The Swan River Trust was created by the Swan and Canning Rivers Management Act 2006. The Act is available on the Parliamentary Counsel's Office website. 

The Trust's responsibilities include:

• developing policies
• preparing strategic documents related to the management of the Swan Canning Riverpark 
• overseeing the development and implementation of the Swan Canning River Protection Strategy
• providing advice and information on development around the rivers

The Trust produces annual reports that describe the key achievements in the Swan Canning Riverpark.

The Trust has eight members, who usually meet every month to discuss Riverpark matters.