New podcast charts path to a swimmable Yarra River by 2030

A new podcast outlining the 10 steps Melbourne must take towards making the Yarra River swimmable again has been released. 

Launched on July 12, the Two Bays podcast 10 Steps Towards a Swimmable Birrarung (Yarra River), demystifies misconceptions (such as, why is the Yarra brown?) and sparks new conversations about climate resilience, mental health, and urban design.

Across 10 episodes, local business, government, academic and community leaders at the forefront of climate action discuss how Melbourne can reposition the future of the Yarra-Birrarung.

The initiative has been produced by Regeneration Projects, which is also behind the long-mooted plans to establish a swimming pool in the city section of the river, along with the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University. 

Regeneration Projects founder, podcast host, and co-producer, Matt Sykes, told CBD News that the podcast was important for the creation of new collaborative efforts from stakeholders and activists to achieve a swimmable Yarra by 2030. 

“The podcast is about getting the stories of pioneers out there so that more people can become part of the movement,” Mr Sykes said.

“We want to start breaking down the preconception that it’s a crazy idea and show that it’s already happening.”

The podcast explains how a Yarra swimming trail from Deep Rock (Abbotsford) to Port Phillip Bay is possible. It clears up misunderstandings about the Yarra River’s condition and starts new discussions on a range of topics. 

Environmental concerns such as climate change are recurring topics within the podcast, and Mr Sykes said that the Yarra could play a crucial role in mitigating potential summer heat waves.

“It’s so important for people to be able to find spaces to cool off in, and the coldest space in Melbourne is literally the Yarra River,” Mr Sykes said.

City of Yarra Cr Sophie Wade participated as a special guest during the final podcast episode, where she discussed her support for the initiative as a representative of the first Australian local government to sign the “Swimmable Cities Charter”.

Thirty cities and 16 countries, including Australia, have signed the Charter, establishing international principles for developing sustainable, swimmable cities globally.

“I think it is achievable if all of the local councils, Melbourne Water, the traditional owners, and the state government come together,” Cr Wade said. “It’s something that the communities should demand of their leaders, because what a brilliant city to live in if we had a clean, swimmable Birrarung.”

A main source of inspiration behind the campaign is the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where swimmers are expected to compete in the River Seine.

Mr Sykes believes the event could set a precedent and lead similar ideas being applied to other urban rivers around the globe, including the Yarra River.

“The Paris Olympics and the cleaning up of the River Seine is inspiring decision-makers, leaders and activists around the world. People are thinking about what they can do in their own backyard,” Mr Sykes said.