On National Tree Day on Sunday 26 July, Toyota Australia made an exciting announcement about Toyota’s legacy project for the Hobsons Bay community.

Toyota Australia has committed to fund $1.8 million towards the immediate construction of around 2km of a proposed 7.5km shared trail for pedestrians and cyclists.

The trail along Kororoit Creek will eventually connect the Coastal Trail at Cherry Lake, Altona, with the Federation Trail in Brooklyn.

Hobsons Bay City Council Mayor Colleen Gates said the trail will be a lasting legacy for Toyota Australia in Melbourne’s West.

“The trail will enhance and promote the creek’s natural environment, which has been revitalised over the past 10 years with a lot of hard work by the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek,” said the Mayor.

“Funding partnerships such as the one we have struck with Toyota Australia will be vital to completing the full 7.5km of the trail over the next decade.

“The trail will also importantly deliver $4.2 million of added value to the local economy per year and will create up to 112 local jobs.”

With its plant located adjacent to Kororoit Creek, Toyota Australia is a long-time employer in Hobsons Bay and has provided ongoing support to the community of Hobsons Bay.

Toyota Australia President Dave Buttner said contributing to the Kororoit Creek Shared Trail is a great legacy to leave once Toyota’s manufacturing operations cease in 2017.  

“Toyota values its partnership with the local community in Hobsons Bay, which dates back to 1977,” Mr Buttner said.

“We are pleased to leave this legacy for Hobsons Bay, a community that has given us so much over the years.”

Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek President Geoff Mitchelmore said the project will rejuvenate the local area and will complement the existing Kororoit Creek Nature Reserve.

“This reserve has brought countless birds back to the Altona North environmental corridor and added another dimension to the Hobson’s Bay environment,” he said.

“The stretch of Kororoit Creek within Altona North stands out as an example of what can be achieved when the community and business work together to improve the environment.”

Toyota Australia’s contribution will allow Hobsons Bay City Council to kick-start the project - and Council will be seeking funding from other levels of government to help complete further stages of the trail over the next decade.

Toyota Australia is a major sponsor of Planet Ark Tree Day across Australia and has worked with the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek for many years.