In our Community Strategic Plan, one of Inner West’s primary Environmental directions is that “waterways are healthy and the community is water-sensitive, treating water as a precious resource”. In line with this strategic direction and the wishes of our community, Council has set an objective to “identify and plan for new river swim sites” and, even more specifically “reinstate Leichhardt tidal baths”.

In addition to healthy rivers, we want to have a healthy community, by providing “facilities, spaces and programs that support community health and wellbeing”.

Opening a new place for residents and visitors to swim and enjoy the Parramatta River at Callan Point will achieve both of these objectives in one project. It will allow people to maintain an active lifestyle, linking river swimming with the Leichhardt Sports precinct, the Bay Run and the beautiful parkland of Callan Park; and help people better understand the value of keeping our rivers clean and healthy as they get increased opportunities to swim and play in them.

This project is also part of Council’s ongoing work as a member of the Parramatta River Catchment Group (see below for more information).

The swim site was identified many years ago by the former Leichhardt Council and is also identified in the Callan Park Landscape Structure Plan. It has great connections to the Bay Run and a frontage to a calm and protected section of Iron Cove.

Nearby locations, such as the area in front of King George V sporting fields on the eastern side of Callan Point, have been ruled out in preliminary feasibility assessments as they have cultural significance to our local Indigenous community. Sites further to the west along the Bay Run are less suitable for swimming as the water is shallower, they will be more affected by stormwater from Hawthorne and Dobroyd canals, and they will have a greater impact on other river users such as rowing and sailing clubs.

Inner West residents of Haberfield, Dobroyd Point, Rozelle, Annandale, Leichhardt and Lilyfield would fall into a 10-minute walking catchment of the new swim site, as would residents of nearby LGAs in suburbs such as Rodd Point, Five Dock, Russel Lea and Drummoyne.

Council doesn’t own or manage Callan Park (although we do manage some of the sporting grounds within Callan Park for our community under a lease with Greater Sydney Parklands).

Greater Sydney Parklands is the NSW Government agency that is the custodian of Greater Sydney’s most iconic urban parks and manages Callan Park. Greater Sydney Parklands also manages other major public parklands in Sydney including Centennial Parklands, Parramatta Park, Western Sydney Parklands, and Fernhill Estate.

Access to the site and any associated works such as landscaping will be located in Callan Park, managed by Greater Sydney Parklands. Inner West will work closely with Greater Sydney Parklands on this aspect of the design, particularly as Callan Park is a State-listed heritage item, just like our nearby swim site at Dawn Fraser Baths.

The swimming area and associated structures themselves are located within the waterway, and when Council arrives at a suitable draft design, we will need to plan with NSW Maritime (part of Transport for NSW), to put in place a suitable agreement to use the part of the river that the swim site will occupy and take on board any feedback that they provide.

Council will work closely with Greater Sydney Parklands in the development of the concept plan. Their review and endorsement of the proposal and concept design has not commenced or been finalised. These discussions will commence after the finalisation of the community consultation.

The swim site will be maintained by Council.

Council has also presented on this matter to the Callan Park community trustee board which includes local community representatives.

In 2018, Council resolved to commit to the swim site and fund critical preliminary work including long-run environmental health and water quality testing which has been ongoing ever since. The results of this testing are that the site is safe to swim on most days of the year, apart from after particularly heavy rains, which can wash pollutants into the river. This is the case for all of the swim sites in the Parramatta River and not just Callan Point.

Council has also tested sediments and chemicals and has designed the swim site to be safe from a human health risk perspective. The site will have an on-site water quality monitor and Council will be able to update users about safe swimming information in real time.

The design includes a shark-proof enclosure around the swimming area with the specifics yet to be determined. Council will ensure that human safety is a priority when commissioning this aspect of the swim site but has also asked our design team to look at the most ecologically sensitive way of providing a shark barrier.

In a similar fashion to an ocean pool, this type of swim site does not require a permanent lifeguard, but will be designed with safety facilities and signage. Council will monitor the site as required.

Yes. The design has been informed by a requirement for new Council facilities to be as inclusive and accessible as possible.

Along with several other Councils which have a foreshore to Sydney Harbour, and agencies such as Sydney Water, Inner West is part of the Parramatta River Catchment Group. The group is led by a committee of elected Councillors from member councils, independent members from interest groups such as bushcare and landcare societies, and Sydney Water.

The group seeks to advocate for the health of our river system, and as well as undertaking significant strategic planning work, is instrumental in improving public access to the harbour by opening new swimming sites. Sites have opened in Parramatta and Canada Bay in recent years, with sites due to open in Hunters Hill and Ryde very soon.

The group will be hosted by Inner West Council from July 2024 and will also assist in the launch of a swim site at Mort Bay in the future.

Parramatta River Catchment Group:

Home | Parramatta River (ourlivingriver.com.au)

NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure

Sydney Water “Urban Plunge”:

Home (sydneywater.com.au)

National Health and Medical Research Council:

guidelines-for-managing-risks-in-recreational-water.pdf (nhmrc.gov.au)