Altona traders have hailed the decision to permanently close Pier Street to traffic.
Last week, Hobsons Bay council voted unanimously in favour of a proposal to permanently close a section of the shopping strip between Queen Street and Blyth Street to traffic.
The lower end of Pier Street was temporarily closed during the Covid pandemic as a way to support local businesses, with the space used for outdoor dining, trading and community activations since.
Altona Village Traders Association president Ilch Michovski said the decision by council to make the temporary closure of Pier Street permanent, was clearly the right one.
“I think it’s a great win for community, traders and tourism within Altona,” Mr Michovski said.
“It’s really been embraced by the local community. Out of something that was doom and gloom through the pandemic, it’s turned into a positive for Altona.”
Mr Michovski’s view was reflected in community feedback on the proposal.
Of the 469 submissions council received, 78 per cent supported the permanent closure of Pier Street compared to just 15 per cent against.
Another 7 per cent provided inconclusive submissions.
In moving the motion to permanently close Pier Street at the council meeting on May 27, Cr Rayene Hawli said the section between Queen and Blyth had been closed for a long time now and had clearly made a difference.
“Anyone who has visited Pier Street in Altona will know that this closure has really brought Altona to life,” Cr Hawli said.
Speaking after the motion was carried, mayor Daria Kellander said the closure would please local business owners.
“Altona traders have fought for this for a long time and I know they’re gonna be happy to hear of this outcome,” Cr Kellander said.
Mr Michovski confirmed that was the case, but said the next challenge was finding the money to develop the precinct.
“The achilles heel at the moment is that Hobsons Bay council don’t have money to complete the street to its full potential,” he said.
It’s understood that Hobsons Bay council has not allocated funding towards making the Pier Street closure permanent and that the current temporary structures would remain in place for the foreseeable future.
