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LISTEN TO TWO BAYS PODCAST: 10 Steps towards a swimmable Birrarung’ series
Towards a swimmable Lower Yarra River (Birrarung), it’s the journey that counts!
Walk Talk Swim is an innovative Environmental Education program designed to empower the next generation of urban waterway swimmers and stewards. Its proudly run by Regeneration Projects (B Corp), one of the key hubs and actors in the local swimmable Birrarung movement.
By providing educational experiences that combine digital technology and being outdoors – like ‘walk and talk’ events, workshops and leadership programs – people are learning to better live, work and play with the River. Join us on the journey!
UPCOMING EVENTS
World Water Day 2025
Picture short, guided experiences through Melbourne’s backyard, connecting with community and storytelling. Alongside our tailored programs for different organisations, Regeneration Projects will be running seasonal 'Walk Talk Swim Birrarung' events.
We're proud to be teaming up with the City of Yarra for a special series leading up to World Water Day, March 22 2025! This aligns with their Climate Emergency Plan and commitment as a Signatory of the Swimmable Cities Charter.
Urban Waterway Wellbeing
In a (gum)nut shell, the health of the Birrarung mirrors our own actions
Urbanisation, industrialisation and colonisation has disconnected Melbournians and the lower Yarra River (Birrarung). Currently, between Dights Falls and Port Phillip Bay (Nairm) it is illegal and too polluted to swim.
But moments like triathletes swimming in the River Seine during the Paris Olympics have helped people see what’s possible. If they can do it, why can’t we? We can!
VISION: BIRRARUNG SWIMMING TRAIL
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Birrarung Swimming Trail published as part of the 2023 Swimmable Cities Handbook by Regeneration Projects, envisaging a corridor of urban swimming places along the lower Yarra River.
START
Education Programs
Making friends with nature… Are you looking to connect with the Birrarung?
To us, the Birrarung (Yarra River) is a friend, stakeholder and business partner. That’s why we love creating positive introductory experiences that allow others to grow their own relationships. We work across generations, with people from diverse backgrounds and sectors to create to strongest possible connections to safeguard our shared future.
Introductory Events & Presentations
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Imagine meeting a long lost friend and catching up over a short guided ‘walk and talk’ along the Birrarung / Yarra.
Workshops
Let’s dive deeper into the world of Swimmable Cities and transforming urban waterways, and what it can mean for you.
Challenges
Let’s work together to map, plan and design future swimming places along the Birrarung, lower Yarra River.
Audiences
We provide services to a diversity of organisations and groups across the community.
DIY
Grow and strengthen your relationship with the Birrarung!
1. GET OUTSIDE: Enjoy the health benefits of connecting with the Birrarung
2. LISTEN: 10 Steps towards a swimmable Birrarung’ series on the Two Bays Podcast
3. FOLLOW: The international movement of Swimmable Cities
4. GROW: Ecological Literacy (Eco Q) using the Two Bays App
5. PRACTICE: Citizen Science using iNaturalist
COMMUNITY
1. SWIM: Swim safely & respectfully in existing swimming places
2. JOIN: An outdoor swimming community (eg: Yarra Pools or Yarra Yabbies)
3. LEARN: How to swim at your local leisure centre (eg: City of Yarra website)
4. MONITOR: Water quality using the EPA’s Yarra Watch forecast
5. REPORT: Litter and pollution using Snap Send Solve
BUSINESSES & ORGANISATIONS
1. VOLUNTEER: Corporate volunteering with Yarra Riverkeeper Association
2. INVEST: Become an organisational member with Yarra Riverkeeper Association
3. SIGN: Become a Signatory to the Swimmable Cities Charter
4. RECOGNISE: The Rights of Nature and the Birrarung as a living entity
(see the Victorian Government’s Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017)
5. ENGAGE: First Peoples in Natural Resource Management (eg: Narrap Rangers)
1. ADVOCATE: Write to local Councillors and MPs about making the lower Yarra River (Birrarung) swimmable (using the Swimmable Cities Toolkit), as part of achieving the 50-year Community Vision in Victoria’s ‘Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo, Yarra Strategic Plan 2022-2032’
LOCAL ACTORS
Working towards a swimmable Birrarung is a collective effort....
That’s why Regeneration Projects is proud to work with and alongside other local Signatories to the Swimmable Cities Charter and grassroots organisations.
LISTEN
Two Bays podcast...
SERIES 2… 10 Steps towards a swimmable Birrarung / Yarra River
Produced by Regeneration Projects in partnership with the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and RMIT University, this 10-episode podcast series is designed to demystify misconceptions (like: why is the Yarra brown?) and spark new conversations about how to live, work and play with Melbourne’s most iconic urban waterway.
LISTEN TO TWO BAYS PODCAST
listen two bays podcast
“For people to be able to swim in the River, it would demonstrate that the River is healthy, that it’s thriving, that it’s well. You can’t have a healthy river downstream unless it’s healthy upstream and in the catchments.”
— Janet Bolitho, President, Yarra Riverkeeper Association (Series partner)
"It's been incredible to see how a simple idea of a swimming trail can spark profound conversations about climate resilience, urban design, and community well-being.”
— Mark Wai Cheng, Co-Producer & Intern, RMIT Media program
READY TO DIVE INTO YARRA?
OUR VISION
A safe, healthy and swimmable Birrarung (lower Yarra River) by 2035.
OUR MISSION
Empowering the next generation of urban waterway swimmers & stewards.
OUR PRINCIPLES
Stewardship, Interdependence, Collaboration & Adaptation (WEF, 2024)
OUR STRATEGY
Path 1:
Empower
Growing awareness and education across society.
Path 2:
Advocate
Engaging political leaders and reforming policy.
Path 3:
Activate
From pop-ups to swimming trail masterplans, let’s swim!
ABOUT
Towards a swimmable lower Yarra River
From pools and beaches to outback waterholes, swimming is an iconic part of Australian culture. We believe that everyone has the Right to Swim, even in our urban waterways. As part of our leadership in the international Swimmable Cities movement, Regeneration Projects is excited to offer an innovative new program – Walk Talk Swim.
WHO
Matt Sykes
Program Manager
Matt Sykes is the Co-Founder and Convenor of Swimmable Cities, an international alliance dedicated to transforming urban waterways. He grew up with a view of Mt Baw Baw (where the Yarra begins) and is proud to continue an intergenerational connection with the Birrarung.
Loretta Bellato
Senior Facilitator
Dr Loretta Bellato is a Regenerative development, tourism and community researcher and practitioner. She brings a wealth of experience working with communities. Her PhD research through Swinburne University’s Centre for Urban Transitions is internationally recognised and can be viewed – HERE.
IMPACT
Walking the Talk...
We’ve been contributing to the movement since 2019!
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Matt and team member Dr Loretta Bellato after Regeneration Projects was recognised for our work towards a #SwimmableBirrarung in the City of Yarra’s 2024 Community Awards. (More info - HERE)
Matt presenting Swimmable Cities at the 2024 Global Nature Positive Summit
Timeline
Highlights from the journey so far!
• Walk Talk Swim Birrarung program launched by Regeneration Projects (RP)
• RP to co-organise inaugural Swimmable Cities Summit in Europe
• RP publishes Two Bays Podcast series 2 ’10 Steps towards a swimmable Birrarung’
• RP initiates and convenes Swimmable Cities alliance
• RP runs several events in Birrarung Riverfest by Yarra Riverkeeper Association
• RP publishes Swimmable Cities Handbook, including Birrarung /
Yarra River Swimming Trail concept• RP and La Loyka convene Working with Water event series
• RP organises Dights Fall – West Gate bike ride with other movement actors
• RP participates in MPavilion event organised by Yarra Pools
• RP supports development of Yarra Riverkeeper Assoc. business partnerships
• RP helps activate Regen Melbourne as a Swimmable Birrarung actor
• Regeneration Projects coordinates establishment of Bathing Australia
• Regeneration Projects initiates industry research collab with
Dr Loretta Bellato at Swinburne University focused swimmable Birrarung by 2030• RP coordinates social media for World Bathing Day
• Matt publishes Great Victorian Bathing Trail strategy with support of Peninsula
Hot Springs and Victorian Tourism Industry Council
MEDIA
Conversation Highlights
2025
January 5
3RRR: Radio interview with Kulja Coulston, ‘Local Character: Making The Birrarung Safe For Swimming’
2024
November 12
ABC: Drive with Ali Moore
2024
July 24
CBD News: Online article by Nicolas Thurn-Valsassina, ‘New podcast charts path to a swimmable Yarra River by 2030’
2024
July 17
The Guardian, Online article by Sharlotte Thou, ‘With Paris Olympians set to dive into the Seine, could urban swimming come to Melbourne’s Yarra?’
2024
April
ABC Radio, Victoria Evenings with David Astle