The EPNR Masterplan sets out an overarching plan for the future of the reserve. It came out of the vision for the reserve as a “a place of refuge and tranquility” and reflected the four priorities for the reserve set out by Bayside City Council, namely:
· Environment-specifically habitat for native and locally endangered species
· Public amenity
· Water quality and reuse
· Flood mitigation.
It was developed over a period of two years by the EPNR Community Reference Panel. The Yalukit Willam Nature Association was a key member organisation of that panel and a significant contributor to the development of the Masterplan.
EPNR-MasterplanFrom the Introduction to the Flora and Habitat Strategy.
Arcadis Australia Pacific Limited (Arcadis) was engaged by Bayside City Council to prepare a Habitat and Flora Strategy for Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve (Elsternwick Park NR).
In March 2018, the Council voted in favour of the creation of a passive open space/environmentally focussed reserve at the former golf course. Works to remove much of the old golf course infrastructure has already begun, and this Strategy will provide ecological advice integral to achieving the vision for the reserve.
Four core reserve priorities have been identified for the site:
• Environment
• Public amenity
• Flood mitigation
• Water quality.
The highly modified Elster Creek (largely existing as an underground pipe or concrete drain) flows east to west through the site in what is one of the last remaining semi-natural aboveground sections of the waterway. It is central to the four core reserve priorities.
Numerous fauna and habitat surveys have been completed within the reserve and information gathered from these baseline surveys has been complied by Port Phillip EcoCentre Inc (PPEI 2019, draft). The report prepared by PPEI includes a list of 37 target and icon species which are known or likely to occur within the Park currently or could occur if appropriate habitat improvements were to occur. In addition to the 37 target species identified in the fauna report, an additional four bird species, two reptile species, yabbies and freshwater molluscs were identified as target species by Bayside City Council in the Request for Quotation brief regarding preparation of this Strategy. The information from the Fauna Report and the targeted species identified in the brief have informed the preparation of this Strategy.
This Habitat and Flora Strategy provides an overview of the existing biodiversity values and guidance for the creation of flora and fauna habitat across the reserve. This includes accommodating the fauna species identified in the Fauna Report (PPEI 2019) and brief, as mentioned above, as well as habitat for a suite of indigenous flora species and vegetation communities. In developing this Strategy, existing biodiversity conditions were assessed to determine which areas already support suitable fauna habitat and/or native vegetation, and identify the habitat attributes that could be improved to enhance biodiversity values. This Strategy also considers nuisance/pest species (both flora and fauna) and other management issues. This information can be used to assist the design of the proposed works associated with increasing the water holding capacity within the Reserve.
Elsternwick-Park-Habitat-and-Flora-Strategy-FINAL