Cherry Lake
Doug Grant Reserve
We’ll soon be welcoming back our yearly visitors to Hobsons Bay. To coincide with the arrival of our migratory birds, returning from their breeding grounds in the tundra of the northern hemisphere, you’ll find a new sign at Doug Grant Reserve. The sign, as well as displaying the migratory and resident birds that at various times frequent our wetland areas, will also help build awareness towards the importance of maintaining the birds’ delicate habitats.
Cherry Lake
You may have seen a helicopter over Cherry Lake last Wednesday. Melbourne Water removed a number of weedy exotic tree species from the land to the north of Cherry Lake, and placed them in strategic locations throughout the lake itself so as to improve the habitat for birds. This idea was came from numerous customer requests from local park users over the past few years asking for safer nesting sites for birds after repeated dog and fox attacks, and entanglement from fishing line left behind by irresponsible fishermen. There was no cost involved for the Council.
Altona beach market
On Tuesday 23 September Altona beach market will be celebrating 10 years with activities and a day of celebration. The market, run by the Altona Village Traders Association, is a bit of an institution. On 21 September 2004 the first market was officially opened by the Mayor at the time, Bill Baarini, together with the Ward Councillor Leigh Hardinge. The first market had 67 stalls, three of which are still running. The idea for the market came as a way to attract more visitors during the typical mid-week lull. It now attracts a mix of locals and people from far and wide.
Seaholme foreshore
The council has made a submission to the Victorian Government’s Coastal Environments Program for a grant to support works along the Seaholme foreshore. The works, taking place from opposite Queen Street to the Cresser Reserve jetty, include construction of a 150 metre revetment wall, a beach access ramp, and realignment and replacement of 70 metres of Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail damaged by the storm event at the end of June.
The Strand
Spring into life
Spring is on its way and we’ll be springing into life and springing into the west. You may know Spring into life from previous years: it encourages people of all ages to get out and say goodbye to winter. Newport Community Education Centre, 43 Mason Street will be hosting the Bush Orchestra on 15 September, a musical ensemble with a passion for grass roots music. There will also be calligraphy and mosaics workshops on 18 September, and Williamstown Seniors, 109 Ferguson Street will host line dancing on 16 and 23 September. The full program is available on Council’s website (www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au).
From your street to the shops
Drop in to Williamstown Town Hall Chamber on 3 September between 4pm and 7pm to have your say on the Neighbourhood Character Study and Activity Centre Strategy. Other drop-in sessions are available including one at South Kingsville Community Centre on 22 September. ‘From your street to the shops’ is asking you to take a big picture perspective and think about neighbourhood character and activity centres in your area. One of the catalysts for undertaking this work is the introduction of the New Residential Zones. We’ve also launched a new, easy way for you to participate online called Participate Hobsons Bay at http://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/home.
Flora ID walk at Greenwich Bay
Did you know it’s the 25th anniversary of Australia’s largest volunteer movement Landcare? To mark the occasion, environment group Friends of Greenwich Bay will be leading a flora ID walk between 10am and midday on 14 September. Suzette Rodoreda, Acting Supervisor of Council’s Conservation Crew, will be the day’s guide. Anyone wishing to learn more about local flora needs to meet at The Gatehouse near the athletics track at the far end of The Strand (originally the gatehouse of the old SEC Power Station).
Out on the weekend
Seaworks is one of our hidden gems in Hobsons Bay and this year it will be hosting a new event: ‘Out on the Weekend.’ Leading the festival bill will be US muso Justin Townes Earle, as well as charismatic local Henry Wagons. Country, bluegrass and folk blender Robert Ellis, Los Angeles muso Ryan Bingham and Canadian singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega are among the other names confirmed for the event. The Big Shed at Seaworks is a popular event venue. It recently hosting the Eid-al-fitr celebrations which attracted a huge crowd. Other events include car shows, markets, performing arts, boat shows, and the annual Lego expo.
Wetlands
Public Transport Victoria (PTV)
As part of PTV’s review, a number of changes have been proposed to services in Seabrook, Altona Meadows and parts of Laverton as well as reinstating bus access to Aviation Road shops and Aircraft station. At our request PTV will hold an additional consultation session in Hobsons Bay on 11 September at the Laverton Hub. This will be a good chance to learn more about the proposed changes to bus services, ask questions and provide feedback so we encourage local commuters to attend this session. You can drop in at any time between 4pm and 7pm. Alternatively, you can fill out an online survey at the PTV’s website (ptv.vic.gov.au/wyndham2015).
Laverton Community Hub cafe
The tender has now been awarded for the hub’s cafe. The lease, two years with a two year extension option, has been awarded to Wyndham Community Education Centre (WCEC). As part of their proposal, WCEC, one of Victoria’s largest adult and community education providers, will target training and employment opportunities for local people including the unemployed, those with disability, or people from new and emerging communities. Saffron Kitchen will serve a range of options specialising in vegetarian fare. The hub has had a busy couple of months including hosting the annual battle of the bands competition on 30 August. Congratulations to the acoustic duo Blue Couch for winning this year’s competition with a mixture of originals and covers.
McCormack Park
If you’re wondering when you’ll be able to play on the climbing net and spinner at McCormack Park, it should be completed by the end of the month. The playspace in Laverton is now taking shape with only the final touches remaining, including landscaping and the creation of a sensory garden. As well as the climbing net and spinner, there’s a sandpit and digger, rock and boulder seating, timber chimes and tom toms, and a gigantic snake which you may already have noticed from the street.