Sydney Harbour is highly valued by Sydneysiders and visitors. It can be described as one of Australia’s greatest assets and the heart of Sydney. In the past few decades the Harbour foreshores have seen many changes including a shift from industrial to residential use. The profile of the Harbour as a place for residence, tourist destination and recreation continues to grow and with it the community desire to maximise public access to its foreshores and waterways.

Sydney Harbour is a commercial working port, a transport route and very much part of the ‘connected city’. It is a desirable place to live, a place of natural beauty and a community playground. The governance of Sydney Harbour is complex, with often overlapping jurisdictions and multiple stakeholders. The Harbour comprises 230 km of foreshores and is bordered by 20 local government areas. At least ten State government agencies and two Commonwealth government agencies also own or manage various foreshore lands.

In recognition of the value of our incredible harbour, in February 2003, the Premier announced the availability of $10 million of State Government funds for capital works grants. Through the Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program (The Access Program), the State Government is providing $2 million of grants per annum for the next five years, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to local councils and incorporated clubs / associations for new and enhanced public access projects. Through this partnership approach of matching funds, this will achieve at least $20 million of access improvements on the ground.

The Access Program aims to increase access to and along the foreshores of Sydney Harbour and its tributaries for people on foot and bicycle and improve access to and from the waterways for recreational boating. There is also an emphasis on encouraging non-motorised forms of transport.