Inner West Council has discussed the idea with the Parramatta River Catchment Group,a coalition of councils,government agencies and community groups working to open more spaces along the river to recreation.
Although Mort Bay is technically part of Sydney Harbour,the group has offered assistance. Sydney Water will need to undertake water and sediment testing to approve the site for swimming.
It has been 10 months since Barangaroo’s Marrinawi Coveopened to the public. The Sydney Harbour pool has since been fitted with railings to allow swimmers to descend the slippery rocks more safely.
“I think Marrinawi Cove is a really good example of how many people will use Mort Bay,” Shetty said,noting that while people already have an “informal dip” there it would be preferable for sites to be tested and managed.
“Doing something that is going to make it safer and more comfortable to get in and out of the water will probably need to happen,” Shetty said.
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Bayview Park reopened for swimming in November last year,after it was closed in 1969 due to poor water quality. Data collected over several years indicated it was again safe for swimming.
River swimming is still not recommended within three days of heavy rain.
University of Sydney water expert Professor Stuart Khan said testing a new swimming spot would typically take two years,noting BeachWatch’s ratings were based on 100 samples,taken six days apart.
“When we are looking at swim sites in the harbour,the most important thing to understand is the risk relating to pathogens and that takes time because it changes with the weather and development in the area,” he said.
“The other risk we look at is chemical contaminants,often in the sediment. Mort Bay was an industrial area,so you would expect some pollution.”
On Saturday,the river catchment group unveiled another recreation site in time for summer:McIlwaine Park in Rhodes,which has undergone a foreshore upgrade making the site suitable for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Swimming spots at Putney Park and Bedlam Bay,in Gladesville,are scheduled to open early next year.
A tidal pool at Callan Park,in Lilyfield,to be managed by Inner West Council,was approved in February after two years of water quality testing and is also expected to open next year.
The 50-metre pool will have swimming lanes,as well as a jetty and two moored pontoons for sunbathing and diving.
Khan said the Callan Park design was an example of what could be done to facilitate safe swimming in an area with contaminated sediment,noting it featured a boardwalk and jetty to facilitate swimming in deeper water.
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