By Councillor Matt Tyler
Thank you to folks across our community who have submitted almost 2,500 suggestions as part of the Better Places Seabrook and Altona Meadows program.
I want people to be heard outside of election time and understanding what matters to you makes me a better representative.
I’m focused on getting results for our community and Better Places is an important part of this. We’re now in the third stage – community consultation on the draft projects. We want to hear what you think.
To date, we’ve heard that one of the highest priorities is making the local area look cleaner and feel safer.
Often suggestions were quite simple – improving the maintenance of open space and creek corridors, removing graffiti quickly, increasing tree canopy in the right spots or just providing more bins in well positioned locations.
While owners of private residences and other levels of government have a role here with things such as maintaining front yards and putting roundabouts on major roads respectively, Council could do better.
The proposed projects include a clean-up blitz, steps to improve safety such as new and upgraded lighting, and a range of greening initiatives.
We also heard there’s a desire for more places to socialise locally. Ideas include trialling pop-up cafes or food vans at local parks, developing plans to improve existing shopping strips such as Alma Avenue and Victoria Street, and upgrades to local parks.
Our library is also getting a refresh, and we’ll continue to push existing plans for major projects such as the proposed Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre, and Wetlands Centre.
Finally, we’ve got to find ways to improve walking and cycling networks, as well as access to public transport. We’ve put forward a number of proposals that we’re keen to progress with the state government.
I’d encourage you to jump online and have a look at the Better Places Seabrook and Altona Meadows projects and let us know what you think. Bit by bit, it’s the little things that add up to making our community even better.
This stage of consultation closes on April 15. Visit the Better Places Seabrook and Altona Meadows page to contribute your ideas.
Image: Artist’s impression of Homestead Run Reserve pop-up cafe and community space
