Williamstown Foreshore Strategic Plan 2010 - Parks Victoria

3.2.1 Description and characteristicsof Precinct One: Stony Creek andYarra FrontageThis Precinct commences north of the West Gate Bridgeand continues south to Newport Park. This area is generallybounded by the Yarra River to the east, industrial areas to thenorth and parkland and industrial areas to the west. StonyCreek Park (which includes the Backwash and WestgateMemorial Park) is managed by Parks Victoria and is a significantenvironmental reserve, demonstrating the wetland habitatthat was historically a feature of this area. The Stony CreekFriends Group is actively involved in this area. Elements such asthe Mobil Oil Terminal, Port operations, West Gate Bridge andpipelines provide an industrial backdrop to the wetlands.Underneath the West Gate Bridge is located a memorial siteacknowledging those who died in the 1970 bridge collapse.Landscaping around the memorial is more formal than thesurrounding wetlands.The rest of this Precinct, south of Stony Creek Park is known asRiverside Park, which is an open grassland area situated alongthe Yarra River and has land managed by Hobsons Bay CityCouncil and the Port of Melbourne Corporation. Within thisarea, Mobil has several pipelines, ‘Y’ cages and bunker jettiesthat impede access to the River. Hobsons Bay City Council andPort of Melbourne Corporation need to consider the pipelineinfrastructure when proposing to undertake any development,so as to not prevent access to these pipes. Riverside Park is wellused by pedestrians, dog walkers and cyclists, particularly alongthe shared trail that runs through this section of the foreshore.An on-road bike path also exists along the western boundaryof the Precinct, on Douglas Parade. The foreshore edge is apopular spot for people fishing along the banks of the YarraRiver. This Precinct also links to Digman Reserve and forms partof the identified Hobsons Bay Newport Park Sporting Precinct.The Precinct is an important passive and active recreation areafor residents and visitors, as well as providing an importantwetland habitat within a significant environmental reserve withhigh flora and fauna values.3.2.2 Community aspirationsThe community/stakeholder consultation highlighted thefollowing aspirations for this Precinct:• Improved environmental quality of the area, particularlyat Stony Creek Park – remove rubbish; continue withrevegetation works.• Enhanced pedestrian/bike trail.• Enhanced views.• Increased services at The Punt.• Pedestrian link from The Punt to Scienceworks Museum.• Improved signage – highlight Bay Trail commencement;historical/interpretive signage.Another important characteristic impacting on this Precinct isthe Scienceworks Museum, which is a State Tourism Attractionthat attracts more than 350,000 people per year. This Museumis situated adjacent to the study area boundary to the west andis located within the largely industrial area that adjoins PrecinctOne. Douglas Parade separates access between the foreshoreand the western part of the municipality, given the significantvolume of traffic using the road. The Punt, which is locatedadjacent to the Museum, provides a part-time service for cyclistsand pedestrians to get from one side of the Yarra River to theother. The Spotswood railway station is located approximately800 metres away.14