City of Melbourne backs “Swimmable Birrarung” vision with new plan

Melburnians could one day take a summer dip in the Yarra River through Southbank, with the City of Melbourne outlining its most detailed roadmap yet to make the Birrarung swimmable by 2050.

A report tabled at the December 2 Future Melbourne Committee (FMC) meeting set out how the council plans to restore the river’s health, activate the waterfront, and lay foundations for future swimming sites.

The move follows Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s public comments earlier this year expressing confidence that city bathing will return within a generation – an idea that has quickly gained public support.

Swimming in the lower Birrarung has long been off-limits due to pollution and heavy boat traffic. But cities like Paris, Copenhagen and Berlin have shown it is possible to clean up historic waterways and safely open them for public use.

The head of the council’s environment portfolio Cr Davydd Griffiths said, “it’s inspiring to see something the whole city can come together around as we think about our future and our legacy.”

Paris invested €1.4 billion in sewer upgrades ahead of this year’s Olympics, while Copenhagen’s harbour baths are now central to the city’s identity.

Council management believes Melbourne can achieve similar outcomes if state agencies, water authorities and neighbouring councils collaborate.

The report notes that the City of Melbourne manages only a small section of the river and its catchment. However, it has legal obligations under the Yarra River Protection Act and the Environment Protection Act to improve waterway health.

To progress the idea, the council will establish a coalition of agencies to pursue a long-term plan for a swimmable river. It will also sign the international Swimmable Cities Charter and ask other councils to do the same. A shared technical analysis will be undertaken to understand the level of investment required.

Early work will focus on activating the riverfront. Management will identify three opportunities for new public spaces or water-related recreation, and run engagement activities at the 2026 Moomba Festival to build momentum.

Improving stormwater is another key focus. The council will set new water quality targets, update its Stormwater Management Plan, and increase compliance at construction sites.

Pollution hotspots will be mapped, and large-scale stormwater harvesting projects explored.

Future swimming locations will be assessed against criteria set out in the report, including cultural approval by Traditional Owners, good water quality, safety, and public accessibility. No sites have yet been nominated, but investigations will begin next year.

Council officers say the benefits of a swimmable Birrarung go beyond recreation. Cleaner water would support biodiversity, cool the city, attract tourism and investment, and help reconnect Melburnians with a river they have been unable to enjoy for decades.

At the December 2 meeting, the founder of Swimmable Cities, Matt Sykes, noted that it was exciting to see the report representing a significant shift from advocacy to delivery.

“Congratulations to the Lord Mayor and councillors for the significant progress toward a swimmable Birrarung.” •