By Goya Dmytryshchak
A touch of Brighton is coming to Altona, with colourful beach boxes being installed on the foreshore as part of a trial road closure starting next week.
Altona’s Esplanade will be closed to cars between Pier and Bent streets and turned into a piazza-style space from December 17 to early March.
Huts inspired by the Brighton beach boxes will be installed in Weaver Reserve.
Bikes will be allowed through on the path along the seawall, but Hobsons Bay council is asking cyclists to exercise caution and slow to walking pace.
Cr Sandra Wilson said the trial closure, adjacent to Altona Life Saving Club, was in response to safety concerns.
Cr Tony Briffa said the council had worked closely with the Altona Village Traders Association to develop events, market stalls, beach pop-ups and outdoor dining for the beach end of Pier Street during the closure
trial.
“Our residents and visitors will be able to utilise an oversized tennis table and other large games, street furniture, tree-planter boxes and some temporary beach box shelters complete with shade covers placed along Weaver Reserve, made especially for our community by the Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed Network,”
Cr Briffa said.
Residents are being urged to provide feedback during the trial via the council’s website.
For details about traffic and parking changes, visit hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/altonabeachprecinct.
