Residents are concerned about derelict and vacant sites around Footscray central business district, which have been undeveloped and neglected for over a decade.
The sites include the former Forges site, Little Saigon and Paint Spot.
Joseph Road Precinct Action Group (JRPAG) leader Samantha Meredith said Footscray was experiencing a decline.
And this situation may impact the community’s spirit and economic potential, Ms Meredith said.
Shoppers who pass by the former Forges site on Albert Street can see the building has been vandalised with graffiti all over it, she said.
“It looks really neglected and dark, and it’s now this huge large patch that pretty much encompasses a whole street in the centre of Footscray where there’s no action,” Ms Meredith said.
Ms Meredith compared the area with Yarraville.
“There’s just a huge difference. I remember jumping off the train in Yarraville and seeing people polishing the benches, which is wonderful. Yarraville has beautiful streets, and they’ve made the garden area near the Sun Theatre,” Ms Meredith said.
“But that level of work, I’ve never seen that in Footscray,” she said.
Footscray resident Leanne De Brun said she feels concerned about the Forges site, which has been vacant, untouched, and uncared for years now.
Both residents worry the prolonged neglect of these sites has discouraged new businesses from entering the area.
Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam said council recognises several derelict and vacant sites in central Footscray and has been working with developers to facilitate action on these sites.
“Three years ago, we revised our rating structure to increase the rates paid on vacant sites – across residential, commercial and industrial – as a deterrent,” she said.
Vacant site owners are forced to pay 200 per cent of the residential rate, and 300 per cent if the property is commercial or industrial.
“At present under council’s general purpose local law 2015, council has the ability to require land owners maintain their site in accordance to safety regulations. While we have limited powers beyond this, we support any proposed state government review into these planning laws, in particular requiring land owners to act upon building permits in a reasonable amount of time.”
