The work is part of stage one of the Hilton Park Precinct Masterplan, which was adopted by Council in October 2024, after a comprehensive visioning exercise with the community.
In getting the site ready for renewal, asbestos-containing material was discovered inside the mounds of earth near the Walton Way / Carrington Street corner.
The City has engaged a licensed contractor to remove the asbestos according to regulations. Nearby residents will be notified via a letterbox drop, and the work area will be securely fenced off with the appropriate signage while removal works are underway.
Removing the asbestos is an important step in creating a safer and more usable park for the community. It will also help prepare the site for future improvements identified through the master planning process.
For the asbestos to be extracted, up to 16 trees in the affected area will need to be removed first. The majority are Peppermint trees, but there are also six Norfolk Island Pines. An ecological assessment has confirmed that no high-value trees will be affected by this removal.
However, as per the Council Policy, the City will plant at least two new trees for every one removed. It will also install a couple of bird watering stations to offset the loss.
While work is underway, the nearby toilet block, basketball court and a section of the bike path will be inaccessible to the community. The City appreciates everyone's understanding during this period, which is expected to be around 3-4 weeks.
This project is being funded, using part of a $3.75 million federal government grant, which also includes the refurbishment of the Brad Hardie Pavilion, which is currently underway.
Other improvements to Hilton Park North, as guided by the Masterplan, include a new senior football oval, cricket nets, a pump track and other recreational areas.
