Overview
The Bayview Baths on the Parramatta River were closed way back in 1969, then completely demolished in 1995. But, the City of Canada Bay Council has plans to open a new swimming spot in their place next year.
One of several pools set to open along the Sydney river in the next few years, the Bayview Park swim site in the inner west suburb of Concord is on track to welcome the budgie smuggler-wearing public by April 2021.
The Council's plan involves fully redeveloping the swimming area, making it a safe environment with clean waters (with ongoing water quality reporting), a netted area that's set apart from the existing jetty and an outdoor shower to boot.
The park is located right along the Parramatta River, in between Harmony Point and the dog-friendly Hen and Chicken Bay foreshore walk. Its existing facilities include a sandy beach, plus covered picnic tables, barbecues and toilets.
An artist's impression of the Bayview Park swim site
At the moment, Council is working with Sydney Water to assess the site and test the water quality, and its plans for the swimming site are open for community feedback, with a virtual drop-in session happening from 6–7pm on Wednesday, September 16. If you're interested, you can register over here.
The development is happening in partnership with the Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG), which is working to make the Parramatta River swimmable again by 2025. In addition to Bayview Park, swimming sites at McIlwaine Park (Rhodes East) and Putney Park (Putney) are also on the docket for the near future. And more are up for discussion, including, as reported by the SMH, Gladesville's Bedlam Bay.
The Bayview Park swim site is set to open in April 2021. For more details on the existing, planned and proposed Parramatta River swimming sites, check out this interactive map.