A 10-year plan to clean up Parramatta River might make it safe for swimming again, but there are fears that the clearer water could also bring back sharks.
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Most areas of the river have not been safe for swimming for more than 50 years due to sewerage contamination, stormwater runoff and other pollutants. But the Parramatta River Catchment Group, made up of councils and government agencies, is aiming to make the entire river safe to swim in by 2025.
But swimmers might have to look out for sharks, which have been spotted at two separate points along the river in the past.
A bull shark knocked a man from his kayak near Cabarita Marina in 2002, and a bronze whaler shark bit a swimmer at Charles Street Wharf in 1996.
"Improvement in water quality over time should result in increased fish stocks, but it is too early to say whether this would also mean an increase in shark populations," said a spokeswoman for Sydney Aquarium.
Radio personality Angela Catterns frequently swam at one of the few safe spots east of Cabarita as a child, and will still occasionally go in the water.
"I'll swim in it when it looks clean and it's high tide," said Ms Catterns. "Am I worried about sharks? Mildly, but not enough to stop me going in on a hot day.
"I've heard stories about people and dogs being taken, but I've never seen a shark. I did see a dolphin up there once."
A spokeswoman for the Parramatta River Catchment Group, which is leading the Our Living River initiative, said: "Currently where it is swimmable, there are a range of measures in place to ensure swimmers' safety. Any new swimming spots will also have these same measures in place."
About a million people currently live within 20 minutes of the river catchment, which runs through 13 local government areas from Parramatta to Leichhardt.
Property owners and factories along the river could face increased regulations under the initiative, the catchment group has confirmed.
"Regulation from the 70s, 80s, and 90s has already dramatically improved the water quality along the river," said a spokeswoman for the group.
"A further increase in regulation would no doubt improve the water quality of the river and is something that Our Living River will look at as part of the government taskforce the group is looking to establish."
Executive director of the Total Environment Centre Jeff Angel said: "There's a case for regulation, pollution minimisation plans to enforce clean practices."
Mr Angel estimates that the clean up will cost "at least $50 million".
The initiative is aiming to raise an initial amount of $5 million over three years, set up five pilot swimming sites and review previous clean up and water management programs. People are being asked to vote for places along the river that they would like to swim at on the initiative's website.
"Our Living River will make the entire river an extension of the local community's backyard...every Aussie has the right for a cool dip, in a beautiful, clean environment without having to drive more than an hour in a hot car to the nearest ocean beach," said Scott Lloyd, mayor of Parramatta and chair of the catchment group.
