Altona North will be opened up to tourism because of new trails and parkland provided under the West Gate Tunnel Project, say Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek.
But Spotswood residents say they have missed out on the open space they requested, despite being negatively impacted by the project.
The project will create about nine hectares of new open space and parkland, including completion of the Kororoit Creek Trail, a three-hectare park in Altona North (pictured), and a new shared trail under the West Gate Freeway that will link to the Federation Trail.
Friends president Geoff Mitchelmore said the group was rapt that Altona North would be linked to Federation Trail.
“It will mean that all of Altona North will have shared trail, from Barnes Road nearly as far as Caroline Springs in one direction, and to Werribee and the city along the Federation Trail,” he said.
“The fact that they’re doing that link is a bonus to the community – a great result – and will open up Altona North to tourism … people will be able to commute backwards and forwards. They’re planning to put the path in and also to put lots of plants in.
“At the same time, they’re talking of upgrading the Federation Trail, which is in a bit of a mess at the moment. For the commuter, for people on bikes – great news.”
But Better West spokeswoman Christine Harris said Spotswood residents had missed out on any potential benefit from the project.
“We’re happy that Altona North is getting open space – they should be getting open space,” she said.
“This project brings huge air pollution problems with it so open space is mandatory as an offset. Our concern is that Spotswood is getting no open space.
“We clearly requested that the industrial land on Simcock Avenue be converted to open space and ideally joined up with Stony Creek. This request has been ignored.
“Spotswood gets nothing out of this project except a truck ramp next to our only open space [McLean Reserve].”
