The community has returned to Peter Lalor Walk after a revamp made it a safer and more welcoming place.
Representing Minister for Police Wade Noonan, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Ben Carroll congratulated Whittlesea City Council on revitalising the walk, which was paid for by a $230,000 Victorian Government grant.
The council was supported with funding to complete stage two of the redevelopment after an evaluation found that stage one led to more people using the area, and to locals thinking of it as much safer.
The project has created new lighting, paving, street furniture and the revamp of an overhead shelter between the rear laneway and May Rd.
Poor lighting and a 15m wall had made Peter Lalor Walk a target of graffiti vandals. To combat this, the council also received a $25,000 Graffiti Prevention and Removal Grant to install a mural along the empty wall.
As community support grew, one mosaic mural became four that celebrated the cultural history of Lalor – from the first people of the Wurundjeri Willum Clan to the culturally diverse place it is today.
The Wurundjeri Tribal Council, Wurundjeri Reconciliation Council, the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and historians from the Friends of Westgarth and the Peter Lalor Housing Cooperative all helped develop the murals’ themes.
Public safety is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to crime prevention, with a $5.8 million investment to support local communities prevent crime.
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary Ben Carroll
“New lighting, street furniture and murals will open up the walk and deter potential crime.’’
“The community can now feel safer using this space, making the area more enjoyable.’’
Quotes attributable to Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny
“Peter Lalor Walk is now a more inviting and energetic space thanks to the Whittlesea City Council and the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to crime prevention.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020