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Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program

Before: Iron Cove foreshore alongside Henley Marine Drive, Drummoyne, in 1985

Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program is a NSW government initiative to improve public access to and enhance the recreational enjoyment of Sydney Harbour and its tributaries for the people of and visitors to Sydney.

The Program contributes to the priorities of the State Plan, including Priority E8: "More people using parks, sporting and recreational facilities, and participating in the arts and cultural activity." Commitments under Priority E8 include "providing recreational boating infrastructure through the Maritime Infrastructure Program and Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program."

The Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program was launched in February 2003 to assist with implementing the Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Plan [PDF 2.4 MB]. The NSW Government has recently announced that the Program will be extended over five years to provide $6.75 million until 2013. View media release [PDF] - funding announcement (2007)

Each year up to $1.35 million is distributed on a dollar-for-dollar basis for specific capital works projects such as walking tracks, cycle paths, new public waterfront parks, jetties, pontoons and boat launching facilities. With matching funds from applicants, the program is expected to lead to at least $30 million worth of access improvements.

In 2008, the Access Program will also consider the funding of lighting, signage and brochure projects, where it is demonstrated how these projects will provide improved access to the foreshore.

Who can apply?

After: Same area today after construction of the 'Bay Run', which received $200,000 funding in 2003.

The 26 local councils and registered recreational organisations (e.g. boating or cycling clubs) in the Sydney Harbour catchment are all eligible applicants for grant funding. Recreational organisations wanting to apply must have the written support of the local council.

Applications are closed for 2008. The next round of grant funding will be in early 2009.

Funded projects

To date, 123 projects across 20 council areas have received grant funds. With matching funds from grant recipients, these projects will deliver at least $13 million worth of access and recreational improvements, including:

28 km of new or improved walking/cycling paths
improvements to three boat ramps
public domain improvements at 40 locations
new or improved small boat access facilities at 32 locations
dinghy storage facilities at 29 locations
14 new or improved pick-up and set-down wharves and jetties.

View more information about the projects in:

2003 [PDF]
2004 [PDF]
2005 [PDF]
2006 [PDF]
2007 [PDF]

View Sydney Harbour maps showing projects funded between 2003 and 2007:

View before and after photos showing improvements to Sydney Harbour public access since the program began.

Enquiries

Please phone the Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program Coordinator on (02) 9228 6256 or email harbour@planning.nsw.gov.au.