The 19 May Council meeting highlighted ongoing tensions between the council and the Yalukit Willam Nature Association (YWNA) while acknowledging the ‘amazing’ contribution of volunteers and the bold ideals of the masterplan vision.
Dr. Jo Samuel-King, representing the YWNA, urged the council to recommit to the reserve’s status as a nature reserve, the master plan and the habitat and flora strategy. She emphasised the YWNA’s significant expertise and engagement of young people, citing over $100,000 available for projects like bringing the reserve up to growling grass frog design standards.
Samuel-King also requested security for their lease and plant lab area and a future management structure that ensures equity, transparency, and a clear goal of developing and implementing a management plan, avoiding “legally binding” and “third parties” in favour of collaboration.
Gio Fitzpatrick, also speaking on behalf of the YWNA, described the reserve as an “extremely special place” and a “strong community,” noting that the community has contributed “tens of thousands of hours” and planted over 300,000 plants. He stressed the need for a more balanced management structure to ensure collaborative decision-making and realise the project’s full potential.
Councillors praise ‘amazing’ work
Speaking to establish the new collaborative approach, Councillor McIntosh acknowledged the administrative nature of the agenda item, saying it was intended to “reset what has become a turbulent and fractious relationship” between the council and the association. She supported developing a Terms of Reference for a committee including Melbourne Water and independent voices to clarify roles and responsibilities. McIntosh praised the volunteers’ “amazing” work, contributing thousands of hours to weeding, planting, and wildlife care.
“This is a pathway for the reserve project partners to work together constructively and respectfully so mutual trust can be reestablished. I imagine Gwyneth Paltrow might describe it as a conscious recoupling,’ she said.
Councillor Hockley, a frequent visitor to the reserve, commended the volunteers’ dedication, noting the transformation of the former golf course into an “astonishing asset.” However, he stressed that it is public land and that governance should be built on respect and trust. Hockley also expressed concern about continued “attacks on council in social media,” stating it is “demoralising for staff” and that such “beat up” has to stop for constructive progress.
The council ultimately voted to move forward with developing a Terms of Reference for a committee, with the aim of presenting a report at or before the August 2026 council meeting. The decision reflects a desire to re-establish a positive working relationship and ensure the continued success of the Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve.
No plan to use Plant Lab as car park, says Bayside CEO
During council question time, questions were asked about the future of the PlantLab adjacent to Yalukit Willam Reserve. The CEO responded that Council has no plans to make any changes to the area occupied by the PlantLab.
Another more specific question asked if there were any plans to use the land currently occupied by Plant Lab for use as parking.
The CEO said the community should be mindful of information provided as hearsay or by third parties as it can often be misinformed. The minutes recorded his response:
“The Plant Lab is located on Council land and is under its management. There are no formal or informal lease arrangements in place in relation to this land.
There are no plans to make any changes to the area occupied by the PlantLab at this time.
It is understood an idea was raised regarding access and parking during discussions with other users of the reserve with respect to the Elsternwick Park Sports Precinct Masterplan.
The idea has not been given any further consideration.”
Statement from Bayside in full
New Terms of Reference for Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve committee
Wednesday 20 May 2026
Bayside City Council is committed to working with the community and key stakeholders to deliver the Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve masterplan.
In March 2020, Council supported the transformation of the former Elsternwick Park Golf Course into a natural oasis, bringing nature back into our urban area, and providing refuge and tranquillity for both wildlife and visitors. The new wetlands and water bodies at the reserve will also improve the quality of water flowing into Port Phillip Bay.
As the land manager, Council has a statutory responsibility to protect public land for current and future generations. This includes ensuring safety, environmental stewardship, asset integrity, equitable access, and compliance with legislative and policy requirements.
Council has worked with the Yalukit Willam Nature Association volunteer group (YWNA) from the early stages of developing the masterplan, through to supporting Council’s delivery of key landscape works and facilitating community education and research projects.
Council acknowledges the valuable work of YWNA, and at its May meeting resolved to work with the YWNA leadership committee and Melbourne Water to draft a Terms of Reference (ToR) for a committee responsible for setting the monthly work program for the reserve and the types of interventions permitted at the site.
A ToR establishes the purpose, scope, authority, and membership of Council committees. It helps to ensure compliance with governance standards, particularly regarding decision-making, conflicts of interest, suitability of roles and responsibilities, and community representation. Ensuring that Council’s role as land manager is clearly understood alongside the role of other stakeholder groups is essential, particularly considering the legal authority and accountability of the reserve sits with Council.
The significant wetland and Gateway Building projects at Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve are led by Bayside City Council with funding support from the Australian Government.
To learn more about this special transformative project, visit the project page and subscribe for project updates.
