Identifying the elements needed to ensure that Spotswood and South Kingsville become ‘greener’ with improved streetscapes, parklands, reserves and public spaces into the future.

Summary of key issues and opportunities gathered to date

Spotswood and South Kingsville have the lowest proportion of open space in Hobsons Bay. While there is limited land available for new open space, there are opportunities to improve connections and accessibility between the existing spaces. Further improvements may be delivered through the open space contributions framework as the area continues to develop.

The Hall Street Shared User Pathway and Federation Trail being delivered as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project will improve pedestrian and cyclist connectivity to the Stony Creek Reserve. Interest has been expressed for a new pocket park / public space along Hall Street that will be investigated further as part of Better Places process.

Edwards Reserve in South Kingsville and Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood are important sport and recreation asset for the local community. Donald McLean Reserve is currently being upgraded to provide the community with improved active and passive spaces to enjoy. Sport and recreation facilities to be shared use for community services could also be explored in future.

The Hobsons Bay Open Space Strategy identifies a number of actions for Spotswood and South Kingsville, including future upgrades of local parks and improved access to open space.

The Urban Forest Strategy for Hobsons Bay proposes greening of streets and public spaces to improve the amenity and character of the public domain. Implementation of this strategy will form part of future projects and set out clear timeframes for tree planting and greening of Spotswood and South Kingsville.

The riverfront parkland and facilities represent an underutilised public space that has the potential to be transformed into something more amenable

Key projects and initiatives

The following projects and initiatives should be considered due to their impact over public places and spaces:

1. Hall Street Shared User Pathway

• A new connection from the Federation Trail in Stony Creek Reserve along Hall Street to Hudson Road and Spotswood Station is being constructed as part of the Westgate Tunnel Project.
• For more information, visit https://westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/340159/Walking-and-cycling-fact-sheet-April-2018.pdf

2. Donald McLean Reserve Improvement Plan

• Improvements are underway to upgrade the sporting facilities and open space areas onsite.
• For more information, visit https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/donald-mclean-reserve-improvement-plan

3. Hobsons Bay Open Space Strategy

• This is the key document that guides the provision, planning, design and management of open space in Hobsons Bay.
• For more information, visit https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Council/Strategy-Planning/Policies-Strategies-Plans/Open-Spaces

4. Hobsons Bay Urban Forest Strategy

• For more information, visit https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/urbanforeststrategy

5. Proposed Gateway Artwork

• Council has a current grant application in the Westgate Neighbourhood Fund, Partnership Program to support the commissioning of public art near the ‘gateway’ sites at Melbourne Road and Donald McLean Reserve.

6. Cultural Heritage Street Signs

• Council’s cultural heritage street sign program enables us to find out more about the history of our city. Each year a group of street names is researched and up to twelve new signs are installed. For 2021, Council will work with local historians on street names in Spotswood. If you have interest in the program or streets to put forward, please contact arts@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au