We want to make the Birrarung swimmable. We’re taking steps to restore the health of the river – improving the water quality so that swimming in the city section of the Birrarung could one day be possible.

As we work towards this long-term ambition, you can:

  • Make a wish for the Birrarung.
  • Share your ideas for activities you’d like to see in or along the river in the future.
  • Select ‘Follow’ at the top of this page to be kept up to date on progress, events and opportunities to have your say.

Your feedback will help us understand how our community wants to experience the Birrarung in the future.

Complete the survey by Monday 6 April 2026 and enter the draw to win a swimmable Birrarung beach towel (Terms and Conditions apply).

Share your wish for the Birrarung

Share your ideas for the Birrarung by filling out our survey.

My wish for the river

At Moomba Festival we asked you to tell us what your wish is for the Birrarung. Here's a snapshot of what you said...
My wish for the river is for it to be loved by all, so species can enjoy it and be one with the river.
That it's clean and safe to swim in the whole river.
My wish for the Yarra is to continue to improve in health, support diversity, and improve cultural flows!
My wish for the river is I wish that people would understand the impact of their choices and decisions.
My wish for the river is that no person in the rest of humanity will ever litter or pollute ever again.
My wish for the river is more colourful flowers by the river.
My wish for the river is more animals and more water.
My wish for the river is for it to be nice and calm.
My wish for the river is that no one pollutes - it's gross and and can hurt animals.
My wish for the river is to kill pollution.
My wish for the river is for no rubbish to be in the river and it to have water in it.
Child's drawing of a person swimming with fish.
My wish for the river is for it to be clean and have wildlife.
My wish for the river is animals will thrive again. Make it clean again.
My wish for the river is I wish for all Yarra river stays safe and less pollution is made in Melbourne.
My wish for the river is clean enough to jump in.
My wish for the river is swimming.
My wish for the river is to be made cleaner [and] more fish.
My wish for the river is less plastics, rainbow sea creatures, no sharks, clean water.
My wish for the river is clean river, nil obvious pollution, safe for water sports.
My wish for the river is [that it is] clean and unpolluted so we can have starfish and seadragons.
My wish for the river is that it's clean and safe to swim in the whole river.
My wish for the river is that it is as healthy and full of as many animals as it was 200 years ago.
My wish for the river is for people to respect it more so that it can be less polluted.
My wish for the river is to be able to swim in it.
My wish for the river is I wish for clean waterways and no rubbish affecting us humans and the river life.
My wish for the river is I wish that people would understand the impact of their choices and decisions.
My wish for the river is for clean water for everyone even the one with no water.
My wish for the river is to have clean water for the fish and bugs.
My wish for the river is for the river to be clean and healthy and for the wildlife living in it to also be healthy.
My wish for the river is that the water is not contaminated.
Child's drawing of a rainbow over the river.
My wish for the river is [to have] clean and safe water for swimming [and] can have fun activities in water safely.
Child's drawing of a whale and fish.
My wish for the river is to be clean and safe for animals and safe for humans to swim.
My wish for the river is I hope that pollution disappears.

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    ​Sign the Swimmable Cities Charter

    Signing the charter highlights our commitment to restoring the river and working towards the long-term ambition for a swimmable Birrarung.

    December 2025

  • Timeline item 2 - active

    Promote the ambition for a swimmable Birrarung

    Share your wish for the Birrarung and ideas for the future.

    7 March 2026 - 6 April 2026

  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    ​Establish a coalition for a swimmable Birrarung

    We’ll bring together the agencies who share responsibility for the river’s health and activation.

    By mid-2026

  • Timeline item 4 - incomplete

    Develop water quality targets and a new Stormwater Management Plan

    These steps will contribute to improving water quality and waterway health.

    Work underway in 2026

  • Timeline item 5 - incomplete

    Identify sites for waterfront activation

    We want to work with private and public partners to increase the ways you can connect with and experience the river.

    Investigations into suitable sites to begin in 2026