Michaela Meade
Hobsons Bay residents will soon get better walking and cycling connections as part of the council’s draft Local Area Movement Plan (LAMP).
The LAMP follows extensive community consultation between November, 2020, and January, 2021, and focuses on safe, efficient and accessible transport in Brooklyn, Altona North, Spotswood, South Kingsville, Newport and Williamstown North.
The draft LAMP is a five-year framework to guide infrastructure planning and implementation to improve the community’s ways of travelling through the municipality.
The finalised LAMP will eventually be used to advocate to the state and federal governments about maintaining and improving local transport and traffic networks.
Mayor Jonathon Marsden said the community consultation was very effective.
“When we asked the community in the northern areas of the city how they currently travel and if they saw any opportunities for improvement, we were given a really great snapshot of peoples’ experiences on the Hobsons Bay transport network,” Cr Marsden said.
“All of that feedback has now gone into a draft five-year plan that will see motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users travel more safely and efficiently across Hobsons Bay and beyond.”
Some of the initiatives for the LAMP include the construction of a three-metre wide shared path in Ross Road in Brooklyn and Altona North, an investigation into kerb outstands, road narrowing, street trees and on-road markings of additional pedestrian crossing points in Hudsons Road in Spotswood and South Kingsville, and liaising with Public Transport Victoria and the Department of Transport to investigate improvements to the Newport Bus Interchange.
Deputy mayor Daria Kellander said the draft LAMP is imperative for improvements.
“Our draft LAMP is really important work as it looks at all forms of transport and how they integrate with each other,” Cr Kellander said.
“Insights from our residents and visitors is a vital part of this project.
“Consultation is now open, so let us know if our draft LAMP is in line with your ideas and experiences so that we can keep Hobsons Bay moving in the right direction.”
Residents can have their say in the LAMP, and chat directly to council officers until Friday, June 11.
Details: participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/northernlamps
