To celebrate Riverfest 2026, Greater Sydney Landcare brought two simple pleasures together, kayaking and coffee for a hands-on waterway clean up along Duck River.

On Saturday 26 September, 12 volunteers bravely took to the water. As they learned the basics of paddling, they also worked together to collect rubbish from the river.

Duck River is a highly urbanised waterway and an important tributary of the Parramatta River.

The Darug people of the Burramattaga clan are the Traditional Custodians of the land, and Duck River formed a boundary between the Wategora and Barramattaga clans.

Mangroves and saltmarshes line parts of the river, surrounded by industrial warehouses in an area with a history of pollution incidents. The mangroves help protect shorelines, store significant amounts of carbon, naturally filter excess nutrients and pollutants, and support diverse marine life.

The morning began with matcha drinks prepared by an enthusiastic volunteer before the group headed to the water. With the tide low and mangrove roots exposed, volunteers used litter pickers and nets to reach rubbish caught among the roots.

Most of what they removed was everyday waste, including packaging, plastic containers, clothing and small plastic items. Maritime Services then collected the rubbish for disposal.

Sunny weather made for a beautiful morning on the river and the overhanging mangroves provided welcome shade.

After the kayaking session, everyone returned to shore to enjoy sandwiches and wraps for lunch.

Greater Sydney Landcare’s first community kayak clean-up was a rewarding and enjoyable success bringing people together to learn a new skill, care for a local waterway and make a visible difference.