Around the Bay – 15 July 2015
Cherry Lake
National Tree Day
Harris Reserve off Marsh Street, Altona North is an ideal location for this year’s National Tree Day event. The magnificent corridor along the banks of the Kororoit Creek has been transformed thanks to over 50,000 trees planted in the last 14 years. The event on 26 July features a number of special guests as well as special activities for the kids include a jumping castle, face painting, give away lollies and a free BBQ lunch. Wes Fleming, winner of the Chelsea Flower Show in 2013, will give a talk, and Chris Tzaros, wildlife ecologist and photographer who will discuss the endangered Swift Parrot, sighted recently in Bundoora. Planting begins at 10am and more than 2,000 trees and plants will be planted on the day. If possible people please bring your own hammers and trowel, and wear suitable clothing.
Second Avenue, Altona North
Consultation has begun on the revitalisation plans for Second Avenue and you have until 24 July to tell us what you think. Seating and shrub planting will frame a revitalised public space for gathering and socialising. New tree plantings will provide shade. Higher kerbs will deter cars from mounting the pavement, and wider paths will allow members of the community better access to the shopping strip. To check out the plans and leave your feedback go to Council’s website.
Queen Street shared path
Drive along Queen Street at the moment, past the historic iron fence of the former explosives reserve, and you will see works taking place on the southern side of the road. We are constructing a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists to link up the Laverton community trail with the reserve and the Men’s Shed. Everything going to plan, the works should be finished by the end of the week.
Pier Street works
You may have noticed recent activity outside Coles. Between the pedestrian crossing and the Queen Street intersection, new paving has been laid, new kerb and channel installed, safety barriers erected, and new street furniture to come. The works are ahead of schedule and should be finished this week. Phase two begun last weekend and features a similar batch of works between Blyth Street and the pedestrian crossing. All your favourite shops, services, cafes etc will remain open during this time. The works are part of a four-phase series of works for the southern end of Pier Street. More details are available at Council’s website.
Strand
Hatt Reserve revetment
Works on the Hatt Reserve revetment wall have begun and are expected to be complete by early September. The works, undertaken by Council and the Department of Environment, Water and Land Planning, will bolster the shoreline from future flooding. There will be some disruption to the pathway along the foreshore due to the construction site and users of Hatt Reserve will be directed to the shared trail closer to The Esplanade. Trucks will also be entering the construction site at one location along The Esplanade and foreshore. The rock pools and swimming holes will still be accessible to users of the reserve once the works are completed.
Jack Madigan
Terracing works have begun at Jack Madigan Reserve and the park is starting to take shape. The terracing works will enable sections of the reserve to flatten out providing new public spaces for the community to meet and play in.We will soon be starting on the gabion walls. These are mesh frame walls filled with rocks commonly used around shorelines. They’re perfect for Jack Madigan as they don’t require penetrating deep into the hard rock to provide a foundation. The rocks have been sourced from local landfill sites as a nod to the reserve’s past when, from the mid-1970s onwards, it was used as a landfill site.
Eid festival
If there’s one word to describe the Eid celebrations at Seaworks in Williamstown it would have to be diversity. Everyone can have a good time here. There are carnival rides for all ages, there’s a diverse range of stalls and activities, and foodies will not be disappointed. The festival, celebrating the end of Ramadan, is open to everyone. Taking place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July from 11am to 10pm, the event is organised by the Newport Islamic Society Western Suburbs and proudly supported by Hobsons Bay. For details or stall bookings, phone 0425 210 200 or 0412 122 463.
AAYD – Lost World War 1 Diary
Damian Callinan is a renowned stand-up and character comedian and he is coming to Williamstown Town Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 28 July. Damian’s play about World War One is another great opportunity for Arts at Your Doorstep theatre goers to access varied and interesting productions close to home. Damian discovers the diary of war veteran Paddy Callinan when and he takes it upon himself to find outif Paddy really is the legendary relative that Damian Callinan’s family never speaks of. It’s black humour mixed with beautiful writing, farce mixed with pathos. Tickets are available at
Wetlands
Skeleton Creek Maintenance works
Maintenance works are continuing along Skeleton Creek, Altona Green with the planting of 600 trees, shrubs and groundcovers to sections of the reserve between Merton Street and Creek Water Mews. The improvements form part of a partnership program between Council, Friends of Skeleton Creek and Melbourne Water to improve habitat and renew plantings in the area.Maintenance works at the reserve have also increased, with the removal of dead trees and vegetation and increased mowing along the rear of properties and the shared trail.
Woods and Lohse Street resurfacing
Have you checked out the new playspace at Lohse Street yet? The area’s about to receive another improvement with road rehab taking place along Lohse Street between Maher Road and Woods Street. Works will include road resurfacing, new kerb and channel, and improved drainage. This is the first of a number of road rehabilitation projects for 2015-16. In total over 2300 tonnes of asphalt will be laid across the municipality.
Bruce Comben Reserve
Works have started on the Bruce Comben Reserve Pavilion Redevelopment.The expansion of the pavilion, which will allow the local rugby club to use the facility in the winter season,should be completed by mid-October.New floodlighting will be installed later in the year to accompany the pavilion upgrade.
Woods Street Arts Space
The new Woods Street Arts Space program will soon be released. The regular stalwarts will be there: from life drawing to hip hop dancing, to youth group gatherings to African drumming. There will also be some excellent new programs and workshops including kids’ pottery and Art Sauce workshops, and Electronic Moon workshops combing art, design, technology and LED lights. A hard copy of the program will be available from August at Woods Street Arts Space, Hobsons Bay City Council, local libraries and community centres. An electronic copy will be placed on Council’s website at a similar time.