BACKGROUND

Prior to the extension of European people into the lands of the Nillum-bik in the late 1830s the Wurundjeri people had been meeting for thousands of years at the junction of the Diamond Creek with the Yarra River, in the area now known as Eltham Lower Park.

 

The first European settlers were squatters or leaseholders. During the late 1840s the colonial government was subdividing land within the parish of Nillumbik and an area set aside on the north bank of the Yarra as a future village was named Eltham.

 

From the early 1850s horse racing meetings were held in the Eltham Lower Park area. An 1860s plan shows it as a proposed racecourse reserve and indicates that part of the park was swampy, the Homestead Road area was a high stringybark range and there were rich flats in the (former) Lenister Farm area.

 

LOCATION

Lenister Farm, 23 ha,  is located on the southern edge of Eltham Lower Park, near the junction of the Yarra River and Diamond Creek.

HISTORY

In  1996, the Lenister Farm Wetland was created to filter nutrients coming from the Lenister Farm Nursery before they enter the Yarra River. The project involved developing a habitat for indigenous flora and fauna which would also serve as a learning and recreation resource for the community to enjoy.

The redevelopment of the site involved converting a farm dam invaded by weeds into a healthy, functioning wetland.

In 1997/1998 a bird-hide, landscaping, rockeries, footbridge and Interpretative signs were installed.

 

Inspection of the Wetlands during January and February 2015 revealed that the lake is now totally dry, overgreen with weeds, the birdhide and lookout fence are dilapidated (almost hidden in bush) and the paths have deteriorated.

 

ACCESS

The Wetlands area may be reached from a walking track starting at the miniature railway, which passes the equestrian compound, and ending at the Yarra footbridge. It may also be reached from the Main Yarra Trail, via the Footbridge, or from the link to the Diamond Creek Trail (Homestead Rd).

 

An Observation Platform is located next to the Yarra.