Bayside City Council has officially opened the new wetlands at Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve, marking a major milestone in the transformation of the former Elsternwick Park Golf Course into one of Melbourne’s most significant urban nature reserves.
Australian Government representative and Member for Macnamara Josh Burns joined Bayside Mayor Cr Debbie Taylor-Haynes to officially mark the opening at the Brighton site on Tuesday 22 September.
Bayside Mayor Cr Debbie Taylor-Haynes said the opening was an important moment for the community and for the long-term restoration of the site.
“This is a significant milestone in the transformation of Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve and a wonderful outcome for the Bayside and wider community,” Cr Taylor-Haynes said.
“The wetlands provide important habitat for wildlife, improve the quality of water flowing into Elster Creek and Port Phillip Bay, and create a beautiful new place for people to walk, explore and connect with nature.”
Mr Burns said that he was incredibly proud to be part of a project that meant so much to the community.
“The Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve isn’t just a natural oasis – it’s a window into what this beautiful part of Melbourne would have looked like hundreds of years ago,” he said.
“It’s a place for students to learn and for residents to connect with nature right here in the middle of our community.”
The wetlands form a centrepiece of the Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve Masterplan, supporting Council’s vision to restore the former golf course into a biodiverse, accessible and resilient urban nature reserve.
The wetlands cover more than 40 per cent of the site and include 2.5 kilometres of accessible pathways, 1,900 new trees and 200,000 new plants.
The wetlands’ additional stormwater storage increases the capacity of the flood retarding basin, helping to slow the release of excess water, and helping to reduce flood risk.
The project was supported by $5.5 million from the Australian Government and a further $1.1 million from Melbourne Water and delivered with the support of Viva Energy Australia during design and construction.
The wetlands build on earlier stages of work at the reserve, including the Chain of Ponds, Grassy Woodland and Wildflower Meadow, as Council continues the staged restoration of the site.
The Gateway Building is the final stage of the reserve’s transformation and is expected to be completed in winter 2027.
