Brief history.
YWNA (then Yalukit Willam Nature Association) was first formed as a coalition of local people who were concerned about the environment, local flooding, water quality and climate change. In 2017 they actively worked to harness wide community interests in transforming Elsternwick Park North golf course into a unique nature reserve.
By July 2018, Yalukit Willam Nature Association (EPA) became an incorporated not-for-profit organisation (See Rules Below). A new Committee was elected of energetic members who shared a passion to plan, lobby, design and communicate their vison for rewilding the park. A set of guiding EPA Principles and Priorities set the way forward to engage important partners – local councils, Melbourne Water, environment groups, volunteers and community.
A historic landmark decision was made when Bayside City Council (BCC) in March 2020 approved a new Masterplan Report for Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve.
The vision was “a beautifully designed and maintained native parkland, wetland and urban forest. A place the echoes the beauty of the land before the invasion of concrete and asphalt. A place that provides refuge and tranquillity for people and wildlife.”
The Project Plan for the major masterplan redevelopment of the park started in 2021 with excavation works for the new chain of ponds. The project is led by Bayside City Council that convenes an Advisory group of which YWNA is a member. Further, Elster Creek Catchment group a partnership of four local councils and Melbourne Water support the plans ahead.
YWNA is now governed by a volunteer committee, has 11 members who meet monthly to coordinate activities, manage communications (website, Facebook, email), the coordination of volunteer events, finances and engagement with other community groups and the wider community. We work with key stakeholders in the project, particularly Bayside City Council who are the Land and Project Manager.
Membership has grown to over 290 members, many are committed volunteers who contribute to realising our vision by being involved in regular bird surveys, clean ups, planting and propagation. Many enjoy social events and visiting the Nature Reserve.
We continue to improve the park, act as advocates for its development, work together and are constantly encouraged by seeing new members become active and the growing interest of the community in all we do.
Model-rules-for-an-incorporated-association-2.pagesPurposes of the Association
The purposes of the Association are to collaborate with Bayside Council, Port Phillip and Glen Eira Councils, Melbourne Water, our affiliates and other relevant stakeholders:
1. To provide quality habitats for indigenous plants and animals in Elster Creek/Elsternwick Park and environs. To maintain and improve biodiversity through the use of water, landscape and locally indigenous plants. To provide a refuge for threatened and locally endangered species.
2. To develop and maintain the Park with exceptional aesthetic and public amenity. To create diverse opportunities for passive recreation, quiet enjoyment of the Park and appreciation of the natural environment.
3. To maintain and improve the Park as a flood retarding basin. To maximise effective water management opportunities with a major focus on flood mitigation.
4. To maximise opportunities to enhance water quality, within the Park, upstream and downstream, and in Port Phillip Bay (Nairm).
5. To develop opportunities to involve and engage the community in realising and valuing the above core purposes regarding Elster Creek/Elsternwick Park, Elster Creek catchment (both upstream and down-stream) and throughout the greater Elsternwick Park area. This includes but is not limited to:
a. Volunteering
b. Education/Indigenous Engagement
c. Advocacy
d. Research.
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On Country
The Yalukit Willam Nature Association is collaborating with the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council and appreciates the opportunity to work with Dr N’arwee’t Carolyn Briggs in deepening Cultural connections on Country. The Nature Reserve’s regenerative story is allied to the Kulin Nation’s living and ancestral connections to place that have existed continuously for tens of thousands of years.
Community Involvement
To develop opportunities to involve and engage the community in realising and valuing the core purposes regarding Elster Creek/Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve, Elster Creek catchment (both upstream and down-stream) and throughout the greater Elsternwick Park area. This includes but is not limited to:
a. Volunteering
b. Education/Indigenous Engagement
c. Advocacy
d. Research.
Flood Mitigation
To maintain and improve the Reserve as a flood retarding basin. To maximise effective water management opportunities with a major focus on flood mitigation.
Water Quality
To maximise opportunities to enhance and monitor water quality within the Reserve, upstream and downstream and ultimately in Port Phillip Bay (Nairm).
Environment
To provide quality habitats for indigenous (endemic) plants and animals in Elster Creek/Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve and environs. To maintain and improve biodiversity through the use of water, landscape and locally indigenous plants. To provide a refuge for threatened and locally endangered species.
Aesthetics & Public Amenity
To develop and maintain the Reserve with exceptional aesthetic, Cultural and public amenity. To create diverse opportunities for passive recreation, quiet enjoyment of the Reserve and appreciation of the natural environment.
