Cade Lucas
The Footscray Historical Society has welcomed Maribyrnong council’s recently released heritage strategy for the next decade.
The Heritage Strategy 2024-34 is designed to be a framework for the protection of Maribyrnong’s places of historical significance as well as a guide for council on dealing with heritage matters.
Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam said the recently endorsed strategy would bring an updated approach to heritage management, including a greater focus on Aboriginal cultural heritage across the municipality and adapting heritage sites for climate resilience and sustainability.
“Throughout this process, Council has remained focused on ensuring the new strategy best aligns with what our community wants for the future of our city,” Cr Lam said.
“From the feedback and input, several changes were made, including placing greater emphasis on building community understanding and participation in the conservation, appreciation and enhancement of our city’s heritage, and further recognising the work and role of local heritage organisations.”
The heritage strategy includes a number key objectives it aims to deliver on, including demonstrating best practice in the care of public heritage places, supporting those who care for and manage heritage places and continuing research and documentation.
Secretary of the Footscray Historical Society, Steven Wilson, expressed support for the strategy, but said the objectives lacked detail.
“They don’t seem to be tied down to any dates or timeline,” he said.
“Overall it’s a very good plan, they’ve done a good job. They’ve covered all the proper aspects of heritage.”
Mr Wilson said he was especially pleased the strategy included a commitment to better informing the public on heritage matters, arguing this had been neglected in the past.
“They haven’t really come out and explained to people what heritage is. It’s been on their website, but they haven’t actually taught people about the history and heritage of Footscray and Maribyrnong,” he said.
“Heritage is just not older buildings, but newer buildings too. It’s an ongoing social history of the area, not just physical history.”
The 2024-34 strategy was developed over more than two years and informed by feedback from local Indigenous and heritage organisations, including the Footscray Historical Society.
The strategy can be viewed at:
