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Putney Park Swim Site Activation

Project typeOpen Space, Sport and Recreation Program
Project StatusPlanning

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With the support of the NSW State Government ‘Places to Swim’ grant, the City of Ryde will be launching the new Parramatta River swim site, at Putney Park.

Places to Swim connects people to water in places that need it the most, creating better access to get in, on and around inland waterways across NSW; through a $16.7 million commitment to high quality open space. Together with the NSW Government, the City of Ryde is delivering infrastructure that is essential for communities, increasing access to water for recreation across the state. The NSW Government has contributed $698,475 to the delivery of the Putney Park swim site project.

In partnership with the Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG), Council is working to improve the health of the river long term and deliver new river swimming sites by 2025. This new swimming site at Putney Park will enable our community to escape the heat and cool off with a river swim and is one of several new locations across the Parramatta River, expanding in-river opportunities.

The City of Ryde acknowledges the significant community interest in the Putney Beach Swim Site, which was scheduled to be officially open for the 2023/24 summer. Overall, more than 70% of respondents who engaged with our Putney Park Swim Site Activation ‘Have Your Say’ in May 2023 stated that they would swim at the new site once it opens.

Unfortunately, due to complex and evolving approval processes for construction on land that is not owned by Council, the project has been delayed. Council’s tendering process was completed, and contractors were ready to commence work on the installation of a swimming safety net in October 2023. But unforeseen changes to the external stakeholder approval gateway means that Council has had to commence a new Development Application.

Council will continue to do everything it can to make sure local swimmers are able to use the picturesque Parramatta River site in 2024. Major works have already been completed at the site, including the construction of stairs for easy access to the beach and water quality monitoring is continuing with positive results.