The swan-shaped boats ruffling a Sydney council’s feathers

2 months ago 5

Imported from Michigan for $10,000 each, the swan pedal boats have glided gracefully over the water at Lake Parramatta for eight years. The local council believes they have become a safety risk.

The City of Parramatta Council has terminated the licence of a pedal boat company operating at Lake Parramatta after “ongoing safety concerns” were identified, including the inconsistent use of safety vests.

Families enjoying the swan pedal boats on Lake Parramatta, which have been popular for a number of years.

Parramatta Rowboats provides a range of for-hire boats for visitors to Lake Parramatta, including rowboats, kayaks and canoes. The man behind the company, Greg Gordon, also runs a similar boat-hire business in Lane Cove National Park, which has operated there for more than 30 years.

The decision to terminate the Parramatta Rowboats licence was made in the confidential session of the council’s December meeting, with only independent councillor Kellie Darley and Dr Judy Greenwood of the Greens voting against it.

“The safety of the community is our number-one priority, which is why council has made the decision to transition out of the contract with the existing Lake Parramatta watercraft operator,” a City of Parramatta spokesperson said.

“Council has actively worked with the operator over an extended period to improve safety standards; however, there have been increasing concerns including the inconsistent use of safety vests, adequate training of staff and lifeguards needing to assist people on hired watercraft away from the swimming area.”

Parramatta Council has terminated the Parramatta Rowboat licence over safety concerns.

But Gordon disputes the safety concerns, saying his company was audited by Safe Work Australia and found to comply with all standards.

“Safety is our number-one priority and this is reflected in our safety record,” he said.

“Some of the allegations of inconsistent life-jacket use are reported by lifeguards, who are mistaking private owners for our customers, and we do not have control over private people.”

Those visiting Lake Parramatta are allowed to use their own kayaks, canoes and other non-motorised watercraft.

There have been no reports of serious injuries to users of the boats but concerns for the safety of people visiting Lake Parramatta have grown ever since 2024, when two young men drowned a week apart while swimming at the lake.

Parramatta Rowboats will operate up to the end of January, with Parramatta council to commence an expression-of-interest process early in 2026 to find a replacement watercraft-hire operator.

“We know that the hired watercraft are a much-loved attraction at Lake Parramatta and we will be working as quickly as possible to get a new operator on board,” the spokesperson said.

The lake, which spans 10.5 hectares, reopened for the 2025-26 swim season in October. In 2024 the lake received a $1.4 million upgrade, which included the creation of a sandy beach within the swimming area and the installation of a formal lifeguard viewing platform.

The Sydney Morning Herald has a bureau in the heart of Parramatta. Email [email protected] with news tips.