Rising tensions between environmentalists and Bayside City Council threaten to derail a once-in-a-generation project to turn an old golf course in Melbourne’s inner south-east into a wetland.
The $22 million Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve development aims to transform the former Elsternwick Park golf course into a biodiverse oasis with up to seven hectares of aquatic habitat for native wildlife.
However, disagreements about how to achieve this continue
this agreed masterplan
have led some locals to chain themselves to logs and confront council workers, even as construction around the northern pond section progressed markedly in the past year.
The simmering feud flared again last month, when the Yalukit Willam Nature Association (YWNA) led a campaign against using a geosynthetic liner in the wetland section as councillors voted to award a key contract.
YWNA president Gio Fitzpatrick argued the impermeable liner was unnatural and would keep water levels artificially high, increasing flooding risks.
“We see it as expensive, risky and hampering outcomes,” he said.
But the council said the liner was “non-negotiable” under Melbourne Water’s wetland construction manual, as it held water when existing soils could not.
Bayside Mayor Hanna El Mouallem said expert modelling showed the liner would not increase flooding risks, and the council also needed to meet the requirements of Viva Energy, whose pipeline runs through the reserve.
“It is disappointing that some volunteers are sharing misinformation on the implementation of this unique and significant open-space project,” he said.
But last Tuesday, the mayor was the lone vote against awarding Entracon Civil a contract to start the wetland works. He said that “the tactics of some people” caused too much risk.
I'm simply not at ease with granting a contract worth more than $4 million at this point when there remains significant unrest within the community regarding the project.
Macnamara MP Josh Burns and outgoing Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel previously mediated disputes between YWNA and the council over how to construct the nature reserve, which
gained support in 2016
after an environmentalist push.
On February 27, Burns travelled to the site near the Glen Huntly Road and Nepean Highway intersection after furious bayside locals blocked an excavator from removing pond rocks.
Environmental activists were concerned that this action might lead to the demise of endangered species.
growling grass frogs
.
Council said
The stones were installed without authorization, potentially introducing pollutants to the protected area.
Fitzpatrick, an ecologist who took office as YWNA president last year, stated that the council's worries were exaggerated. He mentioned that they imported the rocks since there was consensus about their necessity for enhancing the frog habitat, noting that the council had not taken action on this matter previously.
Burns described the council's dawn operation to remove rocks as "clumsy." Eventually, all the stones were returned after undergoing some form of treatment.
"I believe some trust has been lost. However, we managed to resolve issues previously, and I remain optimistic that there are ways to move ahead," he stated.
It can get pretty intense. However, that’s partly due to how invested so many members of the community are in this reserve. They have a deep affection for it. It really is stunning down there.
In another dispute in January, Bayside Council intended to take away logs from the reserve. However, members of YWNA protested because they thought this action might damage the animals' living environment.
Many attached themselves to the timber using padlocks and chains. They shouted: "Don't log our protest."
Nevertheless, the council stated that the logs were found "in an inappropriate spot."
“A spokesperson stated, ‘Given the delicate ecosystem within the reserve, the Council doesn’t allow community members to bring in any materials without obtaining prior approval.’”
Fitzpatrick mentioned that authorities hadn’t added sufficient logging habitats, so the community has stepped up to address this shortfall.
Ultimately, Bayside Council approved the decision last Tuesday to enter into an agreement and move forward with the primary wetland area within the reserve.
Cr Andrew Hockley stated that he had a meeting with several YWNA representatives, along with Cr Kylie McIntosh, Cr Elli Murray, and project managers. He expressed hope that they grasped that installing the wetland liner was "the best course of action."
Helen Halliday, among the approximately 300 members of the YWNA, disagrees with the president's position on the liner.
"Frankly, I find it astonishing that we've stumbled upon this last segment of a multi-million dollar project," she stated.
During their previous gathering, multiple council members expressed concern that financing might run out if further postponements occurred.
Councillor Geoff Leigh cautioned that he would propose a motion to stop funding after the current $5.5 million federal grant has been exhausted, if environmental groups "try to hold us ransom in some way."
"I don't issue threats; I make promises," he stated.
The mayor took a more diplomatic approach, and the officers agreed to continue holding regular meetings with the YWNA.
I recognize the efforts of the volunteers," El Mouallem stated. "Nevertheless, the council bears the ultimate responsibility for managing the reserve.
Fitzpatrick mentioned that the council showed "an unfortunate reluctance" to hear out YWNA. He expressed that the ongoing disputes were "somewhat discouraging," since all parties aimed for the same objective.
It's incredibly frustrating. However, the outcomes on the ground still indicate an overall highly successful project," he stated. "The only issue is that it shouldn't be this difficult.
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