MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY
Home » News » Enhancing open spaces and celebrating heritage

Enhancing open spaces and celebrating heritage

Our open spaces are among the most valued assets in our community, and they are an important part of our lives.

Whether it’s a place for kids to play, for families and friends to relax or take a walk, we are always looking to improve these areas so you can get the most out of them.

It’s always rewarding to see a park become more useful in people’s lives.

Council has been working for several years on developing the space at Mary Street Reserve in Spotswood.

It’s actually something we’ve been talking about with the Spotswood Kingsville RSL since October 2017, and it was later identified by the community as one of 16 projects they wanted as part of the Better Places Spotswood and South Kingsville program.

The locals recognised the potential for the land, which was handed over to the then City of Williamstown in June 1925, nearly a hundred years ago.

Through our initial community consultation, they told us they wanted to make better use of the space, including the old bowling green and car park off The Avenue.

A master plan framework for the Mary Street Reserve has been developed, including a new play space, picnic area, multipurpose sports court and multiuse open grass space, and integrating the building that has been leased by the Spotswood Kingsville RSL.

There is still time for the public to tell us what they think about this master plan framework and help shape the plan for this reserve.

This stage of public consultation closes on Monday 27 March.

You can have your say at participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

The draft master plan will then be developed and you’ll have another chance to have your say.

We intend to start work in 2023-24.

Coming up next month is the Heritage Hobsons Bay festival, which is a fantastic program filled with events to entertain and educate us about the incredible history of our city.

I’m incredibly passionate about preserving and celebrating the heritage and history of Hobsons Bay because it has been a significant part of the growth of Melbourne and Victoria.

This year’s festival theme is ‘Shared stories’ and there is a packed program of performances, exhibitions, tours and virtual events exploring our Indigenous, cultural and natural heritage.

For more information, visit hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/heritagehobsonsbay.

Digital Editions


  • More cameras coming to Victoria’s roads

    More cameras coming to Victoria’s roads

    The state government will roll out 35 new fixed cameras, two point-to-point networks and tougher seatbelt and distracted-driving enforcement as part of its Road Safety…

More News

  • Doctor design

    Doctor design

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 535233 Like dozens of his colleagues, Western Health anaesthetist Dr David Bramley was enjoying the spacious and modern surroundings of the new Footscray Hospital…

  • Volunteer hails new hospital

    Volunteer hails new hospital

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 535233 The new Footscray Hospital is much bigger, more modern, offers many more services and is much more conveniently located than its predecessor. But…

  • Footscray Hospital’s opening day

    Footscray Hospital’s opening day

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 535233 The opening of the new Footscray Hospital on Wednesday 18 February was a landmark event for the western suburbs, with the state of…

  • Hit and run investigated

    Hit and run investigated

    Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed a hit and run collision in South Kingsville on Thursday night to come forward. Emergency services were called to Blackshaws Road about 11pm…

  • Stars coming to Altona North

    Stars coming to Altona North

    International box lacrosse is coming to Altona North. Both the Next Gen Series and the IIJL Commonwealth Cup are being hosted at Alan Lewer Box Court. The inaugural Next Gen…

  • Focus on transport future

    Focus on transport future

    Transport affects every part of daily life. It shapes how we get to work and school, connect with friends and family, and enjoy our beautiful city. That’s why it’s so…

  • Faces of the west

    Faces of the west

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 532699 Each week Star Weekly photographers are out and about capturing events and people across the west.

  • Williamstown cold case mystery

    Williamstown cold case mystery

    Thirty-two years ago, 79-year-old Leah Buck was attacked and robbed in Williamstown in broad daylight. The severe injuries she sustained would result in her death the following day. Her attacker…

  • Community Calendar

    Community Calendar

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 534644 The Newport Lakes Bush Dance Newport Fiddle and Folk Club’s annual bush dance is on 15 March and has been made possible through…

  • Merzbow to bring noise to Newport

    Merzbow to bring noise to Newport

    For almost five decades now, Tokyo-based artist Merzbow has held an undisputed position as the iconic forefather of noise music. It’s said his work, which catapults the listener into an…