A Seaholme resident is lobbying Hobsons Bay council to close part of the Esplanade at Altona beach and create a “French Riviera” pop-up park with artificial grass similar to that in Yarraville.
On Sunday, George Said posted his idea on Facebook group “Altona, I lived there” and received about 300 likes. But he also attracted some strong opposition.
In 2014, Maribyrnong council decided to permanently close Ballarat Street near Yarraville’s Sun Theatre and create a $250,000 pop-up park with synthetic turf, tables and chairs. Mr Said told Star Weekly that after a recent visit to the Sun Theatre, he thought a similar park would be a good idea for Altona.
“Look, I’m a Greek,” he said. “I’ve been overseas many times and what I’ve seen on Greek islands and France and places like that, people exploit the good spots they have and people enjoy them.
“I’ve been here 53 years and ever since I came I thought, well, where is that cafe that’s on the beach? Nowhere. They don’t permit it.
“The foreshore doesn’t belong to the council. It belongs to people. It belongs to the ratepayers. Let’s have the Riviera in Altona.”
Mr Said, the 2014 Hobsons Bay Citizen of the Year, said that, as a start, the Esplanade could be closed between Bent and Pier streets where there were no houses.
While his idea garnered much support, not everyone took kindly to it.
One person commented on Facebook: “Just seems like a ridiculous idea when we have two massive grassy areas for people to enjoy – with shade from real trees and the opportunity to sit on real grass. Not to mention the traffic having to divert through residential streets to get around the closed section of road.”
PEOPLE ENJOYING THE YARRAVILLE POP-UP PARK
Another commented: “Yarraville doesn’t have a park or a beach so they opted for fake grass instead. We are spoilt for choice here, why change it?” Some suggested closing Pier Street between the Esplanade and Queen Street, which is believed to be a proposal under consideration by the council.
Deputy mayor Sandra Wilson commented on Facebook that Altona foreshore planning would happen this year, including consideration of the stretch between Queen Street and the Esplanade.
“Until we get to that stage, I can’t pre-empt what might happen, but all good ideas are welcomed,” she said.
