A plan to transform Footscray into a hub for business, innovation and creativity has been released by the state government.
The Footscray Opportunity and Direction Paper, which was released by the government last week, identifies opportunities in the precinct including for investment and partnerships to grow jobs.
The government believes the precinct can become the gateway to Melbourne’s west.
The paper was developed after extensive consultation with stakeholders including the Maribyrnong City Council, Western Health, Victoria University, the Footscray Traders Association and the Footscray Asian Business Association.
It follows recent state government investment in the new Footscray Hospital ( $1.5 billion), the Footscray Learning Precinct (more than $120 million) and the redevelopment of Whitten Oval ($36.6 million).
The government said Footscray is predicted to more than double its population and add more than 10,000 new jobs by 2050. Between 2006 and 2016, Footscray’s population grew by 40 per cent.
Business Precincts Minister Martin Pakula said that due to its rapid growth, Footscray is steadily shifting to new small-scale manufacturing and becoming a health and education powerhouse.
“From a manufacturing heartland to a centre for health, education and other growth sectors, the game is changing quickly in Footscray,“ he said.
“We’re planning for the future because it means more local jobs for the growing population of Melbourne’s west.”
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said: “It is great to see this level of interest and investment in Footscray, which is undergoing rapid change with many new developments including a new hospital and learning precinct under construction“.
Details: djpr.vic.gov.au/significant-projects.
