Birrarung / Yarra River Revival Fieldtrip - September 2025
Our morning exploring the revival of the Birrarung began with landscape architect and urban designer, Skye Haldane (Strategic Design Principal) from the City of Melbourne outlining the vision for a better connected and healthier river.
She shared the extensive planning behind the creation of the five floating wetlands that reintroduce planting to the city river to provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. On our visit to three of the wetlands, we were delighted to see birds making great use of them. We observed black swan pairs nesting as well as coots and swallows blissfully unconcerned by our presence, happily sharing the space.
The floating wetlands are thriving, and experimentation is ongoing to determine the most suitable plants species to use. It is hoped the small trees will grow taller with the available space they have. It is hoped that the success of these wetlands will encourage decision makers to embrace future opportunities to improve the health of the river system and enrich the experience of our city landscapes.
Dr Jacinta Humphrey, Urban Ecologist from The University of Melbourne, described how the wetlands were constructed and gave an overview of the monitoring of the plants and animals. The design - featuring ramps, perches, pools, and cameras - ensures birds have easy access and are well accommodated. Still, behaviours such as swan gathering of large amounts of vegetation for nesting present minor challenges.
Jacinta acknowledged that while her work monitors animals on top of the wetlands, monitoring the activity under the wetlands would be an interesting and valuable future study.
We encourage you to head to the floating wetland sites and share your wildlife observations via iNaturalist. This will contribute to the project’s monitoring data, help build our knowledge of the river’s ecology, and demonstrate to decision-makers the importance of these wetlands.
Fernanda Farias from Regeneration Projects was equally passionate about transforming the Birrarung into a much cleaner river. She described how cities around the world are aiming to have rivers and waterways that are swimmable and emphasised the importance of Melbourne joining that vision.
By working with groups such as Yarra Riverkeeper, and by encouraging the Yarra City Council to sign up to the Swimmable Cities Charter in 2024, Regeneration Projects is helping ensure the health of the river is taken seriously.
Fernanda cited Deep Rock near Dights Falls as the only place along the lower section of the Yarra where swimming currently occurs, enjoyed on a regular basis by a community group known as the Yarra Yabbies.
Further information.
At our final stop, Billy Patten from Riverlee, introduced the recently opened Seafarers precinct which includes the Rest Park and the 1Hotel and Residential complex. A highlight of the development is the beautifully restored, heritage-protected Goods Shed 5, which features extensive use of recycled and reclaimed timber and integrates into the complex one of the last cranes used for industry along this stretch of river.
The hotel’s 7,000 plants blend with the adjacent Rest Park’s native planting, water-sensitive urban design and habitat-supportive landscaping. The 3,500 sqm children’s park incorporates timber seating inspired by shipping crates, rope swings, historical signage, and local maritime artefacts. This is Melbourne’s newest riverfront public park, the first in more than 20 years and it highlights the city’s commitment to heritage, sustainability, and community engagement with a self-guided tour of the Precinct available for visitors.
Following the presentations and our walk tour along the Birrarung, one could only be deeply thankful for the wonderful work being done to transform the Yarra into a healthier river that residents, visitors and native wildlife can better connect with.
Bruna Evan - Geography Victoria member