Jennifer Pittorino
Hobsons Bay council will seek feedback through a community consultation process on the permanent closure of the Altona Esplanade between Pier Street and Bent Street.
In a report, council officers set out a proposal to permanently close this section of the Esplanade, given the success of the seasonal closures with the local and broader public.
The report also said the closure of the Esplanade would “support and commence” the reconstruction of the street into a pedestrian space as part of the Altona Foreshore Redevelopment Project.
“This section of the Esplanade between Pier Street and Bent Street has been subject of seasonal closures and community consultation since 2018-19,” the council officers reported.
Following the community consultation process, councillors will receive a report detailing the results.
After receiving support from the community for the Esplanade closure, council officers applied for funding for the foreshore redevelopment including the permanent closure of the Esplanade.
Councillor Tony Briffa said she was pleased to see the state government investing in the popular Altona area.
“I love the Altona-Seaholme foreshore, and I want to see it get better and better,” she said.
“It is great to see the state government investing and supporting us with upgrades to the area, I think it’s going to be great.”
The road closure is one part of the Altona Foreshore Redevelopment Project, with stage one of the project due to commence in 2024-25.
Pending feedback from the community, council said it already has a contract in place to commence the works.
“That part of the contract is subject to the further decision of the council, which is subject to consultation with the community, so we haven’t preempted a decision,” Cr Briffa assured the community.
“We’re keeping an open mind, we’re getting feedback from the community, both for and against, with ideas and suggestions.”
Councillor Pamela Sutton-Legaud questioned why a contract was arranged prior to community consultation.
“I feel like there’s a contradiction between providing the contract and doing the consultation,” she said.
“It seems a little round the wrong way, so whilst I’m happy for it to go ahead, I can’t support the allocation of the contract at this point.”
All councillors voted in support of the motion besides Cr Sutton-Legaud.
