New play spaces, major wins for sport and recreation, upgraded roads and infrastructure and revamped community buildings have all been on the to-do list as Council works to deliver its record $59.77 million capital works program.
A half-year review of the 2019-20 capital works program shows great progress for big ticket items across Hobsons Bay, with several major projects completed and many more under way.
In Cherry Lake Ward, the foreshore has benefited from considerable investment. Council completed a major upgrade at PA Burns Reserve, including a new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians, a dedicated passage way for dogs and dog walkers to access the beach safely, viewing platforms and fencing to protect the conservation zones.
A little further along the coast, access ramps have been built at Bent Street and Millers Road to create greater accessibility for beach cleaning and lifesaving club activities. Bent Street also boasts a new shelter with accessible benches and seats, which are already proving popular, while Millers Road incorporates improved access to Flemings Pool and a higher seawall to protect against storm surges.
On the recreation front, work on G Den Dulk Reserve wrapped up before Christmas with the Altona community now able to enjoy new play equipment, park furniture, a half court and a community garden. The community is invited to celebrate the reserve opening with a morning tea this Sunday 16 February from 10am. Cementing our commitment to sport and recreation, Council is also finalising a concept design for community feedback for two new sportsgrounds and new cricket practice nets at WLJ Crofts Reserve.
Meanwhile in Strand Ward, the Bayside College Williamstown campus and Donald McLean Reserve projects are moving along. At Bayside, work is on track with new irrigation and turf installed on both ovals, three new tennis courts, resurfacing of the old netball courts, new lighting and a pavilion extension. The project will be complete by the end of April.
Over at Donald McLean, full redevelopment works of Oval 1 started in September and will maximise the size and shape of the ground to better accommodate AFL and cricket. New irrigation, fencing and goal posts will also be part of the project. Oval 1 is expected to be open for club use by May. An irrigation upgrade of Oval 2 will start in September 2020. Both ovals will receive lighting upgrades from February.
There has also been great activity in the streets of Strand Ward with tree planting in Nelson Place, along with a lighting upgrade that will increase safety and amenity while still being sympathetic to Williamstown’s heritage. South Kingsville’s Vernon Street looks like a new street with fresh drainage, footpaths and road surface – all right around the corner from Edwards Reserve, which now features a new public toilet with two accessible cubicles with baby change tables.
Wetlands Ward boasts one of the newest parks in the municipality with the opening of Curlew Community Park in Laverton in December. The park features a children’s play space, trampolines, a climbing area, skateboard and scooter track, a colourful mural by artist Ness Flett, barbecue facilities, walking paths and landscaping. It also pays homage to several local identities and their contribution to the Laverton community.
Other park upgrades have also occurred at Homestead Run Seabrook, and Tatman Reserve and Altona Meadows Community Park in Altona Meadows.
To meet the sporting needs of our community, the Altona Sports Centre expansion is well under way. Starting with the new car park and two outdoor netball courts, the extension of the existing centre will include four additional indoor courts, change room facilities, office space and café facilities when it is complete in May 2021.
Sustainable transport has also been on the agenda with the completion of stage three of the Skeleton Creek Shared Trail between Ravenswood Court through to St Anthony Court in Seabrook. The works have increased the width of the trail to 3m, making it more accessible, and will include bench seating, drinking fountains, dog waste dispensers and tree plantings. Flooding and access issues at the Lan Avenue bridge on the west side of the creek will also be addressed as part of the next stage of the project.
Council has commenced installing way finding signage across the municipality to encourage greater exploration of Hobsons Bay, with the first batch installed in Altona and Williamstown. We will also be rolling out three bike maintenance stations in Seabrook, Altona and Williamstown following a number of community submissions received from across our city.
As stated by Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Colleen Gates
“It has been a busy and productive six months as Council teams rolls out the almost $60 million capital works program, including projects suggested though community submissions.
“Our investment in capital works has increased significantly in recent years – investment representing a combination of responding to community needs and community ideas (via the budget pitch process).
“In the sport and recreation space alone, Council has committed to delivering almost $25 million in projects to meet the actions in our Open Space Strategy and the demands identified in the Sports Needs Analysis.
“I am proud of the work that we have achieved and the major investments we have made so far this financial year and look forward to seeing many more projects come to fruition in the next six months.”
2019-20 Capital Works Program: highlights
Cherry Lake Ward
Complete
- Foreshore Renewal Program – PA Burns Reserve, Seaholme
- Bent Street Altona – Vehicle Maintenance Ramp
- Millers Road Altona – pedestrian ramp
- G Den Dulk Reserve community park
In progress
- Altona Civic Centre – work is under way on the customer service foyer and community meeting space, as well as the office area. Work is expected to be complete in December.
- Shared Trails Kororoit Creek – design of Stages 4 and 5 will be finalised by June
- Doug Grant Reserve new safety fence – second stage of fencing on the south side of the shared trail is scheduled for April 2020
- Esplanade/Apex Park car park, roundabout and landscaping – works to commence in March 2020 (community submission)
Strand Ward
Complete
- Parramatta Street, Williamstown road rehabilitation
- Esplanade Williamstown pedestrian improvements
- Craig Street Reserve playground upgrade
- Williamstown Botanic Gardens Master Plan Implementation – irrigation works are complete, planting will take place in autumn
In progress
- JT Gray Reserve new pavilion – the concept plan for the pavilion is nearing completion including stakeholder engagement, with work expected to commence in May 2020
- Bayside College Williamstown / Paisley Sporting Redevelopments
- Armstrong Reserve Stage 1 – works on the new basketball/netball court, a picnic shelter, footpaths, seating, sculptures and landscaping start in February 2020
- Nelson Place street lighting ($250,000) – design and engagement are in progress and works are scheduled to commence in May 2020
Wetlands Ward
Complete
- Curlew Community Park, Epsom Street
- Homestead Run lighting and bollards, in addition to a playground and community garden)
- Tatman Stage 2 flying fox, rubber matting and basketball court upgrade
- Altona Meadows Community Park toilet (irrigation and barbecue facilities are ongoing)
In progress
- Altona Sports Centre – new car park, two outdoor netball courts and the extension of the existing centre. Project will be complete in May 2021
- Skeleton Creek Shared Trails upgrade from Point Cook Road to St Anthony’s Court, Seabrook – works are scheduled to start in late February 2020
- Shared Trails Point Cook Road between Shane Avenue and Catherine Road – design is under way and scheduled for completion in June 2020
- Wetland Centre feasibility study – feasibility study is in progress (community submission)
Across Hobsons Bay
Complete
- Drainage upgrades across the city
- Municipal wayfinding signage
In progress
- Library Management System upgrade – works have commenced and scheduled for completion in June.
Shared path bike maintenance stations – installation is set to start on two of the three stations this autumn. The third station in Skeleton Creek will be installed once the bridge works are complete mid-2020 (community submission)
