Swan River Trust axing wrong: Mark McGowan The Opposition Leader says axing The Swan River Trust is wrong. THE Barnett Government has axed the Swan River Trust. Minister for Environment, Albert Jacobs has told State Parliament the staff and functions of the Swan River Trust would be merged with the newly formed Department of Parks and Wildlife. "These new arrangements will not only improve resources for the management and protection of the Swan Canning Riverpark, they will also increase efficiency and accountability," Mr Jacobs said. The Swan River Trust currently manages about 72 square kilometres of public land and adjoining river reserve along the Swan, Canning, Helena and Southern rivers. Mr Jacobs said the merger of the Swan River Trust staff and the functions of the Department of Parks and Wildlife would "further streamline existing arrangements and greatly enhance capacity for the conservation of our rivers. It will also reduce duplication. But Labor leader Mark McGowan said the axing of the trust would put at risk the health of the Swan River.