By Matthew Sims
Footscray MP Katie Hall has taken aim at two unoccupied and run down properties in Footscray, requesting Maribyrnong council look into ways to ensure unused land does not fall into disrepair.
In a letter to Maribyrnong councillors, Ms Hall requested the council investigate potential actions to ensure developers of key land holdings, such as Forges and the Little Saigon market, clean up their sites to allow council to utilise them.
“There are many examples of urban environments where these sorts of spaces are utilised in creative ways,” she said.
“Community gardens, special events like festival or pop-up stores and restaurants are just a few ways these types of sites are being used in other cities and I know council is supportive of these sorts of endeavours.”
Maribrynong council chief executive Celia Haddock said council recognised there are a number of derelict and vacant sites in central Footscray and had 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 pay 200 per cent of the residential rate, and 300 per cent if the site is commercial or industrial.”
Ms Haddock said council supported any review into planning laws to force developers to act upon building permits within a reasonable period of time.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, March 7, Ms Hall said the land banking, which is the practice of aggregating parcels of land for future sale or development, is at the “point of crisis”.
“The old Forges site and the Little Saigon market were once proud institutions and attractions for Footscray,” she said.
“Today they stand as ‘bomb sites’ in central Footscray.
“The community is entitled to a public realm that is clean, safe and well lit at a minimum.”
