Financing differently for a thriving river

How can we finance healthier rivers and catchments in new and innovative ways? Join Regen Melbourne and Yarra RiverKeeper Association for a showcase and panel discussion with three leaders at the intersection of healthy waterways and financial innovation:

• Lyndall Pickering - Program Manager at Sydney Water, leading waterway restoration and wastewater offset initiatives with expertise in community engagement and catchment partnerships.

• Katrina Donaghy - ASEAN Regional CEO of Water Ledger, developing the SWaN (Streams, Wetlands and Nutrients) Exchange in the State of Virginia, USA being the digital market infrastructure that links verified ecological outcomes to finance.

• David Young - Principal Advisor at Arup and Partner at Wheatley Young Partners, David is a specialist in environmental markets and financing with extensive experience designing catchment strategies and aligning investment with ecological outcomes in Australia and internationally.

Together, they’ll explore a range of local and global case studies and approaches to financing waterways from catchment restoration and blockchain-enabled water quality credits to markets mechanisms that mobilise private investment. Attendees can expect practical insights, real-world examples, and a lively discussion on reimagining how capital could flow towards regenerating the Birrarung and building resilient waterways.

This event is being presented by Regen Melbourne.

Accessibility: This event is wheelchair friendly. Riverfest welcomes everyone—we’re committed to making our events accessible and inclusive for people of all abilities. If you have accessibility needs and require support to attend, please email carolyn.tate@yarrariver.org.au

About Riverfest

This event is part of the 2025 Birrarung Riverfest. Celebrate our river at one of 60+ events hosted over three weeks from 6–28 September. Whether you enjoy riverside walks, cleanups, creative workshops or paddling adventures, there's something for everyone at Riverfest. Riverfest is presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and our partners Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo collaboration and Melbourne Water.
Check out the full Riverfest program here.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Yarra Riverkeeper Association acknowledges that the lands and waterways of the Yarra, Birrarung catchment, are the unceded territories of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong peoples. We pay respect to Traditional Owners, who have, and continue, to care for Country. We acknowledge that the river now called Yarra has always been known as the Birrarung by its custodians.

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