An Elwood community group has called for an independent review of the Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve restoration project, arguing current works could reduce the site’s ability to help mitigate flooding in nearby residential areas.
The Elwood Canal Action Team has written to Victorian Environment Minister Enver Erdogan seeking an urgent inquiry into Bayside Council’s management of the wetlands component of the project.
A central feature of the $21 million restoration of the former golf course is the creation of urban wetlands designed to filter stormwater flowing into the bay and reduce floodwaters moving toward low-lying parts of Elwood.
In its letter, seen by TWiSK, ECAT says the State should examine whether the once-in-a-generation environmental project is being managed in a way that will maximise its flood mitigation benefits for Elwood and parts of Bayside.
Group secretary Sally Gibson said community members had raised concerns about several aspects of the works since construction began in 2021, including what they believe is a reduced capacity to lessen local flooding.
“The whole management of the reserve, which is 13 hectares of Crown land, should be reviewed by the state to ensure the area’s potential is maximised,” Gibson said.
Among the concerns raised by the group is the claim that lining parts of the wetland with impermeable material will reduce water absorption, increase the risk of algal blooms and limit the reserve’s capacity to store floodwater.
“The ability of the reserve to fully offset flooding in Elwood is a serious key issue; the state is facing another Maribyrnong flooding disaster in Elwood and Bayside. Ensuring flood retardation is maximised is both cost and trauma saving,” she said.
ECAT said it was acting in support of broader community concerns about the condition of the catchment and the long-term effectiveness of the project.
Bayside Council has received funding to deliver an environmental masterplan that includes an additional 50,000 cubic metres of flood storage capacity aimed at reducing downstream flooding from the reserve.
However, local observers claim the design now under construction would keep the new wetlands artificially full for much of the time, leaving less room to capture heavy inflows during major rain events.
They also argue that converting previously permeable ground into lined wetland areas could reduce the amount of water absorbed into the soil and push more water downstream during floods.
Before the current works, the site’s earlier wetland area did not use a plastic liner, allowing water to soak gradually into the ground, according to opponents of the current design.
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Bayside Council’s tells a different story
Meanwhile Bayside reports a different tale.
“Water is being released into Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve’s remarkable urban wetland. The aquatic flow marks another big step in the reserve’s transformation from golf course to natural oasis.
Designed to strengthen flood mitigation and improve water quality before it’s reuse in the adjacent sports reserves, or continued flow into Port Phillip Bay, the wetlands will slow and clean stormwater as it moves through the reserve.
With Elster Creek’s water flow restored, specialist horticulturalists will commence planting the reserve’s approximate 200,000 aquatic and terrestrial plants.
When the wetlands are holding adequate water levels, the beautifully designed cascades between Wetland 1 and Wetland 2 will create a waterfall between the 2 wetland ponds.
Supporting biodiversity, the wetland islands, and associated rock works provide new habitat and refuge areas for local and migratory wildlife, including aquatic bird species most vulnerable to larger threats.
Additional large rocks from the wetland excavations are also being retained on site for use in other areas of the reserve.
Council is continuing to ensure that any works that may impact habitat in the reserve is done in a carefully considered and controlled manner, and in accordance with expert advice.
The significant wetland project is led by Bayside City Council with funding support from the Australian Government.”
