A new initiative launched by the Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG), Our Living River, is on a mission to bring back swimming to the entire Parramatta River by 2025.
The initiative, spearheaded by 12 local councils, government agencies and community groups within the catchment area, is proposing to set a range of achievable targets for the aim of bringing currently unusable parts of the river and surrounding creeks back to life.
Currently, the river west of Cabarita is un-swimmable, with the exception of Lake Parramatta.
“The benefits of bringing swimming and a range of other recreational activities back to parts of the river that are currently un-activated would have tangible social and economic benefits to the two million Western Sydney residents who surround the area,” said Mayor of Parramatta Scott Lloyd, Chair of the PRCG.
Benefits to improving currently un-activated parts of the river, surrounding creeks and open areas include better public amenities, greater liveability, healthier living, social connection, increased biodiversity, business opportunities and increased property value.
“Our Living River will make the entire river an extension of the local community’s backyard – as every Aussie has the right for a cool dip, in a beautiful clean environment without having to drive more than an hour in a hot car to the nearest ocean beach,” said Mayor Lloyd.
To kick-start making the river swimmable again and bring Our Living River to life the initiative will look to obtain a commitment of five million dollars over three years, create an all-levels of government task force to look at restoring the river to full health, and the establishment of a consistent, entire river catchment, water quality monitoring program
