Footscray Central Activities District: Footscray Renewal
In the Melbourne @ 5 million policy document released in December 2008, Footscray was announced as one of six Central Activities Districts (CADs). For more information please refer to the Melbourne @ 5 Million webpage.
The 2007-08 State Budget delivered $52.1 million for:
This funding is in addition to the $1.2 million already spent on upgrading the Nicholson Street Mall (Stage 1) and $500,000 for the redevelopment and completion of Maddern Square. Both projects have been delivered in partnership and with funding from the Maribyrnong City Council.
In recognition of Footscray’s metropolitan importance, and the major revitalisation initiatives funded under the State Budget, the Minister for Planning is the responsible authority from August 2007 for all major planning decisions in the town centre and station precinct.
For more information about the Footscray Renewal read the brochure:
Footscray Renewal Brochure - English (PDF - 1.5 MB) Footscray Renewal Brochure - Arabic (PDF - 1.6 MB) Footscray Renewal Brochure - Chinese (PDF - 1.7 MB) Footscray Renewal Brochure - Vietnamese (PDF - 1.7 MB)Latest News
Planning & Urban Design Framework
The Planning & Urban Design Framework, August 2009, for the Footscray Station Precinct was finalised and incorporated into the Maribyrnong Planning Scheme in September 2009. The Planning & Urban Design Framework provides built form and land use guidance for development sites within the Station Precinct.
Full Version - High Resolution:
Footscray Planning and Urban Design Framework - Full Version (PDF - 6.9 MB)Low Resolution:
Footscray Planning and Urban Design Framework - Part 1 (PDF - 1.8 MB) Footscray Planning and Urban Design Framework - Part 2 (PDF - 1.4 MB) Footscray Planning and Urban Design Framework - Part 3 (PDF - 1.6 MB) Footscray Planning and Urban Design Framework - Part 4 (PDF - 1.3 MB)Changes at Footscray Station
Preconstruction site clearing on the Irving Street or central Footscray side of the railway station commenced in January 2009. The Victorian Government has purchased all of the properties on the station side of Irving Street to make way for the new footbridge. Shops to the north-east of the walkway in Irving Street will be demolished for the start of construction of the footbridge.
Footscray Station Footbridge and forecourts
A new footbridge across the railway lines was identified by the Footscray community as a priority for improving the area.
Concept designs for the new Station footbridge and forecourts between the Station and Irving Street were released in September 2008 for public comment. Comments received were generally supportive of the concept design and provided useful feedback that will inform the detailed design.
The concept designs include:
- a new six metre wide footbridge that will cater for existing and future pedestrian flow
- lifts and stairs on the footbridge will provide better connections from/to central Footscray, station platforms and Maribyrnong River arts precinct
- footbridge features include lighting, weather protection canopies and CCTV
- new forecourts that create improved open public spaces around the Footscray Station
Footbridge and Forecourts Concept Designs Brochure - English (PDF - 501 KB) Footbridge and Forecourts Concept Designs Brochure - Amharic (PDF - 719 KB) Footbridge and Forecourts Concept Designs Brochure - Arabic (PDF - 748 KB) Footbridge and Forecourts Concept Designs Brochure - Chinese (PDF - 766 KB) Footbridge and Forecourts Concept Designs Brochure - Greek (PDF - 714 KB) Footbridge and Forecourts Concept Designs Brochure - Vietnamese (PDF - 715 KB)Concept Designs
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These concept drawings are indicative artist impressions only. The footbridge and forecourts are subject to further detailed design.
The details of the structure will be further refined during the design finalisation stage.
What will be affected by the work?
The new footbridge will be built next to the existing footbridge which will remain in place while the new one is being built. During construction some temporary access arrangements to the old footbridge will need to be used. Once complete, the old footbridge will be removed.
During demolition and construction activities every effort is being made to minimise disruption and inconvenience to commuters and the local community. A fence barrier erected around the former shops will enable demolition to be safely undertaken. Ten car parking spaces will also be removed. When footbridge construction commences more car parking spaces will become unavailable. Temporary car parking will be provided in other locations.
The demolition and the footbridge construction contractors have prepared an environmental management program to minimise the impacts of dust, noise, heavy traffic or machinery operations. Any important considerations will be communicated to the public in advance.
Irving Street Footscray
Who is doing this work?
Footscray Renewal is a joint Victorian Government and Maribyrnong City Council project. The Department of Transport is responsible for the demolition of the shops and the construction of the footbridge, and is using contractors for all major works. The Department of Planning & Community Development is responsible for the Footscray Renewal initiative and the development of Footscray as a Central Activities District (CAD) in partnership with the Maribyrnong City Council.
Projects so far
The footbridge is a priority project of the Footscray Renewal initiative, a partnership between the Victorian Government and Maribyrnong City Council to revitalise central Footscray through a number of infrastructure and urban design improvements. Projects so far include:
- an upgraded Maddern Square
- an upgraded Nicholson Street Mall
- stage one of Greening Footscray
- establishment of the One Stop Planning Shop in Nicholson Street
- development of strategic sites near the station for mixed residential and commercial uses that will provide a range of housing choices
- further stages of Greening Footscray
- further streetscape improvements
The demolition of the Irving Street shops north of the footbridge commenced in January 2009.
A contract for the design and tender of the footbridge is expected to be awarded in early 2009. Preparations for construction work will follow and construction is expected to be completed by mid 2010.
The forecourts will be constructed following completion of the footbridge and removal of the old footbridge structure.
More information about Footscray is available from the Footscray CAD contact, Maribyrnong City Council webpage or the One Stop Planning Shop, 92 Nicholson Street Mall, Footscray, ph: (03) 9091 5600. Information about the Footscray Footbridge progress can also be found on the Victorian Transport Plan website.
Background information
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