About Us

Our History

Better West Incorporated acknowledges the people of Yalukit Wilum of the Boon Wurrung Country that makes up the Greater Kulin Nation, traditional owners of lands currently within Hobsons Bay City Council boundary areas.

Better West is a residents group, formed to address issues emerging in Spotswood, South Kingsville, Newport and Altona North. We were established in 2016 when the community was asked to respond to concept designs for the Western Distributor Project. The Western Distributor Project was a market-led proposal to the Victorian Government by Transurban and followed the cancellation of the East West Link project and the 2014 state election.

In September 2016, a group of residents formed the incorporated association Spotswood South Kingsville Residents Group Inc (SSKRG) to formalise our group structure and to nominate a representative on the Western Distributor Community Liaison Group. 

Our purpose is to advocate for the public health of residents of the western suburbs of Melbourne and the preservation and protection of the environmental, cultural and social amenity of the area. In 2020, we decided to change our name to “Better West” to allow membership from residents of surrounding areas who share the history and issues being experienced by Spotswood and South Kingsville.

Governance

We hold an annual general meeting at the end of each financial year to elect a committee who represent neighbourhood areas of the suburbs and report on finances and activities.

We have monthly get togethers on third Monday of each month open to members and non members either in person or by Zoom. Venues, times and agenda items are sent to members by email and via Facebook event.  We run the Spotswood South Kingsville Residents Facebook Group, and Altona North Resident Group is linked the Better West Facebook page.