The future cultural heart of Melbourne’s west is one step closer, with Maribyrnong City Council unveiling the first concept designs for Creative West – a connected, creative precinct that will revitalise Footscray, enrich community life and strengthen creative industries across Melbourne’s west.
Set on the site of the current Footscray Library and adjacent car park, Creative West will bring together a contemporary library, performing arts venue and town park to create a welcoming home base for learning, creativity, culture and connection.
Designed with community
The concept design has been shaped by extensive local insights and refined through co-design with diverse community members and Wurundjeri aunties.
More than 1,100 community responses, deep conversations across 19 focus groups and the insights of a 27-member Community Voice Co-design Group helped test and refine the concept design so it reflects community needs, aspirations and Footscray’s multicultural richness.
Design snapshot
- A contemporary library with flexible spaces to read, work, create and connect.
- A large, welcoming foyer at the heart of the building, designed as a home base for the community.
- An adaptable 500-plus seat theatre with a thrust stage, bringing audiences closer to performance.
- A smaller studio space for rehearsal, experimentation and intimate works.
- A dedicated children’s level with spaces for learning, creativity and discovery
- A new town park with shade, seating, a gently sloping lawn and flexible space for everyday use, events and performances.
- Improved connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, nearby laneways and the wider Footscray civic heart.
The design and planning phase of Creative West received $5 million from the Australian Government under the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, with funding matched by Maribyrnong City Council.
The Dream Wall: a growing public installation for Creative West
Residents are invited to continue showing their support by sharing a dream for the cultural precinct on the Creative West Dream Wall. Each dream shared for Creative West will become part of a growing public installation at Footscray Library, demonstrating strong local support for a cultural precinct shaped by our community.
To view the concept designs and share your dream for Creative West, visit the Creative West project page or drop into Footscray Library.
yourcityyourvoice.com.au/cw
Save the date for Creative West Friday Nights
Creative West Nights will light up the Footscray Library courtyard with music and entertainment across four Friday nights. Showcasing Footscray’s creative potential and future vibrant night-time economy, the series offers a taste of the energy, connection and cultural life Creative West could bring to the heart of the CBD.
28 August 2026: Creative West: Footscray Unplugged
4 September 2026: Creative West: Words by Candlelight
11 September 2026: Creative West: Afrobeat Live
18 September 2026: Creative West: Footscray Comedy Roast
Friday nights 6pm to 9pm
