BY Shane Worrell
NEWPORT’S PAISLEY PARK is set for a $4 million facelift over the next 15 years.
The Hobsons Bay City Council adopted the Paisley Park Future Directions Plan after lengthy consultation with local interest groups.
Williamstown North Ward Councillor Peter Hemphill said the works would vastly improve the area.
“With soccer, lacrosse, golf and badminton, Paisley Park is one of Hobsons Bay’s premier recreation reserves and the community can be very excited that the new plans are going to make the park even better,” Cr Hemphill said.
“The works will allow sporting clubs to expand, improve access at park entrances and, through landscape works, will greatly enhance the park’s visual appeal.”
A community forum, consisting of sporting club representatives, neighbours, community groups and council representatives, was established to develop the future directions plan.
The spokesperson for the Save Paisley Park Action Group, Jason McHale, said the plan to rejuvenate the park was “a big win for the community”.
The move by council was also welcomed by the Paisley Park Residents Action Group.
Group spokesperson, Francis Nikora, said it had taken time but that she was very pleased with the outcome.
In February 2007 the council undertook a six-week community consultation program that guided the plan’s direction. The plan will be implemented over 15 years, but priority projects such as the construction of a new playground and picnic area near the Paisley housing estate already have funding set aside and will commence soon.
Cr Hemphill said the council had allocated $70,000 in the 2007-08 budget to begin work on the walking trail network and community forum consultation would continue.
“The council will also help the local clubs apply for government grants to achieve further development of their sporting facilities.”
Included in the improvements will be:
A MORE accessible and well landscaped park for local residents to enjoy casual, unstructured recreation, such as walking and picnicking;
THE creation of two picnic areas that will include playgrounds and barbecue facilities;
A NETWORK of walking and bicycle trails of varying circuit lengths throughout the park;
AN improved, safer entrance to the park with a new roundabout;
A BETTER road network to provide a single, tree-lined access road and an upgrading of car parking to improve park safety and amenity;
A YOUTH play area to be developed between Paisley Estate and Bayside Secondary College;
THE future relocation of the Altona North Bowling Club within the park to open up walking tracks in the eastern section;
DESIGNATING preferred sites for the future expansion of sporting facilities;
INCREASING tree plantings for shade and habitat.
