Revitalised Lake Parramatta set for reopening after $1.4 million upgrade

Western Sydney swimming spot Lake Parramatta will reopen this weekend for the summer season complete with its own beach, after a $1.4 million upgrade funded by the NSW Government.

Providing another safe and accessible swimming in Sydney’s west, the more than 50,000 annual visitors to Lake Parramatta can now enjoy:

• A sandy beach within the swimming area, supported with a retaining wall;

• Improved water access through footpaths, and other accessibility features such as handrails and traction treatments for steps;

• New seating, sandstone walls, shaded areas, landscaping, bushland regeneration, improved signage, an outdoor shower; and

• The installation of a formal lifeguard viewing platform which will provide improved sightlines over the swimming area for lifeguards.

These changes have been made to improve safety and accessibility for visitors, while preserving the natural beauty of the bushland site.

Advising of the reopening NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car stated “Lake Parramatta is great spot for the people of Western Sydney to escape the summer heat, now more than ever after this upgrade.

“The revitalisation of this swimming spot is in no small part thanks to the advocacy of Donna Davis, who as Lord Mayor pushed so hard for it to be funded. Now the whole community can benefit from this investment in local amenity here in Parramatta.”

The Lake Parramatta upgrade has been completed thanks to the NSW Government’s Places to Swim program and Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants program and is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to expanding access to swimming sites for communities who live away from the coast, particularly in Western Sydney.

It comes after last summer’s opening l Penrith Beach to the public following a $2.5 million investment.

Lake Parramatta officially opens to the public from 10am tomorrow (Saturday 26th October) and will have lifeguards on duty each weekend from 10am to 6pm until Sunday 24th November 2024.

From Saturday 30th November 2024 to Thursday 30th January 2025, lifeguards will be on duty seven days per week from 10am to 7pm before returning to weekend-only patrols from 10am to 7pm from Saturday 1st February to Sunday 30th March 2025.

Images: Youngsters enjoy Lake Parramatta (top and below) and a lifeguard at the lake (middle). Credit: City of Parramatta/JNPhoto.