Idyllic Western Sydney swimming spot Lake Parramatta will reopen this weekend for the summer season complete with its own beach, after the Minns Labor Government funded a $1.4 million upgrade.
The works ensure families in Western Sydney now have access to another safe and accessible swimming spot close to home, without needing to travel long distances to a beach.
More than 50,000 annual visitors to Lake Parramatta can now enjoy:
- A sandy beach within the swimming area, supported with a retaining wall;
- Improved water access through footpaths, and other accessibility features such as handrails and traction treatments for steps;
- New seating, sandstone walls, shaded areas, landscaping, bushland regeneration, improved signage, an outdoor shower; and
- The installation of a formal lifeguard viewing platform which will provide improved sightlines over the swimming area for lifeguards.
These changes improve safety and accessibility for visitors, while preserving the natural beauty of the bushland site.
The Lake Parramatta upgrade has been completed thanks to the NSW Government’s Places to Swim program and Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants program.
The upgrade is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to expanding access to swimming sites for communities who live away from the coast, particularly in Western Sydney.
It comes after Labor successfully unlocked Western Sydney Lakes last summer to open Penrith Beach to the public – a major hit with locals that will return again this year following a further $2.5 million investment.
Lake Parramatta officially opens to the public from 10am Saturday, 26 October and will have lifeguards on duty each weekend from 10am to 6pm until Sunday 24 November 2024.
From Saturday 30 November 2024 to Thursday 30 January 2025, lifeguards will be on duty seven days per week from 10am to 7pm before returning to weekend-only patrols from 10am to 7pm from Saturday 1 February to Sunday 30 March 2025.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:
“Lake Parramatta is great spot for the people of Western Sydney to escape the summer heat, now more than ever after this upgrade.
“The revitalisation of this swimming spot is in no small part thanks to the advocacy of Donna Davis, who as Lord Mayor pushed so hard for it to be funded. Now the whole community can benefit from this investment in local amenity here in Parramatta.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said:
“The NSW Government’s Places to Swim program is about creating cool spaces for families and friends to gather, relax and enjoy a dip in the water.
“Through the funding received from the NSW Government, this idyllic location will now be safer, more accessible and more accommodating to its thousands of visitors each year.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:
“The City of Parramatta design work and community consultation for these upgrades occurred during my time as Lord Mayor, so it makes me very proud to see the work completed for the benefit of local residents and visitors to Parramatta.
“These upgrades support Parramatta’s fast growing population, ensuring a beautiful, functional place for people of all ages and abilities to relax, recreate and return to again and again.”
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said:
“Lake Parramatta is an iconic swimming spot, and these upgrades really elevate this oasis and provide a safe and comfortable environment to cool off on hot days.
“The eastern suburbs have Bondi, Penrith has Pondi and now more people can safely enjoy this gem in the West – Lake Parramatta.
“We welcome everyone to make memories here this summer and remind people to bring a friend and swim in the designated swimming area when supervised by lifeguards.”