Max Westwood
Maribyrnong council will advocate for the existing Footscray Hospital site to be handed over to council once services move to the new hospital.
The majority of the existing hospital site is expected to be vacant by 2026.
The existing site is mostly owned by the state government, with council owning 1.5 hectares of the southern car park.
The state government is currently assessing the site to understand how to best deliver for current and emerging community needs.
Councillors adopted council’s vision for the site at a council meeting on June 18, calling for the state government to give the site to council – at least in part – for community uses.
The council’s vision include a 3.5 hectare municipal park, a minimum of 30 per cent affordable and social housing and a well connected street network.
Councillor Simon Crawford said the community had helped shaped the proposal by providing feedback on council’s draft vision for the site.
“We know that this is something that local residents, probably all Maribyrnong residents, but particularly local residents are very passionate about. We had the group come and talk to us a few months back about their proposal that they have developed with the local community,” he said.
“That’s really had an impact on the plan we are putting forward.”
Mayor Cuc Lam will write to Premier Jacinta Allan, Footscray MP Katie Hall and western metropolitan region MPs seeking meetings to discuss council’s vision for the site.
“I think we have come up with a good plan and I am hoping that the state will take it very seriously, but the ball is in their court now and we’ll see what they come back with,” Cr Crawford said.
