Fotheringham Nature Reserve is approximately 16 hectares of public open space and potentially one of the City of Greater Dandenong’s most important recreational and environmentally significant areas.
The reserve contains one of the largest intact remnant River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) woodlands within the municipality, providing habitat for many native species of plants and animals, and acts as a passive recreation area for residents. Fotheringham Reserve contains a zone of Riparian Woodland, adjacent to the Yarraman Creek which contains billabongs.
Council has collaborated with Melbourne Water through their incentives program, “Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways,” to revitalise one of the billabongs within Fotheringham Nature Reserve. These works included earthworks within the billabong, which commenced in March 2022 and were followed up with revegetation within the marsh and batter area in July 2022. Amenities around the billabong were also improved with the old boardwalk and pathways renewed in May 2024.
Fotheringham Reserve remains a vital habitat corridor that connects to other reserves throughout the municipality, providing essential shelter and habitat for smaller birds and wildlife. This billabong enhances the local ecosystem and waterways, supporting native flora and fauna and giving community insight into what the area would’ve been like pre-development.
