By Molly Magennis
Construction is underway at a popular reserve in Altona North, thanks to partial funding from the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund.
G.J Hosken Reserve, located on Blackshaws Road and running alongside Kororoit Creek, will receive a series of major upgrades including a new adventure playground, fitness equipment, footpaths and park furniture and a multi-use court.
A barbeque and two new shelters will also be constructed, with a section of the western part of the reserve to be fenced off to create an off-lead dog park.
Construction is set to be completed by mid-year with a community celebration to be held on Sunday June 19 that will include a tree planting event and a free barbecue.
Hobsons Bay mayor Peter Hemphill said the reserve and the Kororoit Creek trail are already popular with families and residents, who enjoy installed sculptures by local artist Geoffrey Ricardo.
“Highlights of the jointly funded revamp include the new adventure playground and barbecue facilities which will create a wonderful meeting place and be an additional drawcard to this special area of Hobsons Bay,” he said.
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said not only will the West Gate Tunnel Project cut travel times, it will “[transform] the inner west with more open space and thousands of trees.”
“The investment in the area is huge, and it’s wonderful to see the benefits flowing on through the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund as we watch the transformation of GJ Hosken Reserve,” she said.
The project is jointly funded by the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund through the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek and Hobsons Bay City Council.
The Fund is a $10 million state government initiative which awards community groups and organisations near the West Gate Tunnel grants for improvements and upgrades.
