Hobsons Bay’s Maltese community has won a seven-year battle to build a carpark for its Altona East premises after the council last week voted in favour of the project.
The council will build a 29-space carpark at RJ Cooper Reserve, next to the Collins Avenue centre used by the Maltese Association Hobsons Bay.
The association had been unsuccessful for six consecutive years in its bid to secure carpark funding from the council budget. Finally, after heated lobbying from Maltese community members, the council resolved last July to investigate the parking demands and seek possible solutions.
The association collected 353 signatures on a petition supporting the carpark.
Fifty-three people signed another petition opposing the carpark, saying it may encourage hoons and cause disruptions to residents by people visiting the hall.
Association president Joe Attard said the club had about 500 financial members but only six carparking slots. He said support for the new carpark was “excellent” news as it was sorely needed for members using walking frames and those with disabilities who currently had to park far away. “It’s a breakthrough after seven years. We’re very pleased because winter is coming and we see the elderly people struggling.”
Goya Dmytryshchak
