By Matthew Sims
What was once an icon of Footscray’s Nicholson Street shopping precinct has become a shell of its former self.
The Little Saigon Supermarket burnt down in December 2016 and despite the proposal of a redevelopment at the site, the burnt structure remains in place behind hoarding.
Footscray MP Katie Hall has launched a petition to gain support for her campaign against a number of landholdings in Footscray sitting dormant, including the old Little Saigon Supermarket and Forges sites.
“For too long, numerous landholdings in Footscray’s CBD have been ‘bomb sites’ with properties and permits changing hands and being renewed,” she said.
“Meanwhile, the developers have done nothing to improve the sites.
“This has an impact on the whole of Footscray’s CBD.”
In a letter addressed to Maribyrnong councillors sent last month, Ms Hall requested the council investigate potential actions to ensure developers of key landholdings clean up their sites to allow council to utilise them.
Ms Hall said she was grateful for all of the support she had received so far and has had fruitful discussions with Maribyrnong council.
“I will keep everyone informed of any updates and have had very productive discussions with (Maribyrnong) mayor Sarah Carter about what we can do together to create change,” she said.
“Footscray needs some love.
“Planning laws can and should work with the community and public realm at its heart.”
Ms Hall’s Facebook posts on the matter have attracted a number of responses from locals, including posts highlighting other dormant sites in need of development, including Paint Spot, Ryco, the Nick Belgravia Hotel and 59 Buckley Street in Seddon.
Ms Hall said there were opportunities for the state government to support the activations of large landholdings to continue improving Footscray’s livability.
“The new Footscray Hospital, funding for the Footscray Learning Precinct and a major upgrade to Footscray Community Arts by the Victorian Government represent a significant investment into Footscray as a precinct,” she said.
“At a time where we are collectively focussed on improving liveability in Footscray these large land holdings represent a great opportunity.
“I would strongly support any efforts to ‘focus on Footscray’ and the activation of these large landholdings would make a huge difference.”
Details: www.katiehallmp.com.au/campaign/time-to-clean-up-the-footscray-cbd
