People love to hang out around water, especially on hot summer days. And, for those who aren’t near the ocean, Australia is blessed with beautiful inland waterways. In New South Wales, the government wants to increase access to these “blue” natural environments, especially for people living far from the coast.
Authors
Nicky Morrison
Professor of Planning and Director of Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University
Ian A. Wright
Associate Professor in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University
One of these swimming sites is , which has just opened to the public for the summer. This new site in the heart of Western Sydney is part of the state government’s program. It’s likely to be an important refuge for locals to seek relief from .
Our recently published informed the government’s new . Now out for public consultation, the draft guide aims to help anyone involved in establishing or managing a swim site.
People want natural swimming spots, but are they safe?
The program responds to two government surveys, covering and . These showed:
people see access to water as very important – about half enjoy outdoor water recreation activities at least once a week
swimming in natural areas is growing in popularity
demand for access points and storage facilities for activities such as kayaking and paddle-boarding is increasing.
But are natural waterways safe to use? Recreation involving waterways inherently entails risks like and potential for injury and drowning. As new swim sites are opened, the risks need to be identified, monitored and managed.
Time spent in ‘blue’ nature has many benefits
Our report, prepared by the , outlined the benefits of opening swim sites across the state.
Spending time in “blue” nature has many and benefits. Other social, cultural, economic and ecological spin-offs are equally valuable.
These natural sites are freely available to all (and pleasingly chemical-free). People come together at these places, which strengthens sense of community and belonging.
Economic multipliers arise from the increase in visitors to an area.
An increased public focus on ensuring the water is clean also benefits the wider ecosystems that depend on it.
We also provided a checklist of things to consider when setting up or managing a swim site. These include:
the need to assess upfront, and then continually monitor,
and transport points
risks and hazards in what can be physically tricky sites
environmental considerations, including any critical habitats, in what might otherwise be an undisturbed natural environment
any required planning processes and formal approvals
ongoing governance arrangements, which might involve more than one body.
Learning from the best
also offered six case studies of projects in Australia and New Zealand, Canada and Europe. These provide good examples of how to proceed.
The case study from New Zealand’s program has an to help people find the best places to swim across the country. This public advice, provided by the partnership, includes weekly water quality test results.
In Canada, showcases innovative water-quality monitoring that directly involves the community. It’s done by volunteer “citizen scientists” co-ordinated by a government-funded charity, Swim Drink Fish.
As confirmed by research on – our innate affinity with nature – bringing people closer to nature is not just about direct benefits to individuals. It also encourages us to look after the natural ecosystems on which we ultimately depend.
Recognition of the benefits of spending time in “blue” nature will continue to grow. We therefore need to put more effort into designing water-based activities as part of life in our cities and towns. It’s especially important for those without ready access to coastal beaches.
It’s time to get more active in promoting and improving these great water resources. These facilities will also need to be closely monitored and managed. The investment is worth it.
Nicky Morrison received funding from the NSW government.
Ian A. Wright received funding from the NSW government.
