Hobsons Bay councillors unanimously voted to receive a new petition requesting council upgrade the public facilities in the Williamstown beach precinct.
The electronic petition contained 940 signatories, and asked that council both receive this petition and receive a further report on this matter at a future council meeting.
Cr Jonathon Marsden said Williamstown beach is due for an upgrade like its counterpart Altona.
“This is a timely petition, there needs to be facilities so people can use the beach and enjoy hot showers and clean and available toilet facilities, the whole place needs a facelift,” he said.
The petition reads that the Williamstown beach precinct is being redeveloped by Hobsons Bay council at a cost of more than $14 million.
Hundreds of swimmers use the beach and the public facilities every day and despite being one of Melbourne’s most popular swimming beaches, the showers, the toilets and the areas where swimmers meet are sub-standard, crowded and no longer fit for purpose.
Other beaches feature windbreaks, lockers and public change rooms for swimmers (Port Melbourne), hot baths (St Kilda), steam rooms (Brighton) and meeting and gathering spaces close to the shore.
The petition asks for upgraded showers, toilets, change-rooms and public facilities for swimmers that are well away from the outdoor dining area of The Kiosk and preferably closer to the beach and meeting places / gathering spaces with shelter, shade and wind breaks for the public at the western end of Williamstown Beach.
Jennifer Pittorno
