The bi-annual Get the Site Right blitz happening across local construction sites on Thursday 18 May will be an important contributor to City of Ryde's exciting plans to open the redeveloped Putney Beach for swimming this coming summer.
Get the Site Right is a joint taskforce of local councils, catchment groups, NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Department of Planning and Environment (DPE), which targets erosion and sediment control on commercial and residential building sites across NSW.
It works with developers, builders, and the community to raise awareness about the harmful effects of sediment runoff into our creeks, rivers, harbours, and beaches, and highlights the important role they play in helping to improve water quality and protect our natural environment and wildlife.
Thursday's one-day blitz will see councils, the EPA and DPE go out in force to inspect developments of all sizes and take regulatory action as required. A follow-up blitz week will be held in October.
Plans to open four more swimming and recreational sites on the Parramatta River over the next few years – including Putney Beach – are dependent on continued efforts to improve water quality through initiatives like Get the Site Right.
The Putney Beach project has already generated great interest amongst the community, with many taking part in a public consultation on the activation of the site, which closed on Sunday 14 May.
With the support of the NSW State Government 'Places to Swim' grant, the City of Ryde plans to launch the newest Parramatta River swim site, on the foreshore at Putney Park, during summer 2023/2024.
To help activate the foreshore, Council has already constructed the Putney Park Beach Stairs.
The works included construction of sandstone steps centrally located along the foreshore to provide access to the beach, seating, and tree planting.
City of Ryde Mayor Clr Sarkis Yedelian OAM said the Putney Beach project would further enhance the amenity of already-popular Putney Park.
"We're making City of Ryde a place to live, work, and play," he said. "With the planned opening of Putney Beach this summer, we'll have a beautiful beach in our own backyard and our residents won't have to go far to enjoy the sun, the salt water, and the sand.
"Keeping our water clean and swimmable is a vital part of the Putney Beach activation and Get the Site Right is an important initiative that Council fully supports."
Council, along with NSW Beachwatch, the EPA, UNSW, Sydney Water and NSW Health, has been monitoring and undertaking testing of the water quality since 2018. Water quality monitoring will continue.
