A proposal has been put forward by Business Western Sydney to create new beach and swimming spots along the rivers in western Sydney. Some of the suggested locations include a sandy beach at Menangle Road crossing the Nepean River, a swimming spot in Penrith, a jetty pool at North Richmond, and a new beach at Haigh Park in Moorebank. The plan also includes converting the Cumberland Council depot on the Duck River tributary into a public pool, gym, and cafe. The aim is to provide more recreational opportunities for western Sydneysiders, who currently have limited access to waterways compared to coastal areas.
Some of the more ambitious beach projects in the proposal include a beach at Lansvale near Fairfield along the length of Floyd Bay, and a beach and jetty inside Prospect Reservoir. The lobby group behind the plan envisions activating the riverbanks around these new beaches with footpaths, bike tracks, kiosks, and boat hire facilities. They also suggest hosting markets, festivals, and function spaces at some locations to further enhance the recreational opportunities in western Sydney. However, there are concerns raised by environmentalists about the potential impact of adding more concrete in these areas, as it could lead to increased urban heat and harm native vegetation critical for protecting communities from natural disasters.
Sam Johnson, a coastal wetlands campaigner at the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, warns that increasing development along the rivers could result in more flood-prone homes in western Sydney. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy riparian vegetation to prevent erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitat for various species. The report, titled Our Rivers, highlights the disparity in access to amenities between western Sydney and coastal areas, with western Sydneysiders having less access to waterways despite experiencing higher temperatures due to their distance from the cooling sea breezes.
Business Western Sydney believes that the proposed program could be funded through a combination of state government funding, local council river levies, and private developer contributions. They argue that compared to the cost of major public infrastructure projects, the investment required for these new beaches and swimming spots is relatively small. Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car is set to speak at an event launching the report, although her office has not commented on the specific proposal.
The lobby group’s proposal aims to address the lack of recreational opportunities along the rivers in western Sydney and provide residents with closer access to water-based activities. By creating new beaches, swimming spots, and other amenities along the rivers, they hope to improve the quality of life for western Sydneysiders and mitigate the impact of rising temperatures due to climate change. Despite concerns raised by environmentalists about the potential environmental impact of the plan, Business Western Sydney believes that the benefits of enhancing access to waterways in the region outweigh the potential drawbacks.
