Sydney gets a new harbour swimming location at Barangaroo

January 10, 2023

Sydney has its first new harbour swimming location west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in more than 50 years with a new swimming enclosure at Marrinawi Cove, located at the northern end of Barangaroo Reserve and boasting skyline views, having just reopened to swimmers.

To ensure the community can swim safely, safety netting, signage and a new shower has been installed. Following the summer period, the NSW Government will review how the enclosure has been used before considering whether further facilities, such as decking or ladders to enter the water are required. More opportunities for swimming around the Barangaroo precinct continue to be investigated.

NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the opening of Marrinawi Cove to swimming demonstrating the NSW Government’s commitment to building more recreation facilities for future generations.

Minister Stokes noted “our city stopped building ocean and harbour pools more than half a century ago - it’s past time to provide more great, safe public places to swim. Being able to swim at Marranawi Cove is only possible because we have invested in cleaning up our harbour from industrial wastelands to aquatic playgrounds.

“We’ll continue to explore more ways to increase public access to the harbour for swimming and water sports across urban renewal sites including Barrangaroo, Blackwattle Bay and Bays West.”

Local State Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said swimming at Marrinawi Cove was a great opportunity to provide more public recreation at Barangaroo.

“Marrinawi Cove offers a fitting foundation for a swimming enclosure, and we know for thousands of years our traditional custodians, the Gadigal, used the land around Barangaroo for fishing, canoeing and swimming,” Greenwich said.

“This is a major win for the community who have advocated for the ban on swimming to be lifted.”

Image top and centre: Marrinawi Cove; Image above: inister Rob Stokes and Alex Greenwich at Marrinawi Cove opening. Images courtesy Minister Stokes Facebook

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