Following significant community feedback, Council has endorsed the revised master plan for Bruce Comben Reserve in Altona Meadows to guide future planning, development, maintenance and management of the 17 hectare site.
The master plan features:
- the proposed location of a new aquatic and leisure centre
- acknowledgement of ongoing provision of early years services
- upgrades to the current sports facilities
- new multi-purpose hardcourt facility and activity zones
- an enhanced family and conservation area to feature a new play space, a dog off-leash area and landscaped interface to Skeleton Creek
Council received close to 250 submissions on the master plan with this valuable input steering some important changes in the final master plan, including: reducing the encroachment of sportsgrounds to the south by switching the junior and senior playing fields; relocation of the play space closer to the junior sports oval, and expansion of the non-sporting areas of the park to include a multipurpose hardcourt, toilets, dog off-lead and conservation areas closer to Skeleton Creek.
Car parking space allocated within the Reserve will provide direct access for park users and minimise use of local streets. Council will also work with local residents to improve accessibility and safety of local streets and address traffic congestion. Council’s advocacy to the state government for the duplication of Central Avenue and improvements to the Point Cook Road and Princess Freeway interchange remains a key priority.
With funding being allocated within Council’s 2020-21 Capital Works Program to commence master plan implementation works, the master plan will be delivered within three years. Construction of the Aquatic facility is set to start in five years.
Bruce Comben Reserve is located off Central Avenue, Altona Meadows. It currently includes a sports pavilion, rugby league, touch rugby and cricket clubs, an early years facility, a playground, large open space areas and walking tracks along Skeleton Creek.
As stated by Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Colleen Gates
“The old masterplan for Comben Reserve gathered dust on the shelf. Following adoption of the Aquatic Strategy it became a priority to revise the masterplan for the broader precinct so that council can get on with implementing improvements that we have waited far too long for.
Bruce Comben Reserve will become the newest community meeting place and a central hub for many – with easy access for Altona Meadows and Seabrook residents, especially once the new footbridge has also been installed. There will be spaces and places to share with everyone and I can’t wait to see this huge site transformed into a beautiful park for local residents.”
