be noted that the potential improvements The southern foreshores, east of the Harbour Bridge, shown in the following map sheets are are already intensively used. The main scope for recommendations only and do not preclude the need improvement here is providing better walking and for improvements to other facilities. cycling connections to the foreshores and pick-up and set-down points close to the city. Guide to Map 4

The types of potential improvements shown on the maps are: Walking tracks • Improvements to existing wharves may include • Opportunities for new sections of walking tracks provision of new low-level landings and/or to and along the foreshore are shown in floating pontoons and provision of shelters, bushland areas or along creek lines. seating, lighting, safety ladders and onshore dinghy racks. Improvements are aimed at Cycleways (on- and off-road) facilitating use by a greater range of recreational watercraft. • On-road: may be defined by lane markings and possible junction improvements. • Ferry wharves are not accessible to recreational watercraft. • Off-road: these may be shared cyclist and pedestrian paths. Boat ramps Intertidal access • A small number of potential new ramps are identified. • The Waterways Authority will ensure that no structures impede access for pedesrians. • Improvements to existing ramps may include provision of boat handling areas (beach, floating Public domain improvements pontoon or jetty), improved vehicular manoeuvring areas and parking arrangements and provision of • Public domain areas that require new public associated facilities such as lighting, rubbish access ways and other facilities, such as lighting, receptacles, toilets and fish cleaning tables. seating or landscaping.

WharvesCONFIDENTIAL and pontoons Soft access DRAFT • Improving access for small boats may involve • New pick-up and set-down points for recreational conversion of a small number of boat ramps and watercraft created through adaptive re-use of provision of seawall steps, floating pontoons and existing wharves and jetties or construction of use of beaches. new wharves.

14 Sharing Sydney Harbour DRAFT

M MAP 4: ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS D IDDLE E

HARB

OUR Meadowbank

PA Parramatta A RRAMATTA R IV E R A LANE

CO VE RIVER

North Olympic Park Sydney

B PORT C JACKSON

Circular Quay

Creek Ponds e h

T SHEET A

Public Domain Improvements: 1 Lubrizol Park Duck River 2 Rhodes Point Subiaco 3 Shepherds Bay Creek 4 Concord Hospital Parramatta 5 Walker Estate foreshore Park Rydalmere Wharves/Pontoons (new and improvements): 1 Ermington Masterplan site (new) 2 Wilson Park (new) 3 Newington Wharf (new) Meadowbank 4 Homebush Bay west (new) 5 Homebush Bay west (new) Parramatta 2 6 Shepherds Bay (new) 3 Camellia 7 ADI Ryde (new) 4 6 R 4 Boat Ramps (new and improvements): E IV 1 1 R 1 Wilson Park 3 2 2 Rose Hill P A 3 2 Wharf Road Ermington A R R A AT T 1 2 M 7 3 Homebush Bay west (new) 4 Rhodes Point Sydney Olympic 5 Kissing Point Park 5 Rhodes 5 Soft Access (new and improvements): R V E 1 1 Ermington Masterplan site RI Homebush Bay 2 Former ADI site Ryde K Granville C U D 4 Railway Lines/Stations

Sydney Harbour Catchment 5 Ferry Routes

Open Space/Public Domain Network

Ferry Wharves

Public Wharves Olympic Park Boat Ramps (Existing)

Main Roads

Concord West Walking Tracks (Existing)

Auburn Walking Tracks (Proposed)

Cycleways (Existing) SHEET B Cycleways (Proposed)

Intertidal access

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 15 DRAFT

D MI E D MAP 4: ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS DLE

HARB

OUR Meadowbank

PA 7 Parramatta A RRAMATTA R IVE

R LANE

C OVE RIVER

North Olympic Park Sydney

B PORT C B JACKSON Circular Quay

5

LA NE CO 11 Wollstonecraft 6 V E R IVE SHEET B 3 R 12

Visitor Moorings (existing) Waverton North Public Domain Improvements: Glades Bay Gore Cove Sydney 6 Glades Bay 8 Coal Loader Woolwich 7 7 Betts Park/Gladesville 9 Balmain East Wharf 8 13 19 6 Reserve 4 8 9 12 20 Wharves/Pontoons (new and improvements): 8 8 Breakfast Point 13 Woolwich Dock (new)) Cabarita Berrys RIVER Bay Mortlake (new) 14 Cockatoo Island (new) PAR A 14 Abbotsford RA M ATT Cockatoo 9 Taplin Park (new) 15 Mort Bay Park (new) Island Balls Head 10 Thompson Street 16 Blackwattle Bay Park (new) 17 Blackwattle Bay (new)

9 11 Northwood Wharf 18 Pyrmont Point Park/ Woodford Bay Harris Street (new) Hen 12 Bay Street Wharf 19 Berrys Bay (new) Greenwich 20 Lavender Bay (new) and 15 Chicken Boat Ramps (new and improvements): Bay Balmain Mort Bay 6 Cabarita Point 8 Woolwich Defence 9 7 Burns Bay Lands (new) 11 10

Soft Access (new and improvements): Darling Circular Iron Cove 3 Glades Bay 8 Hospital Harbour Quay 18 4 Gladesville Hospital 9 Woolwich White Bay 5 Linley Point 10 Bicentennial Park 8 6 11 Cameron's Cove 7 12 Berrys Bay

6 Rozelle Bay Railway Lines/Stations 7 10 Ferry Routes 16 Bays 17 Open Space/Public Domain Network Precinct Sydney Harbour Catchment

Ferry Wharves

Public Wharves (Existing)

Boat Ramps Main Roads

Walking Tracks (Existing) SHEET A SHEET C Walking Tracks (Proposed)

Cycleways (Existing)

Cycleways (Proposed)

Intertidal access

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 17 DRAFT

M MAP 4: ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS D IDDLE E

HARB

OUR Meadowbank

PA Parramatta A RRAMATTA R IV E R LANE

CO VE RIVER

North Olympic Park Sydney

B PORT C Middle JACKSONC Circular Head Quay

South Head SHEET C

Visitor Moorings: (existing) 22 Chowder North Sydney Public Domain Improvements: Bay 10 Rushcutters Bay 11 Lyne Park Taronga 12 Hermitage Walk Zoo Watsons Bay Wharves/Pontoons (new and improvements): 21 Woolloomooloo Bay (investigate access) 22 Chowder Bay 23 Hermit Bay (new)

Nielsen Park Railway Lines/Stations Ferry Routes Fort Denison Open Space/Public Domain Network 12 Sydney Harbour Catchment PORT JACKSON 23 Ferry Wharves

Shark Public Wharves (Existing) Island Garden Boat Ramps (Existing) Island Circular Clarke Main Roads Quay Island Walking Tracks (Existing) Botanic Gardens Walking Tracks (Proposed) Rose Bay Cycleways (Existing) 21 Rushcutters Cycleways (Proposed) Bay Double Bay 11 Intertidal access

Kings 10 Cross

Edgeclilff SHEET B

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 19 DRAFT

M MAP 4: ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS D IDDLE E

HARB

OUR Meadowbank

PA Parramatta A RRAMATTA R IV E R LANE

CO VE RIVER

North Olympic Park Sydney

B PORT C JACKSON

Circular Quay

Killara

M I D D

L E SHEET D

Public Domain Improvements: 13 Echo Point Lindfield 13 H A RB Soft Access (new and improvements): 16 O U R 13 Buffalo Creek/old dredging site 14 Blackman Park 15 Wirong Flat 16 Echo Point

Roseville

Railway Lines/Stations

Scotts Ferry Routes Creek Open Space/Public Domain Network

Sydney Harbour Catchment Lane Cove Creek National Park Blue Gum Ferry Wharves Public Wharves (Existing)

Boat Ramps (Existing)

Main Roads

Walking Tracks (Existing)

Chatswood Walking Tracks (Proposed)

15 Swains Creek Cycleways (Existing) Cycleways (Proposed)

Stringybark Artarmon Creek

LANE C

O Flat V E 14 Rock Buffalo Creek Ryde Creek 13 R I V E R SHEET E

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 21 DRAFT

M MAP 4: ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS D IDDLE EE

HARB

OUR Meadowbank

PA Parramatta A RRAMATTA R IV E R LANE

CO VE RIVER

North Olympic Park Sydney

B PORT C JACKSON

Circular Quay

Garigal Warringah National Mall Park SHEET E

Bantry Visitor Moorings (existing) Bay

14 Public Domain Improvements: 24 14 Bantry Bay Explosives Magazine 15 Dobroyd Head Scenic Lookout

Wharves/Pontoons (new and improvements): 24 Bantry Bay 25 Willis Road (new) 26 Pickering Point (new) 27 Fig Tree Point (new) 28 The Spit (new) 29 Clontarf (new) Castle Cove 30 Manly Cove (investigate access)

Boat Ramps (new and improvements): 9 Tunks Park 25

Sugarloaf 26

Bay Railway Lines/Stations

Ferry Routes Manly Open Space/Public Domain Network

Castlecrag Sydney Harbour Catchment

30 Ferry Wharves NORTH Public Wharves (Existing) Sailors HARBOUR Boat Ramps (Existing) Bay 29 28 MIDDLE Main Roads

Walking Tracks (Existing)

Northbridge Walking Tracks (Proposed) 15 HARBOUR Cycleways (Existing)

Cycleways (Proposed)

27 Intertidal access lat Long F R o Bay ck Creek

9

North Head SHEET D

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan 23 IMPLEMENTATION

Access Program Outcomes The Access Plan identifies strategic projects that may Major outcomes if all potential projects are be developed in the longer term, i.e. over the next 20 implemented are: years. Implementation of the Access Plan will be assisted through the Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program. The Access Program is a five-year capital Land-based access improvements works program and will be coordinated by DIPNR in • 33 kilometres of new walking tracks and on- partnership with Waterways Authority. and off-road cycleways along the foreshores and connections to the foreshores. A steering committee, comprising local, State and Commonwealth government representatives, has • Public access increased from approximately been established. This will coordinate the program's 59 percent to 73 percent of the total 230 activities, set priorities, determine strategic directions kilometres of foreshore. and engender partnerships. The steering committee • Improved intertidal access to 32 kilometres of will provide local and State government with regular foreshore where the Waterways Authority will updates to the Sydney Harbour councils and Sydney work to remove structures that impede such Harbour Executive7. access. Detailed planning and design, including feasibility • Public domain improvements at 15 locations. testing, and environmental impact assessment will be undertaken on a project basis by individual Water-based access improvements applicants. Eligible applicants are likely to be local • New or improved small boat access facilities councils and registered or incorporated clubs or at 16 sites. organisations. Approval by a relevant consent • New or improved pick-up and set-down authority will be required to enable the project to wharves and jetties at 28 locations. proceed. • Improvements to 7 boat ramps. Consultation • Two new boat ramps. Implementation of the selected improvement projects will require coordination and consultation as Funding there are many landowners, both public and private, with management roles. The main sources of Access Program grant funds are: 8 9 Consultation with stakeholders will be essential • Waterways Authority, through WADAMP during project development. This may be achieved by • SHFA, through 'seed funds' convening focus groups and project taskforces 10 covering specific areas of the Harbour and tributaries. • DIPNR, through SRDF. Support for the Access Plan from all levels of Other agencies are likely to add to this funding government and the community is well established potential, eg the Roads and Traffic Authority's Action and will assist the implementation of the foreshore for Bikes: BikePlan 2010 NSW (RTA 1999) for cycleway and access improvements. projects and State Transit Authority of NSW funding improvements to ferry wharves. The Access Program will seek the implementation of complementary projects through private landowner contributions, 11 other grant programs and agency partnerships. The construction of new boat ramps in the plan will 7 The Sydney Harbour Executive is a committee comprised of senior be funded 100% by the Waterways Authority through representatives from 24 state and federal agencies. It is the principle mechanism for developing whole-of-government policies and actions for Sydney additional WADAMP funds if required. Harbour and it’s catchment. 8 Stakeholders Include local councils, and may also include groups such as the Boating Industry Association, the Boat Owners Association, Bicycle NSW, Access Program grants will be available annually over five walking groups and adjacent landowners. years. Each year $2 million of grant funds will be 9 Waterways Asset Development and Management Program. 10 Sydney Region Development Fund. available for projects, generally on a dollar-for-dollar basis. 11 Sydney Olympic Park Authority, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Turism Sport and Recreation, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

Draft Integrated Land and Water Access Plan 25 Projects suitable for funding will accord with the principles and objectives in the Access Plan. The Access Plan provides the basis for future access projects around Sydney Harbour. Alternative access projects that achieve the Access Plan's principles and objectives will be considered on their merits. It is important to note that projects will be competing for limited funds.

Review

The steering committee will undertake an annual review of the program as a basis for determining the strategic priorities for each year. The program will undergo a formal evaluation after three years of operation to assess its effectiveness and ensure 12 relevant new information is taken into account. Further implementation assistance Promotion Applicants requiring a Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program grant application form, information Promotion will help to ensure that people become or assistance with project planning or consent aware of new facilities and so use them. NSW Health requirements for projects should contact the and the State Transit Authority currently run Management Team. promotional programs that may be relevant to the Access Program. Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program Management Team The Parramatta River Foreshore Signage Manual third Sydney Region East edition (PlanningNSW 2002) promotes a coordinated Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural family of signs for the Parramatta River foreshore. Resources This approach could be extended to the rest of the Level 7, Henry Deane Building Harbour. 20 Lee Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Tel: 02 9762 8112

12 Such information would include recreational user needs and demands data, Fax: 02 9762 8710 terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem mapping, and information about the cumulative impact of continuing improvements. Email: [email protected]

26 Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan