Hobsons Bay residents are being encouraged to have their say on a plan to “future-proof” one of the municipality’s most popular recreation spaces – Newport Lakes.
Developed in collaboration with the Friends of Newport Lakes, the council’s draft Conservation and Development Plan for Newport Lakes aims to guide strategic planning, management actions and capital works priorities over the next 10 years.
The draft plan aims to balance the many different uses of the park and to articulate how the park should look and function into the future.
Some of the key objectives of the plan include identifying ways to improve the water quality in the lakes, improve vegetation and encourage biodiversity, renew and improve recreational infrastructure, upgrade visitor facilities and undertake park improvements
The draft plan also includes consideration to develop a new destination nature play space at Pavey Park. Consultation for the play space design will take place in 2022.
Mayor Jonathon Marsden said the council was keen to hear the community’s thoughts on the actions, priorities and vision articulated in the draft plan.
“Built on the site of a former bluestone quarry and landfill area, Newport Lakes is a bushland oasis in the heart of suburbia. With the increasing population of Newport, Altona North and South Kingsville, Newport Lakes is set to become an even more popular destination for local residents seeking to walk, play or picnic.
“This draft plan seeks to secure the future of this very special place – to build the infrastructure required for the community while retaining the cultural and environmental values which make this place so special.”
Residents can have their say on the draft plan until Sunday, October 31 via participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/newport-lakes.
Council is also hosting two online information sessions on Wednesday, October 27 from 6pm-7.30pm and Saturday, October 30, from 11am to noon. Register via participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/newport-lakes.
