After several months of community consultation, the Hobson’s Bay City Council Better Places initiative has developed 16 place-based projects to make Spotswood and South Kingsville even better places to live, work and visit.
A ‘GreenLine’ enabling residents to cycle to the city in 20 minutes, a major revamp of the Spotswood industrial area and a push for increased affordable housing are just some of the ideas being considered in the next phase of the program.
The “GreenLine” concept features shared pathways running through the heart of Spotswood and South Kingsville linking key destinations in an active transport corridor, including the Federation Trail and proposed West Gate Tunnel Veloway.
To complement the works being undertaken for the Local Area Movement Plan (LAMP) and Spotswood Activity Centre Plan, “Streets for People” aims to reduce vehicle speeds making streets feel safer for pedestrians and cyclists, while “Missing Links” focuses on identifying and upgrading missing foot and bike paths.
Hobsons Bay Mayor Cr Jonathon Marsden says “Spotswood and South Kingsville have undergone an immense amount of change over the past decade. With the population set to double over the next 15 years, we need to think strategically about how we can retain the things we love about these neighbourhoods, while providing for the future needs of the community.”
The Hudsons Road and Vernon Street shopping precinct are included in the initiative – “Better Villages” will make them more pedestrian and bike friendly and support traders in the future.
As for the Spotswood industrial Precinct, “Better Placed for Future Industries” will undertake works to enhance the amenity and function of the area in order to attract a more diverse range of businesses, while the “Future Industries Working Group” will help drive the transition.
Meanwhile, look out for “Pop-up Community Spaces”, a series of projects that will enable the community to get involved.
To find out more, check out better-places.com.au to see the plans, or send in your feedback before Wednesday 11 August.
