Places to Swim: Perspectives Report

People love to recreate around, on and in the water. As part of the Department of Planning and Open Spaces Program, Places to Swim provides an opportunity to improve access to natural waterways for recreation across NSW. This report investigates the issues, barriers and benefits associated with opening waterways for recreation. NSW is enriched with a range of beautiful and healthy waterways providing opportunities for people to swim and recreate safely, create places that people can visit, and help build better communities. A key attribute for all swimming sites is ensuring they are safe to use. Recreation involving waterways inherently involves risks, including exposure to waterborne contaminants and the risk of injury and drowning. As new swimming sites are opened the risks need to be identified, monitored, and managed.