Around the Bay 12 April 2017
Cherry Lake Ward
Altona • Altona North • Brooklyn • Seaholme
JK Grant Reserve Pavilion
The pavilion at JK Grant Reserve is about to receive a major makeover which will substantially improve the pavilion’s social room, change facilities, toilets and add a new storage facility. The works will also include the provision of power and footings for the installation of a new electronic scoreboard to be supplied by the clubs. The pavilion is well used by the Altona Junior Football Club, Altona Football Club, Altona Auskick Centre and Altona Cricket Club. In addition to $1.319 million invested by Council and contributions from the tenant sports clubs, the project has also received a $100,000 grant from the State Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund and a $25,000 contribution from AFL Victoria to promote the development of facilities to increase female participation in sports. Works will begin this month and are expected to be complete by October this year, just in time for the 100th year anniversary celebration of the Altona Football Club in 2018.
Accessible beach matting extended
Due to popular demand, Council has decided to extend the availability of its 24/7 accessible beach matting at Williamstown until the end of April as well as undertake a trial of having the matting available all-year-round at Altona Beach. The beach matting, which was introduced as part of Council’s plan to make both beaches fully accessible by 2020, was originally intended to be stored away at the end of March until next summer. The matting has proved very popular with a broad range of people including wheelchair users, pram-pushers, people with walking frames and people wearing less beach-friendly shoes. The all-year-round trial at Altona Beach will provide Council with a further understanding of how the infrastructure responds to changes in weather as well as public demand. If you have any feedback on the matting, please email .
Join the conversation on conservation
After extensive input from the Hobsons Bay community, Council’s first ever draft Biodiversity Strategy is available for public review and comment. The strategy outlines the ways that Council and the local community will best protect and enhance Hobsons Bay’s natural environment, particularly local grasslands, water ways and coastlines. You can read the report and provide feedback online before 29 April at Alternatively, you can also attend the discussion workshop on Saturday 29 April from 10am to 12pm at the Altona Civic Centre. RSVP for the workshop by calling Council on 9932 1000 or at
Strand Ward
Newport • Spotswood • South Kingsville • Williamstown
National Trust Heritage Festival
Discover the unique history of Hobsons Bay during the National Trust Heritage Festival from 18 April to 21 May. From the Williamstown waterfront to the 129 year old Laverton School in Altona Meadows – one of the last remaining single room school houses in metropolitan Melbourne – our history and heritage are an important part of our identity here in the west of Melbourne. Hear about the history of Mechanics Institutes in Victoria, see Councillor William Henderson’s ‘labour of love’ tribute to the 265 Williamstown men who gave their lives in WWI or experience life as a student of the Old Laverton School in the early 1900’s. For information on Heritage Festival events and activities visit the Council website on
Paint the gardens
Bring a picnic to the beautiful, heritage listed Williamstown Botanic Gardens and enjoy this popular outdoor exhibition showcasing the talents of local artists and photographers. There will be prizes on offer for participating artists as well as art workshops, heritage walks and entertainment suitable for the whole family. This event has been presented in partnership with the Friends of Williamstown Botanic Gardens and brought to you as part of the Australian Heritage Festival. Saturday 22 April 11am to 4pm, for further information call 9932 2001.
Coastal Trail widening
The much loved Hobsons Bay Coastal trail is being widened to improve safety and accessibility for users of all ages and abilities. The reconstruction will include a three metre wide concrete path stretching from North Road in Newport to Ferguson Street in Williamstown which will be completed in three stages over the next three years. Works on the first stage, from North Road to Mulholland Lane in Newport, will commence in April and take approximately three weeks to complete. Alternative routes will be provided during construction.
Yana Alana covered in Williamstown
Arts at Your Doorstep is bringing the infamous Yana Alana to Williamstown on Thursday 27 April.
Yana Alana is renowned for her widely entertaining cabaret appearances. In a risqué act of defiance this drag diva will appear on stage with her all-female band – fully clothed! For ticket bookings and further information visit
Wetlands Ward
Altona Meadows • Laverton • Seabrook
School drop off zone
Council is preparing to trial a drop off and pick up zone in Mintaro Way at Seabrook Primary School later in Term two. The purpose is to improve safety for children and reduce congestion during the morning drop off and afternoon pick up. The zone area cannot be used for parking during drop off and pick up times.
This project is a collaboration between Council and Seabrook Primary School based on similar successful school parking areas around Melbourne. A drop off and pick up zone will also be trialled at Newport Lakes Primary school on Elizabeth Street in Newport.
Improved access to the Skeleton Creek
Over the next three years, Council will be working to upgrade and improve access and safety along the Skeleton Creek trail. Council is currently undertaking works to build four lead in trails in Altona Meadows at Ayr Street, Ascot Street South, Creek Water Close and the intersection of Markham Way and Sloane Court. These lead in trails will provide access for pram-pushers, cyclists and pedestrians to the 6.5km shared trail which takes you along the picturesque banks of the Skeleton Creek.Shared path works are scheduled for May 2017 between Labassa Way to South Terrace in Seabrook. These works are expected to take seven weeks to complete.
Bruce Comben Reserve
Works are progressing on the upgrade of the Bruce Comben Reserve and are expected to be complete by the end of the school holidays. Works involve the construction of a new road, roundabout, footpaths and fencing at Bruce Comben Reserve. These works will complete the upgrades which commenced in 2016.
Cooraminta Kindergarten extension
The newly renovated Cooraminta Laverton North Kindergarten was officially launched last month. The extension, which was joint funded by Council and the Victorian state government, has increased the centre’s capacity to provide additional four-year-old kindergarten placements for local families. This newly renovated facility boasts not only the additional licensed capacity, but also new junior and staff toilets, a new external veranda for outdoor programs and a beautifully upgraded playground.
Block Party
Sunday 30 April, Corner Lohse and Woods Streets Laverton from 11am – 3pm
Laverton’s Woods Street Arts Space turns five this April! What better way to celebrate than by making the annual Woods and Lohse Street Block Party bigger and better than ever? On Sunday 30 April, Woods Street plays host to music, dancing and arts galore – and everyone’s invited. Woods Street Arts Space and Mesh Mash will be open and play host to a range of free workshops, local cafes and restaurants will be showcasing their offerings via a special Block Party Menu and Street Artists, Polynesian Performers, a Community Choir, DJs, Performprint skaters and many more will all be on hand to ensure a good time is had by all. See you there!