Small Watercraft Strategy

Have your say on water access and small watercraft storage in foreshore parks and reserves.

Willoughby City Council has many foreshore parks and reserves along Middle Harbour and Lane Cove River which provide water access for recreational purposes. Council is seeking community input to develop a Small Watercraft Strategy.

The Strategy seeks to encourage recreation in small watercraft while balancing the needs of the environment and other park and reserve users. Small watercraft include vessels such as dinghies, kayaks, canoes, paddle/sail boards or similar.

Council would like to hear how you currently use the foreshore parks and reserves as well as any ideas or suggestions how water access and small watercraft storage in these foreshore parks and reserves could be improved or better managed into the future.

If you own an existing small watercraft being stored in a foreshore park or reserve, you must register your watercraft with Council. Registration is contained within the online survey below.

The Small Watercraft Strategy is being prepared in response to Council resolution on 27 November 2023. The Strategy will help Council to manage foreshore parks and other open spaces in an effective and equitable manner for community benefit, recreation and enjoyment.

Foreshore Parks, Reserves and Water Access 

How to Get Involved

You can have your say and provide your ideas and suggestions in a number of ways:

• Online Survey: Complete the online survey below.
  
  
• Email: email@willoughby.nsw.gov.au
  
  
• Post: Willoughby City Council, PO Box 57, Chatswood 2067.

Submissions close midnight Sunday 16 February 2025.

Community Drop In Sessions

Speak with a member of the project team, ask any questions and provide feedback at one of the community drop in sessions.

• Saturday 1 February 2025, 9.30am - 11.30am
  Fig Tree Park/Hallstrom Point, end of Hallstrom Cl, Northbridge
  
  
• Saturday 1 February 2025, 1.00pm - 3.00pm
  Stoker Playground, 225 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag
  
  
• Wednesday 5 February 2025, 4.30pm - 6.30pm
  Chatswood Rotary Athletic Field, Mowbray Rd West, Lane Cove North.

Ongoing Registration for Small Watercraft 

If you did not provide Council with your watercraft details and contact information, during Stage 1 community consultation (Dec 2024 - Feb 2025), please complete the online Watercraft form. 

This should take approximately 3 – 5 minutes to complete, or slightly longer if you have multiple watercraft.

•  Click here to complete the online Watercraft form.

This will assist Council for operational management of foreshore sites and enable Council to provide future updates on the Small Watercraft Strategy which is currently being prepared. 

Please note:

• If you previously provided your vessel information during Stage 1 community consultation (Dec 2024 - Feb 2025), you are not required to provide your details again.
• Owners who leave their small watercraft in a public space do so at their own risk. Council will not be liable for any loss and/or damages associated with watercraft storage and/or watercraft use. 
• Any watercraft being stored in a public space may be subject to the conditions of the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021.