A FROLIC in Cabarita Beach and Chiswick Baths during the expected long, hot summer is now on the holiday list for inner westies as a clean water initiative pays off.

The multi-council initiative to clean up the industrial toxins that have blighted the river for decades is paying dividends with locals already taking the plunge.

For the first time in many years, the water has been deemed clean and safe for swimmers.

media_camera Cabarita Beach is an inner west river beach that has been declared safe for swimmers.

Parramatta Mayor Paul Garrard said the plan to make the Parramatta River swimmable was working and the return of swimming in Cabarita Beach was a sign of things to come.

“We have returned swimming to Lake Parramatta and it has been a tremendous success,” Cr Garrard said.

“Over time we hope we can achieve clean water throughout the river, servicing the recreational needs of the inner west and western Sydney.”

media_camera Cabarita Park was first designted as a recreation area in the 1880s – and people today continue to take advantage of the picteresque park and the clean, safe swimming conditions.

Canada Bay Greens councillor Pauline Tyrrell said she was pleased the areas were declared swimmable.

“It’s much nicer to swim in the natural river than in an artificial pool. It means that residents don’t have to travel long distances to the ocean, especially on hot days,” Cr Tyrrell said.

“People who are keen to swim at any time don’t have to drive to the beach on a hot day, or get a bus from Drummoyne to Coogee Beach.

“It’s much nicer to walk down the end of your road to Cabarita, which will also benefit residents in Breakfast Point and Chiswick.”

media_camera Splash down – Daniella Luchi, Holly Davey, Chloe May and Taylah Pepper enjoying the perfect conditions at Cabarita Beach.

NSW Environment and Heritage’s Beachwatch program, which regularly monitors harbour swimming sites, has given the City of Canada Bay spots the tick of approval.

Swimming in the river is becoming a reality again, only one year into the Our Living River initiative, which aims to make it completely swimmable by 2025.

Canada Bay mayor Angelo Tsirekas said it was great to see the locations were safe for swimming.

“Continuing to focus on this project and improving the Parramatta River to ensure it will be swimmable will be of great benefit to all communities along the river,” Cr Tsirekas said.

The Parramatta River Catchment Group’s chairman and Ryde mayor Jerome Laxale said he was captivated by the notion of being able to swim in Parramatta River again.

“Community involvement is paying off already,” Cr Laxale said. “This year we saw a pod of eight dolphins as far west as Silverwater Bridge for the first time in a long time.”

media_camera Screen grab of a dolphin filmed earlier this year at Brays Bay in Rhodes by Bruce Whiting, who kayaked with this five-year-old son Michael to see them.

Canada Bay, Strathfield, Burwood, Ashfield and Leichhardt are among 12 local councils spearheading the campaign, which is developing a river masterplan.

The plan aims to restore the river to full health and activation by setting achievable goals to bring currently unusable parts of the river and creeks back to life.

“After decades of neglect, we are now bringing our river and surrounding creeks back to their former glory,” Cr Laxale said.

“This will have tangible social and economic benefits to the two million residents who surround the area.”

media_camera Cabarita Beach recently opened for the first time in 72 years.

Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, Drummoyne Swimming Pool and Cabarita Swimming Pool are open to swimmers, while Battersea Park, Henry Lawson Park and Rodd Park are all unswimmable.

■ The river west of Cabarita is unswimmable, except for Lake Parramatta (safe when lifeguards are on patrol)

■ The site recently opened for the first time in 72 years

■ Dolphins, seals and penguins have been sighted swimming in the river

■ Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, Drummoyne and Cabarita swimming pools, Cabarita Beach and Chiswick Baths are safe places to swim in the Parramatta River

Have you been for a dip in the Parramatta River lately? Tell us about it at: facebook.com/innerwestcourier