NSW Government releases draft Places to Swim guideline document

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has released a guideline document that aims to help get more people in, on and around water for recreation, supporting the creation of places for people to enjoy the state’s rivers, lakes, dams and other inland waterways.

The Places to Swim best-practice guide provides important information on planning, designing, delivering and managing swim sites to get in, on and around water in NSW. The guide has been developed by the NSW Government in collaboration with many organisations and the Places to Swim advisory panel to encourage improved access to water for recreation across NSW.

In developing the guidelines, the Department has working in partnership with all councils and eligible state agencies to improve access to water, allowing people to enjoy water-based experiences.

Places to Swim is more than just swimming, it is also about improving access for recreational engagement with waterways , such as kayaking and paddle boarding or walking and being around water.

Places to Swim is part of the Open Spaces Program, with a $16.7 million funding commitment to better connect people to water in places that need it most.

Fiona Morrison, Commissioner Open Space in the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment explained “the Places to Swim program supports the creation of great places for people to enjoy NSW’s rivers, lakes, dams and other inland waterways.”

Feedback on the draft guide is invited until 12th March 2024.

To contribute, contact the Open Space team at open.space@planning.nsw.gov.au.

Click here for more information.