Hi Beach Lovers,
The redevelopment of the lifesaving club and west end of Williamstown Beach has been put on hold to allow for more consultation.
You can read about the redevelopment on the council's website here.
The published concept plans do NOT significantly increase the number of public toilets, changerooms or showers.
The toilets and the changerooms will still be located adjacent to Esplanade and The Kiosk, meaning you will be getting changed next to people eating their breakfast or in view of passing motorists.
If these concept plans proceed as proposed, beach goers will still be lining up for 30 minutes to use a dunny or a changeroom.
Hundreds of beach users have left comments on our petition. Here is just a few:
".. the lines are insane, and the facilities need serious improvements." Scott Miller
"I always end up changing my children out in the open because they are always occupied or disgusting." Jaime Flores
"I have lived in Williamstown for over 20 years, growing up and now bringing up my children there. I love the beach but we just need more changing and toilet block facilities." Grace Lethlean
"I swim there and don't even use the current facilities as they are so bad. Must be the most used beach for swimming in Victoria and has the worst facilities." Anthony Gallagher
"I swim and walk at Williamstown Beach and avoid using the showers and toilets, they are not good enough." Mim Forrest
"Current facilities are not acceptable. There is limited toileting and shower facilities for number of persons who frequent the beach. Shading is another feature very lacking. This effects some our most vulnerable ..." JS Coe
"We need better access to facilities that are clean, safe and functional, from a family with two kids who love going to the beach." Sonya Taylor
"Our favourite beach but facilities are really lacking." Stacey Macdonald
"The toilets there are truly gross!" Cameron Cook
"It’s very distressing having a rinse in front of others so that everyone can see in that open area. Lining up for 1/2 an hour to do so is ridiculous. What about the toilets 40 minutes on a hot summer day." Julie Papazisis
"Give the west the same facilities that other beaches of Melbourne enjoy!" Julia Soldaini
"I swim here several mornings a week, year round, and there is literally nothing near the Crystal Steps that provides any shelter or privacy, let alone toilet facilities." Rob Clancy
Other beaches have better facilities than Williamstown, yet this is one of the most popular swimming spots in Melbourne.
Now is the time to share our petition with your family and friends to call for a reasonable deal for all of us.
This $14.3 million project is funded by Victorian taxpayers ($11.3 million) and the ratepayers of Hobsons Bay ($3 million).
Please send/share/post this easy link to anyone you know who has been to Williamstown Beach and been (frankly) disgusted by the state of the public facilities:
https://www.change.org/WilliamstownBeachRedevelopment
Thanks,
Jason