By Cameron Weston
A GROUP of Newport residents are calling on Hobsons Bay City Council to support their plan for a comprehensive redevelopment of Market St.
Newport resident Brendan Dowling said council must show “leadership, authority, determination and timeliness” in advocating on behalf of the local community.
Should the plan for Market St bear fruit, Mr Dowling said it would need the cooperation of the council, the State Government, railway companies including Connex and Pacific National, and oil companies like Shell, BP and Exxon Mobil, who all have infrastructure in the area.
“One reason the Market St precinct appears to have been neglected for so long is because of the numerous stakeholders in the area,” Mr Dowling said.
“We’re looking to the council for leadership, for authority and for decisiveness.
“The council should be representing our interests to all of the major stakeholders.
“We have drafted a plan that deals with car parking, road works, green space and community space and, by submitting this proposal, all the stakeholders are encouraging the council to look at options for the area.
“The issue is about the broader transformation of the area,” Mr Dowling said.
Phillip McDonald, director of works and assets with HBCC, said the council had responded positively to the community-driven plan.
“The group of residents and traders has been fairly active, and we’re happy to work with them.
“It has been a collaborative approach.
“We have incorporated a number of their thoughts and ideas.”
Mr McDonald said the council had already been in touch with railway companies to discuss plans to improve the unsealed car park along the street.
“By us having been in touch with VicTrack, they have brought forward the construction of the car park.”
Cr Peter Hemphill called a meeting last week to bring the council and the community together to discuss the plan.
He said the meeting followed one called in December last year “to kick off the proposal”.
He said Market St was “one of the worst streets in Newport”, and was in need of serious attention, particularly as since the rifle range development it had become a major thoroughfare between North Williamstown and the Newport railway station.
Cr Hemphill said members of the community had made a very positive contribution to the planning process.
“It’s fair to say this plan has been driven by residents and the council.
“It has been on our radar screen for a number of years, but should have probably been moved on a few years earlier.”
Darren Williams, president of the Hobsons Bay Community Arts Centre based at the substation in Market St, said council’s support was crucial for the redevelopment to succeed.
“Trying to get all the various authorities together is hard, and getting them to spend money is even harder.
“I would hope that the council will encourage all parties to come together to develop the whole precinct.
“What the council has done so far has been fantastic but, as our local representatives, I’d like to see them put a bit more pressure on the other stakeholders,” Mr Williams said. “Council would be in the ideal position to do this.”
