*All quotations are from Council documents, unless otherwise noted.
Finding Footscray & Defining Liveability
Plans for the betterment of Footscray must be anchored in an honest and transparent interrogation of the distinct needs, interests and varying aspirations across the community. The choice of policies and operational levers to effect housing development, employment and commercial patterns, services and other infrastructure, and environmental and social wellbeing, are determined by how we define liveability and who is included in conceptions of ‘community’.
Descriptions of Footscray as a “special place” with “rich culture”, “lots of energy” and “diversity”, should not be used to smokescreen real issues and challenges, and disguise policies which may only benefit a section of the population that lives, works, studies and plays in Footscray.
The fact that Footscray is “changing” is self-evident, but whether this change represents “exciting growth” is controversial, and does not in itself tell us much about how to “plan for its future”.
If liveability in Footscray is to be improved, it must start with a focus on existing inequities and a meaningful commitment to the role of local (and state) government in planning for equitable development, where urban growth ensures all residents — particularly marginalised groups — benefit from investment and have a voice in decision-making.
If planning is focused through the lens of the 20 percent of High Income Households, “liveability” becomes divisive, leaving behind the near 50 percent of Footscray who are Low and Medium Income Households, and endangering the cultural and social diversity that has defined the area.
A new Footscray Structure Plan needs to be anchored in clear perspectives about who benefits and how to scaffold just and equitable social outcomes.
What questions are people asking and what opinions are being voiced
This needs to start from listening to all voices and making a special effort to reach those that are not already empowered economically and in terms of their advocacy muscle. For many observers it sometimes seems like the only groups with a direct line into council are traders and developers.
The People’s Plan for Footscray started by bringing together many of those organisations and communities that have been working for a just and and more equitable Footscray, in many cases over decades.
Our conversations and data collection suggest that people are asking questions and raising opinions about Footscray that are deeply informed by the history of the area and the values of different communities. Some of the key questions include:
- What’s changed in Footscray over the years?
- What worries me about the future for Footscray?
- What excites me most about the future for Footscray?
- What community assets and social infrastructure do we have and value in Footscray?
- What are the equity and environmental issues, and social needs in the area?
Our community mapping, survey and conversations have highlighted some important views, issues, challenges and possibilities:
What’s seen as having changed and changing:
- Footscray is becoming more polarised: wealthier incomers and more precarious residents share space but not experiences.
- Housing pressures and land banking are eroding equity and trust in planning.
- Local vibrancy is declining due to business closures, cost of living pressures, and post-Covid social withdrawal.
- Social stress and stigma are rising, affecting the most marginalised.
- Governance feels uncertain, with reduced services and a sense of disconnection between Council and community.
- Yet there are green shoots: better transport, youth energy, cultural anchors, and a continued sense of belonging among former residents.
The overarching worries about Footscray are:
- Being priced out and pushed out by gentrification.
- Losing the multicultural, open, working-class soul of the suburb.
- Becoming a surveilled, unequal place defined by fear and exclusion.
- Government handing control to developers while community needs go unmet.
- Deepening crisis in mental health, homelessness and basic wellbeing.
- Loss of community spaces, services and shared life.
- Disconnection: people don’t know what’s going on or how to get involved.
People are enthused and excited by:
- The energy and creativity of young people.
- A strong culture of care, solidarity, and multicultural pride.
- Powerful First Nations history and growing visibility.
- Major physical assets that could be reclaimed by the community.
- A collaborative civic ‘ecosystem’ eager to try new models.
- Pride in local schools.
- A belief that Footscray is full of possibility—if ‘community voice’ leads.
People recognise Footscray’s assets and acknowledge their potential:
- Physical infrastructure & public spaces (market, station, parks, river, libraries).
- Community organisations & social infrastructure (Neighbourhood Houses, arts, cultural groups, grassroots collectives).
- People, culture & community energy (youth, multiculturalism, activism, neighbourliness).
- Small businesses & economic life (local traders, food culture, creative enterprises).
- Educational & cultural institutions (VU, schools, libraries, arts places).
- High-potential sites (old hospital, Little Saigon, Forges, the Mall etc.).
What views and opinions have been heard by the People’s Plan for Footscray suggest priorities that start from the historical strengths, good will and solidarity that has characterised the area for decades. These priorities can be summed up as:
- Activating under-used spaces for community, green, and cultural purposes.
- Harnessing youth and community energy to co-design programs.
- Fostering inclusive, multicultural spaces.
- A focus on affordable housing and social justice initiatives.
- Strengthening democratic participation, civic engagement, and involvement in planning.
Such priorities put an alternative perspective on the opportunities suggested by Council’s discussion paper.
Planning for amenity, economic activation and public realm improvements needs to occur through the lens of equitable development. This means a priority on policies, advocacy and investment that support those in most need, the majority of Footscray residents and current visitors. Rather than a set of policies and measures aiming to speed up the gentrification of the area, by changing its character.
OPPORTUNITY 1
“There is an opportunity to bolster central Footscray’s role as the premier fresh food retail and dining destination of the west. This could be achieved by promoting Footscray as a destination, supporting small businesses and attracting more anchor retailers.”
The idea of promoting Footscray as a premier destination, instead of a place to live, is grounded both in a choice about who should benefit and an illusion about economic development that proved successful in inner city areas in a different economic context.
A “premier” shopping-led improvement of Footscray may benefit the top 20% of High Income Earners and attract a few more visitors, but it will do very little for the majority of people who live in Footscray or those that currently visit many of the specialist, culturally identified traders, who will likely be forced to make way for the “premier” and “anchor” businesses.
Surely the object is not to clear Footscray of residents and visitors who can’t afford to spend the $500-$600 a week on dining and recreation spent by the top 30% [Australian average, ABS statistics].
Our take is that the regeneration of Footscray has to be based on principles of community wealth building, supporting those who live, study, work, and play here, by keeping as much as possible of the wealth circulating locally.
Advocacy for site activation should not be reduced to incentives to attract business. Site activation needs to prioritise housing, and employment and commerce that is tailored to the majority of people.
Housing Recommendations:
- Investigate ways to use local government policy and advocacy to prioritise land use for the construction of housing for low and medium income individuals and households;
- applying all possible disincentives to developments that target investment property growth, which puts upward pressure on private rents and pushes families out of Footscray.
- Explore ways of penalising landlords sitting on empty investment properties.
- Explore policies to alleviate rate costs on households experiencing mortgage stress.
Employment and Commerce Recommendations:
- Advocate for the state government to increase penalties on developers and landlords holding on to unused land and commercial properties.
- Investigate local government levers to effect similar penalties.
- Explore the potential to increase employment in health, social and community services, positioning Footscray as a hub for community health and wellbeing.
- Explore the potential to establish Footscray as a social enterprise shopping hub, curating products from mission-driven businesses; drawing on examples like the recycling mall Eskilstuna in Sweden, the UK Community Shop chain of social supermarkets that combats food poverty, and the NoordOogst in Amsterdam, housing circular businesses, sustainable food producers, and mission-led eateries.
OPPORTUNITY 2
“Transform the pedestrian experience of central Footscray by upgrading streets, providing alfresco dining opportunities and making sure new buildings allow sun into the streets.”
We welcome the reference to wider footpaths and improved lighting but considering such improvements in the framework of creating dining opportunities fails to capture the needs and potential.
Instead of buzzing streets with retailers and entertainment at premium prices, a focus on liveability for the majority needs to focus on a street life that supports community connection.
The People’s Plan for Footscray proposes the creation of a Superblock within the confines of the Irving, French, Donald and Moore Street ‘ring road’; limiting traffic access within the Superblock to delivery, residents’ and emergency vehicles and reducing speeds to under 15 Km/h.
The Superblock would prioritise pedestrians, cyclists, and community interaction: converting streets and parking spaces into pedestrian zones, bike lanes, and public squares; using permeable paving, trees, and plant boxes to reduce the urban heat island effect and improve biodiversity; creating streets that invite people out of their homes, fostering community engagement, safe (free) play spaces for children, and improved mental well-being.
This could be implemented by gradually rolling out low cost (and potentially reversible) measures like temporary street furniture and road paintings to test configurations.
OPPORTUNITY 3
“Connect and foster Footscray’s creative and cultural community by delivering a landmark new performing arts venue, a world class library and activating the riverfront.”
The focus here is not on improving liveability for the majority of residents and regular visitors in Footscray, but rather on replacing them with high income individuals and households who can afford “world class” facilities and entertainment.
The need to improve facilities is self-evident. However, this is more about expanding access than shiny new buildings, floating pontoons on the riverfront, or waterslides at the Aquatic Centre. This applies also to cultural facilities, where council would do much better to invest on supporting community programming than on new buildings.
Council should prioritise social infrastructure projects that extend and improve public access to facilities that can be enjoyed independent of commercial gain. Such a “commons-first” investment strategy would prioritise:
- New neighbourhood houses and community hubs.
- Expansion of access to library and learning spaces.
- More public parks and green corridors.
- Community-owned food and cultural facilities.
- Youth and multicultural community centres.
- Public housing community facilities
The underlying principle should be to provide social infrastructure that expands people’s capacity to participate in community life without requiring them to be consumers. In this way public space, culture, recreation, learning and social connection become rights of citizenship rather than products to be purchased.
OPPORTUNITY 4
“Ensure arrival into Footscray is welcoming, and safe and it is easy to move around in ways
that are cleaner and sustainable.”
Community safety has to be applied transparently and inclusively. It’s become a dominant narrative in local government to equate safety with the discomfort some people feel around homelessness and poverty and the impact of this on businesses.
Federal and state legislation create a positive duty for local government to work against discrimination, harassment and victimisation. These obligations are not limited to the responsibilities of local government under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, but also include anti-discrimination laws that prohibit local government treating community members unfairly or unjustly due to race, gender, disability and other individual circumstances.
A transparent and inclusive approach to community safety recognises that safety starts with access to housing and services that can support those in need, rather than with security and policing aimed at displacing “undesirables”.
If community safety is going to be inclusive and equitable, council should draw on global examples, such as Bogota’s Care Blocks, informed by gender equity principles. This means developing, funding and facilitating in Footscray a system of neighbourhood-based hubs that co-locate public services around social and health needs. Care Blocks bring services together within a 15–20-minute walk: childcare and eldercare, adult education, legal assistance, mental health support, and job training all in one site [Obaid Khan, January 22, 2026]. This requires a deeper shift in how urban planning is understood, centring care, and those who provide it, as a fundamental organising principle; working with partners to establish a strategic number of hubs that integrate social, health and educational services, including provision for health and psychosocial support, physical exercise and sports, subsidised childcare for students and essential workers in Footscray.
Creating public spaces designed for connection, rest and cultural expression, can fundamentally transform community wellbeing and safety.
OPPORTUNITY 5
“Create more public spaces in key locations that are shaded and include nature for people to relax, gather and enjoy Footscray.”
We are pleased to see ideas such as the greening of laneways, but believe that there is both need and potential to take a much more ambitious approach to greening the city.
In general, the sprinkling of mini parks and pop-up parks seems to be aligned more with supporting small business trade, rather than integral greening and the provision of public space.
A more ambitious approach would align environmental need with food provision, the development of small-scale urban farms and community gardens, along with new public spaces with facilities connecting people and providing leisure opportunities.
Council should explore the type of ambitious programs successful in cities such as Medellín, where “green corridors” transformed roads into networks of shaded routes, replacing heat-trapping concrete with vegetation and fundamentally impacting on city climate and air quality. The millions of dollars required for such ambitious programs could be diverted from budget allocations and grants for proposed new buildings and renovations over the coming years.
OPPORTUNITY 6
“Transform under-used sites in central Footscray into places that attract people, improve public amenity and boost Footscray’s economy.”
Much of the potential job growth in the Footscray area involves growth in health and community services. By and large, essential workers in these sectors cannot afford to live in the area. These are exactly the sort of issues that equitable development plans for.
“Boosting the local economy” needs to be redefined in terms of equitable development, otherwise the default becomes the prioritisation of property values and private investment, over social needs, democratic control, and collective wellbeing. This default setting has been typical of local government for decades, competing in a zero-sum game for businesses, tourists, and skilled workers, supporting large-scale property development and so-called urban renewal, promoting “creative city” and innovation agendas, and privatising public assets and services.
The assumption that economic benefits will “trickle down” to local communities has proven increasingly hollow.
Instead, we need to ask questions like:
- Who benefits from growth?
- Who is displaced?
- What social needs remain unmet?
What is the point of trying to turn Footscray into a shiny smart city, if the majority continues to suffer housing stress, low-paid and insecure work, and reduced access to public space? Economic growth and gentrification are not synonymous with wellbeing.
The examples of the inner north in Melbourne illustrate how “revitalisation” can benefit developers while making neighbourhoods less accessible to working-class communities: displacing lower-income residents; pushing out local businesses; reducing cultural diversity; and destroying long-standing community networks.
Instead of infrastructure built for private developments, stadiums for elite sports, and luxury urban renewal projects, Footscray needs investment in public housing, libraries, parks, and community services.
OPPORTUNITY 7
“Position Footscray as a magnet for jobs and business, building on its great transport links and local culture so it can become an employment hub in inner Melbourne.”
The basic assumption underpinning council projections is that vibrant communities emerge through shopping districts, entertainment precincts, tourism and hospitality spending. However, many of the activities that build social connection occur outside the market: neighbourhood houses, public libraries, community gardens, community sports, parks, public housing communities, social enterprises, educational communities. These spaces generate social value even when, indeed because, they generate little or no profit.
Footscray is already a major and rapidly growing employment hub for health and community services, industries where much of the job growth is based on low wages [ABS statistics]. Few of these workers will be able to live in the City of Maribyrnong’s increasingly unaffordable housing market.
We should be thinking about these workers – many in essential services, such as the new Footscray Hospital – as potential residents, not simply consumers. Council could be innovative and, for example, consider partnerships with the state government and use underutilised council parking land at Raleigh and Albert Streets to provide public housing for essential workers.
We need this sort of thinking, rather than promoting ideas like increasing office space for undetermined businesses or where the need is unproven for high paid professionals working from home.
A diverse and vibrant community is not built around shopping, especially in the contemporary context of online shopping and large shopping centres, and given the specificities of Footscray’s location. Footscray needs to be reimagined as a gathering place, with education, welfare, leisure, and cultural and language exchange as the beating heart. Such vision and values suggest a strategic plan that ‘slows’ Footscray down – downgrading the ‘fast city’ elements and enhancing those that promote community exchange.
Opportunity 8
“Deliver well designed apartment buildings that provide good quality homes and respect Footscray’s streets, open spaces and character.”
The 2021 census placed one in five dwellings in Footscray as empty. This figure is now likely to be greater. Housing is fundamentally a cost of living problem, and not one of supply but of distribution, in Footscray and Melbourne wide. The primary issue is affordability. The current median weekly rent in Footscray is approximately $630 for houses and $530 for units. In comparison, in 2016 the overall median rent across all private dwellings in Footscray was just $310 per week [ABS].
At this rate Footscray will become an exclusive suburb in a decade. In this context, council needs to be transparent about what its policies and structure plans are aimed at achieving.
Good quality homes are not the same thing as expensive houses. According to real estate industry figures, over the past decade, Footscray house prices have increased by some 70% to 80%, with the median house price rising from around $550,000 in 2016 to around one million.
Council should not be encouraging these trends in the housing market, but rather advocating to state government and exploring policy levers of its own that aim at providing homes for ordinary working families.
Where to from here
The logic of the ‘Big Ideas’ in council’s Opportunities Paper would result in the future of Footscray largely excluding medium and low income families and individuals, as residents or visitors. Instead of equitable planning, the Paper’s focus is on supporting patterns of gentrification that will recreate the patterns of exclusion typical of many other inner city neighbourhoods, in Melbourne, Australia-wide and globally.
In place of a planning strategy that seeks to incentivise commercial interests and development patterns that will tailor for the top third of income earners, the People’s Plan for Footscray proposes ‘Big Ideas’ that promote Footscray as a neighbourhood of care and community.
A big idea to drive change
Council should purchase the Old Saigon Market site (or similar) and invest in the establishment of a community hub. Community organisations could be supported by grants and the land use provided on a decades long lease. This could be funded by a similar financial arrangement as was the case for the refurbishment of the Maribyrnong Town Hall, and for plans around Creative West, the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre and the controversial McIvor Reserve stadium.
Council needs to be transparent about the funding expectations and needs being catered for in spending on such ‘catalyst’ projects as a ”landmark new performing arts venue, a world class library and activating the riverfront”, instead of funding projects that facilitate quality of life for all residents.
Investing in such a hub for community organisations and mission-driven businesses could be the key catalyst Footscray needs to repurpose its rich history to help meet contemporary challenges: energising and empowering existing community and social infrastructure and strengthening civic engagement and democratic participation.
Going forward we hope the council’s plans for Footscray are subject to a genuinely democratic community wide conversation, including town hall meetings and authentic involvement of community organisations.
Photo from children’s SuperBlock activity Angliss Neighbourhood House annual Winter Lantern Gathering June 23, 2026…
