The NSW Government Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has released Places to Swim: A best practice guide to get in, on, and around water in NSW.  

It features a case study of Marrinawi Cove, on Gadigal Country in Sydney Harbour, which opened for swimming in January 2023 with a temporary enclosure designed by OCULUS with SMC Marine.  

The Places to Swim program supports the creation of great places for people to enjoy our rivers, lakes, dams, and other inland waterways – it’s more than just swimming, it is also about improving access for recreational engagement with waterways, such as kayaking and paddle boarding or walking and being around water.  

The best practice guide helps provide better access to water for recreation, with practical tools for anyone involved in establishing or managing a swim site. The work received a 2024 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects NSW Award of Excellence for Landscape Planning.  

Creating places to swim can benefit communities by promoting health and well-being, encouraging outdoor recreation, boosting tourism, and protecting the environment.