Malinawi Cove in Barangaroo opens to swimmers on Sydney Harbor

The state government has said it is exploring options to increase public access to swimming in Sydney Harbour, after opening new areas of Barangaroo Reserve to those who want to enjoy the splash.

Malinawi Cove, at the northern end of the reserve, has safety nets and signs for harbor swimmers and new showers.

However, the government won’t add decks or ladders to enter the water until it reviews usage in late summer.

Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Minister Rob Stokes said the government is investigating more options for swimming in Barangaroo.

“Our city stopped building sea and harbor pools more than half a century ago. Providing better and safer public places to swim is a thing of the past,” he said. Told.

“You can swim at Maranawi Cove because we invested in clearing the harbor from an industrial wasteland to a water playground.

“We will continue to explore ways to increase public access to the port for swimming and water sports across urban redevelopment sites such as Barangaroo, Blackwattle Bay and Bayes West.”

Yasmina Bonnet of Millers Point Resident Action Group welcomed the announcement after years of lobbying for a swimming area.

She told ABC Radio Sydney that the scenery is spectacular.

“When you’re swimming in the cove, you’re just on the edge of the CBD, but surrounded by natural vegetation and looking out over Goat Island, you don’t get to see many of the CBD’s buildings. A beautiful nature experience,” she said. rice field.

Bonnet said the water quality in the area is affected by boating, but the cove is safe for swimming.

“The state government has been testing the water for quite some time before installing shark nets. It’s Sydney Harbor, so you always get residue,” she said.

Professor Stuart Kahn, a water quality expert at the University of New South Wales, told ABC Radio Sydney that it is important to monitor water quality as it changes with the weather.

“That often means that water quality is poor during wet weather, and that prolonged dry weather can improve water quality because less rainwater flows into the harbor.

“Don’t think of it as a set and forget about water quality issues.

The Parramatta River master plan encourages more swimming spots to be explored, and the Gulf of Canada Council recently reopened Bayview Park on the Parramatta River for the first time in 50 years.

Pirama Park in Pyrmont Swimming will resume.