Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link

Reviewed

Project overview

The Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link (the Link) is a program of works that will deliver Sydney’s longest walking and bike riding route.

About the Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link 

The 91km continuous link will connect Parramatta Park to the Opera House and Botanical Gardens allowing both pedestrians and bike riders to travel along large parts of Sydney’s iconic foreshore.

The Link will provide opportunity for locals, Sydneysiders, and tourists to safely walk and ride bikes along Sydney’s iconic foreshore, enjoy the outdoors, and celebrate our rich cultural history and beautiful natural environment. 

The Link will provide unique opportunities to connect to Saltwater Country and local Aboriginal cultures by showcasing the experience of the water’s edge. 

Some sections of the foreshore are already popular and cater to people walking and riding bikes of varying ages and abilities. However, access to the foreshore between the Sydney Opera House and Parramatta Park is currently discontinuous and of varying quality. We have developed an interactive map which displays the areas where you can walk or bike ride now.

The program will initially focus on progressively planning and delivering early delivery works projects. The long-term plan to complete the Link is proposed to include upgrades to existing sections of path, as well as filling in missing links over time to create a continuous route, subject to planning approvals and funding decisions.

Early delivery program

We are working with local councils to plan the early delivery program of work. This work is in addition to the broader package of works for future delivery.  

The early works projects are being selected in areas that can be relatively easily upgraded, provide immediate improvements for pedestrians and bike riders, and showcase the benefits of a more connected foreshore link between Parramatta and the Sydney central business districts (CBDs).

Further information on current and proposed early delivery projects is available on our interactive map.

View map

City of Canada Bay Council

There are four early delivery projects proposed to be delivered by City of Canada Bay Council. The projects include:

  • Shadrack Shaw Reserve, Concord - a new shared path
  • Wire Mill Reserve, Chiswick - an upgraded shared path
  • Allison, Campbell and Lysaght Parks, Chiswick - new and upgraded shared paths and four shared/pedestrian crossings
  • The Bay Run - three new shared/pedestrian crossings.

City of Canada Bay Council is undertaking community engagement from 22 November to 20 December 2023. Please visit council's website for more information and your opportunity to provide feedback. 

All feedback provided to City of Canada Bay Council during early works consultation will be considered and used to inform the next stages of project design. Further consultation may be carried out later in the design process. 

We will continue to update you as the program develops.

Benefits 

Potential benefits of the link include: 

  • Encouraging healthy and sustainable trips and recreation – more footpaths, crossings, and bike paths help families to stay healthy and spend quality time together by providing safer, more inclusive facilities.  
  • Improving accessibility for key growth areas along the foreshore – all kids and families should be able to enjoy getting where they need to go safely with good footpaths and bike paths, plenty of crossings and calm streets. 
  • Stimulating local economies by generating activity that will support local business - along this 91km route there is a mix of businesses, educational institutions, and visitor destinations. By creating further connectivity and improving the current route there is a significant opportunity to generate sustainable activity that will support local business, facilitating job creation, and local economic activity. 
  • Improving access to Sydney’s iconic harbour and river foreshores – the Link will increase access to our unique harbour and river foreshore for local, regional, and international visitors to explore by providing more recreation opportunities.

Consultation

Transport undertook engagement on the Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link in early 2023. Thank you to community members who took the time to share feedback. 

The Consultation Report (PDF, 654.79 KB) summarises the feedback received during the consultation period.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the timeframes for the project?

    Early works projects will be progressively planned and delivered from 2023/2024. 

    Further works will be planned and delivered as funding becomes available.

    How was this project identified? 

    In 2020 the McKell Institute put forward a proposal in a discussion paper called ‘Activating the Harbour City’. The proposal was for a continuous foreshore path between Sydney Opera House and Parramatta CBD with the aim to facilitate job creation and economic activity and reinvigorate daily life through walking and riding along the foreshore. 

    In April 2021, Transport commenced a feasibility study which identified significant opportunities to improve access and provide a continuous walking and bike riding route along most of this route.

    How does the Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link connect to the rest of the bike network in the area?

    We are developing a program that will consider how the foreshore link connects to and extends the bike network. By working collaboratively with councils, we will ensure the project complements their existing bike plans and strategies.

    Where can I find out more about the early works projects?

    We are currently finalising a program of early works with City of Parramatta, Inner West, and City of Canada Bay councils, and with the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust. These early works projects were identified in masterplans and other planning strategies.

    How were early delivery projects selected? 

    Transport has worked closely with councils to identify projects that are not complex, relatively simple to deliver, and provide immediate benefits to improve foreshore access at key locations.

    Who are you consulting with?

    We are working with, City of Parramatta, Inner West Council and City of Canada Bay Council, and with the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust.

    What community consultation has taken place?

    In early 2023, Transport undertook a round of consultation to seek general community feedback on the use of sections along the foreshore which are currently accessible to better understand aspirations for completing the Link. The consultation report is available above to read.

     

    Where can I find out more about the foreshore link? 

    To find out more visit our interactive map or email projects@transport.nsw.gov.au, or call 1800 684 490