By Elwyn Davies
An inaugural meeting of the Future Footscray Steering Group took place at Victoria University recently. I was fortunate enough to be invited as a guest community representative.
I, like many others locally, have been concerned and upset at the problems Footscray has been facing. It is confronting at times for visitors and shopkeepers. Footscray seems to be facing several significant issues concurrently. The many empty retail spaces and undeveloped sites like Forges and Little Saigon are not adding to the appeal.
The steering group plans to bring together interested and invested groups and individuals to work collaboratively to advocate for the Footscray community.
In attendance were representatives from Western Health, Maribyrnong Council, Footscray Arts Centre, Footscray Traders Associations, Federal Member for Fraser Daniel Mulino, Katie Hall, State Member for Footscray, and a guest community representative. The first discussions were about the aim of the group and the opportunities to work collaboratively. There will also be opportunities to invite further community representatives for their input.
No single organisation, be it council, business associations, government or the private sector can help alleviate Footscray’s problems. The Footscray CBD particularly, which all attendees recognised, is currently facing significant issues.
The formation of the steering group was an initiative of Katie Hall’s office. Ongoing, it will be chaired by Stephen Sully, who many might know as an experienced urban planner. It will be an independent group.
In June of this year an EOI was put on social media for individuals living locally who have interests and skills in urban planning, landscaping, and business activation to make an application to contribute to the working group. The response was significant from the community, with over fifty people registering their interest. It is great to see so many people who want to contribute their ideas and skills.
It was envisaged there will be two community workshops annually to gather input, and then feed back into the steering group.
There was agreement on broadening the steering group membership in future, with potential to include government precinct representatives, welfare organisations and [CBD] property owners.
It is just the start of a journey that all areas of the community need to take together, to make the most of what we all love about where we live and work.
I came away from the meeting realising that there is a long way to go, but also feeling positive that there is a strong desire from those in the room to work together, now, and in the future.
