Footscray MP Katie Hall believes Footscray needs some love, which is why she created a petition to Maribyrnong council asking it to clean landholdings in Footscray’s central business district (CBD).
“For too long, numerous landholdings in Footscray’s CBD have been ‘bomb sites’ with properties and permits changing hands and being renewed,” the petition stated.
“Meanwhile, the developers have done nothing to improve the sites.”
The landholdings Ms Hall is referring to include Forges and Little Saigon, two areas she refers to as proud institutions and attractions for Footscray.
“Ultimately these sites will need to be demolished for the permits to proceed and I have called on these landowners in Parliament to complete this basic but important work to improve safety and urban design in the centre of Footscray,” she said.
“If the sites were cleared, it would allow council to activate them in a way that could be beneficial to the community, such as parks, a temporary marketplace, or creative spaces.”
Ms Hall said she wrote to Maribyrnong chief executive Celia Haddock and councillors to investigate what planning controls can be used to force some action.
“The community is entitled to a public realm that is clean, safe and well-lit at a minimum,” Ms Hall said.
“If the owners of these sites are going to sit on permits for years, they should be required to clean the sites up and work with council on providing a public realm improvement in the interim.”
Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam said council recognises there are a number of derelict and vacant sites in central Footscray as where developers have not yet commenced construction.
“Council does what it can within its legislative powers to facilitate development of these sites, including refusing extensions to existing permits, noting that such refusals can be appealed by applicants through VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal),” she said.
“Council has been working with developers to facilitate action on these sites, including investigating opportunities for temporary activations.
“Council would welcome the opportunity to work with the state government to accelerate their planning for central Footscray, which they have identified as a priority precinct.”
