NEW STEPS AT PUTN EY PARK NOW COMPLETE
The City of Ryde has become the first Parramatta River Catchment Group Council to launch a new
beach activation site along the Parramatta River foreshore, with new steps at Putney Park now
complete.
The new steps contribute towards Council and the Parramatta River Catchment Group ‘s progress for
making the site – and Parramatta River – swimmable by 2025.
The project also delivers on Council’s commitment under the Greater Sydney Commission’s North
District Plan for providing greater foreshore activation and accessibility for our future community.
City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, said the steps would prove to be popular with the community
as COVID -19 restrictions gradually ease and summer approaches.
“During this term of Council, we have made it a priority to make Parramatta River more open for the
community, and these beautiful looking sandstone steps at Putney Park achieve exactly that,” Clr
Laxale said.
“Combined with other major projects such as the extension of the Ryde River Walk and the
construction of a new in -river seawall at Bennelong Park, Council believes that the Parramatta River
belongs to everybody, not just those fortunate enough to li ve on it.”
Clr Penny Pedersen, who is Vice Chair of the Parramatta River Catchment Group, said the new
access to the beach area at Putney Park was an important milestone toward a new activation zone for
all ages, a place to rest, to meet and a possible swim site for the future.
“Surveys have found that our community are very keen to swim in designated areas of the Parramatta
River and both Council and the Parramatta River Catchment Group are working hard to make that a
reality,” Clr Pedersen said.
“Guided by the Parramatta River Masterplan, we not only continue our work on making sections of
Parramatta River a world -class swimmable river, but also encouraging sediment control, reducing
stormwater run -off, improving overflows and main taining the overall health of the river.”
While the steps at Putney Park are open to the public, swimming is currently prohibited at the site
while water quality is being assessed.
