Elite suburb is shedding reserved parking spaces to allow visitors access to the beach
He said there were other harbor bathing spots near Shark Beach, including the netted Redleaf Pool at Double Bay and Watsons Bay Baths.
Sydney Water will begin construction of a new pumping station at Parsley Bay, also in Vaucluse, in early 2024 that will aim to end pumping raw sewage into the ocean.
A Sydney Water spokesman said access to Parsley Bay beach would not be affected during the three-year construction period, but a community spokesman said this could have further implications for other bathing spots in the eastern suburbs.
“The council will be examining options for new harbor bathing sites over the next 12 months,” he said.
However, he said the New South Wales government must approve any new docks.
Is loading
The City Council’s Transport Committee last week recommended replacing resident parking on several streets in Watsons Bay with timed parking restrictions to encourage parking rotation.
The committee rejected requests from residents to keep parking spaces free for their use, as this would merely conflict with the requirement to allow other motorists equal access to parking.
Local residents have also complained about the lack of enforcement of existing parking restrictions in community surveys – although the council’s transport committee said more than 900 parking fines had been imposed in six weeks over the summer.
They also blame the parking problems on commercial vehicles associated with construction work at the HMAS Watson naval base.
Is loading
Woollahra Councilwoman Harriet Price said competition for parking spaces was a “real challenge” in Watsons Bay.
“Some car parks in Watsons Bay are extremely unique and offer exclusive parking virtually only to residents,” she said.
Price said the council is also trying to persuade private schools to open their swimming pools to the public.
“I hope they can join in to help the wider community,” she said.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Login here.
