7. The iconic 1. Lake Parramatta 10. Cabarita Park beach New swim sites Officially reopened for public Located at the northern end of By 2025, our local communities will be able to swimming in 2015, this popular CASTLE HILL SAW MILL CK Cabarita Park, the site features a long, access the Parramatta River at three new Parramatta River EXCELSIOR CK site is patrolled by lifeguards BELLAMYS CK wide strip of sand bordered by rocks swimming sites: from late October to late March. at either end. The beach is backed by The Parramatta River is the main tributary of Sydney WEST PENNANT Harbour. Its catchment area covers 266 square Other amenities include non- beautiful parklands with picnic and motorised boat hire, walking STEVENSON CK HILLS kilometres and is home to a diverse and rapidly BELLBIRD CK BBQ facilities, a playground, public trails, a children’s playground, growing community of more than 750,000 people. BLUE GUM CK toilets and wheelchair access. BBQ and picnic areas and a cafe. The river was once a popular swimming location and BAULKHAM HILLS the focal point of many social activities. By the 1950s, lack of regulation and rapid industrial development RIFLE RANGE CARLINGFORDCK led to the river becoming heavily polluted and most 14. Chiswick Baths swimming sites being closed. BLACKTOWN CK WINSTON HILLS A quiet, local swimming site With improved regulation, technology and community HUNTS CK enclosed by a shark net and NORTHMEAD awareness over the last 20 years, the condition of the MILLS CK DARLING 1 DUNDAS VALLEY childproof fence, there are 7. McIlwaine Park, Rhodes East river has been improving and swimming has become a also picnic and toilet facilities. BLACKTOWN Positioned alongside Brays Bay Reserve, the area possibility once again. Swimming is permitted all includes a restaurant and café, walkways, fenced year round except for up to GIRRAWEEN CK WENTWORTHVILLE toddler playground, BBQs, picnic facilities and toilets. THE PONDS CK three days after heavy rain. What we are doing to make more sites 2 PARRAMATTA The site will be used for kayaking and boating as part RYDE safe for swimming WESTERN of City of Canada Bay’s foreshore upgrade and river MOTORWAY access project. The Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) is 3 SUBIACO CK ARCHER Lane Cove River an alliance of local and state government agencies 4 VINEYARD CK PENDLE CK and community groups who are working together DOMAIN CK 6 to make the Parramatta River swimmable again by COOPERS CK RYDALMERE FINLAYSONS CK 2025. The PRCG has developed an evidence-based 5 CHARITY CK GLADESVILLE Masterplan that outlines the steps needed to make GREYSTANES more sites along the Parramatta River swimmable. CLAY CLIFF CK 7 8 Robust science, collaboration, cultural sensitivity and ABECKETTS CK PARRAMATTA RIVER 9 community decision making are at the heart of this HOLROYD HUNTERS HILL HOMEBUSH BAY GLADES CK plan to ensure that we deliver real outcomes for our GRANVILLE living river and its communities. 10 13 DUCK CK 14 9. Putney Park, Putney Where is it safe to swim in the 12 11 16 Sydney Popular for social gatherings, this scenic location Parramatta River? DUCK RIVER SYDNEY Harbour includes playgrounds with a water splash play feature There are currently four sites safe for swimming ABBOTSFORD OLYMPIC PARK SALTWATER CK and a large picnic area. City of Ryde has proposed the POWELLS CK DRUMMOYNE in the Parramatta River (see map inserts for more GUILDFORD construction of steps to activate the foreshore and information). Water quality indicators are routinely AUBURN CONCORD CANADA BAY 15 provide greater access to the existing beach as part of monitored at each of these sites through Beachwatch the plan to make the site swimmable by 2025. to demonstrate that they are safe for human contact. IRON COVE (visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/water/ LIDCOMBE FIVE DOCK beaches/beachwatch-water-quality-program). STRATHFIELD Suitability for swimming is assessed following the HASLAMS CK National Health and Medical Research Council’s Current swim sites Not yet swimmable Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters 1. Lake Parramatta 2. Little Coogee BURWOOD LEICHHARDT 2008. Swimming is not advised at any of the current 10. Cabarita Park beach sites for up to three days after heavy rain. 3. Parramatta CBD IRON COVE CK WESTERN MOTORWAY 14. Chiswick Baths Sydney Water has also commenced water quality 4. MacArthur St Bridge 16. Dawn Fraser Baths REGENTS PARK monitoring at the three planned swimming sites 16. Dawn Fraser Baths identified in the Masterplan: Bayview Park, Concord, 5. Silverwater Park The oldest pool and swimming McIlwaine Park, Rhodes East and Putney Park, Putney. Planned swim sites 6. Meadowbank club in Australia, this iconic site This monitoring forms the initial phase of a broader 7. McIlwaine Park 11. Bayview Park, Concord is currently undergoing a major Riverwatch water quality monitoring program being 8. Kissing Point Park BANKSTOWN Positioned on the western edge of Hen and Chicken 9. Putney Park upgrade to restore the original developed by Sydney Water for the Parramatta River. Bay, the park has several BBQs and covered picnic 11. Bayview Park 12. Quarantine Reserve heritage buildings and improve tables, shared walking and cycling path, a water refill Callan Park has also been identified as a possible swim YAGOONA accessibility. It will reopen for 15. Callan Park 13. Henley Baths station and toilets. City of Canada Bay’s site activation site and will undergo further water and sediment swimming in Summer 2020. plan will include a netted enclosure extending to the quality testing to determine its suitability. south of the existing jetty. © Land and Property Information 2015 Timeline of the Parramatta River Ten ways you can help the River The Parramatta River has experienced a long and diverse history. We all have a role in making the Parramatta River swimmable again. Here are 10 simple ways that you can help do your bit. 1989 Beachwatch established in response to public concern over the level of sewage at Parramatta River Sydney’s ocean beaches. 1989-1994 Clean Waterways Program provides investment and coordination in waterway improvements. Swim Report Early 1990s The upper Parramatta River is dredged for ferry access. Rivercat service begins in 1993. 1. Start swimming or 2. Pick up your 3. Create less 2005 Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust enjoying our living river pet waste rubbish and put it resolves critical flooding issues in the upper in other ways No one wants to in the right bin Aboriginal people use and enjoy the Parramatta catchment and works towards swimming at Lake It’s a great way to show swim in that! Or you might end up River. British settlement commences in 1788. Parramatta. your support. swimming in it. 1791 River modification begins, including planting of vineyards, citrus trees and other plants along the riverine landscape. 1830s Wetlands along the Parramatta River are drained and filled to create firm and arable land. 1850s Parramatta becomes a main metropolis. 1866 First ferry service begins with services often terminating at Rydalmere. Ferry trips to 4. Get your site right 5. Join a Bushcare 6. Install a 7. Become a Parramatta cease in 1928 due to siltation and group or plant a rainwater tank or shallowing. And keep dirt, Riverkeeper sand, chemicals and habitat garden raingarden Have fun while other waste out And provide homes And use the rain helping us deliver our 2006 Stormwater Management Service Charge of our drains. for our mascots. where it falls. plan for the river. introduced to allow additional stormwater management services to be undertaken in eligible areas. 2006 Commercial fishing ban for all areas west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge due to heavy metal accumulation in fish. 2008 The Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) is formed with the purpose of restoring and protecting the Parramatta River. 8. Check your 9. Call the 10. Take the 1880-1930s Twenty-two swimming baths are plumbing Environment Line ‘River Aware’ established along the Parramatta River. Rowing 2015 Lake Parramatta is officially reopened for and sailing also become very popular with swimming 72 years after its closure. And stop rainwater on 131 555 pledge thousands of spectators at river events. 2018 Launch of the Parramatta River Masterplan going into the sewer. To report pollution And commit to adopting incidents. five simple actions. Early 1900s Industrialisation begins to see illegal at the International Riversymposium. dumping of soil and rubbish in the river. 2019 Riverwatch water quality monitoring 1960s Water quality in the river becomes a health commenced by Sydney Water at the three priority risk. Most river swimming baths close. swimming sites identified in the Masterplan: Bayview Park, McIlwaine Park and Putney Park. 1970 Introduction of the Clean Waters Act to improve water quality. Increased awareness sees 2020 Putney Park site planned to open. plans for river improvement and relocation of 2021 Bayview Park and McIlwaine Park sites waterfront factories. planned to open. Top image: Drawn by J. Eyre; engraved by P. Slaeger [sic], A native camp near Cockle Bay, New South Wales with a view of Parramatta River, taken from Dawes’s www.ourlivingriver.com.au Point, National Library of Australia, nla.obj-135782267..