Lake Parramatta the hot spot to cool off after million-dollar transformation

Parramatta’s local swimming hole will officially open in time for the swimming season with the $1.4 million transformation of Lake Parramatta complete.

Lake Parramatta swimming area was closed to the public from May this year for works to make the swimming area safer and more accessible and deliver improvements including a new lifeguard platform, gently sloping sandy beach, shade and an outdoor shower.

More greenery, including six four-metre-high Eucalyptus trees and thousands of indigenous plant species in bush regeneration areas and garden beds complete this unique vista while new sandstone walls provide seating with a view.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said Lake Parramatta was a place close to many people’s hearts.

“Lake Parramatta is an iconic swimming spot, and these upgrades really elevate this oasis and provide a safe and comfortable environment to cool off on hot days,” Cr Martin Zaiter said.

“The eastern suburbs have Bondi, Penrith has Pondi and now more people can safely enjoy the real gem in the West – Lake Parramatta.

“Lake Parramatta is a key part of our plan to create a continuous green corridor from the Lake to Sydney Olympic Park, reflecting our bold vision to become an unrivalled River City.”

The project was shaped by community feedback with Council modifying the design to minimise impacts on the natural environment while retaining important safety and accessibility upgrades.  

Originally re-opened for swimming in 2015, Lake Parramatta attracts thousands of locals every year and City of Parramatta’s transformation of the Lake Parramatta swimming area includes important safety upgrades including new signage, a water safety community education programme and the installation of an onsite emergency response beacon.

“We welcome everyone to make memories here this summer and remind people to bring a friend and swim in the designated swimming area when supervised by lifeguards,” Cr Zaiter said.

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

From Saturday 30 November 2024 to Thursday 30 January 2025, lifeguards are on duty seven days per week from 10am to 7pm and from Saturday 1 February to Sunday 30 March 2025, lifeguards return to weekend-only patrols from 10am to 7pm.

The $1.4 million project has been proudly funded by the NSW Government through its Places to Swim program and Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants.

NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said it was a great location for people to have a dip during the warmer months.

“Lake Parramatta is great spot for the people of Western Sydney to escape the summer heat, now more than ever after this upgrade,” Ms Car said.

“The revitalisation of this swimming spot is in no small part thanks to the advocacy of Donna Davis, who has 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.”

Parramatta State MP Donna Davis said the upgrades to Lake Parramatta support the area’s fast growing population.

“The City of Parramatta design work and community consultation for these upgrades occurred during my time as Lord Mayor, so it makes me very proud to see the work completed for the benefit of local residents and visitors to Parramatta,” Ms Davis said.

“These upgrades support Parramatta’s fast growing population, ensuring a beautiful, functional place for people of all ages and abilities to relax, recreate and return to again and again."

Lifeguard on duty hours change throughout the season and for more information on patrol hours and the improvements to Lake Parramatta, please click here.

KEY FACTS

Lake Parramatta is 10.5 hectares in size and is part of the Lake Parramatta Reserve located just less than five kilometres from the Parramatta CBD. The manmade lake is the first to be built in Australia in 1856 (the twelfth engineered dam in the world built since Roman times 100BC) and was originally used to supply water for domestic purposes until 1909 and is now a heritage-listed reservoir. Facilities at the lake include boat hire, non-motorised boating facilities, children’s playground, walking trails, picnic facilities, café, barbecues, public toilets and off-street parking. Swimming was originally permitted in Lake Parramatta between 1920 and 1940 but was closed due to poor water quality at the time. The lake was reopened to swimmers in 2015 after extensive remediation works and has remained open since.