march 2023
In March 2023, I wrote to Maribyrnong Council and our councillors to ask them to investigate what planning controls can be used to force some action for the unused and landbanked sites around the Footscay CBD.
Alongside writing to the council and councillors, I launched a petition asking local residents to point out sites around the Footscray CBD that were derelict or being landbanked. This petition received well over 200 responses, showing that our community has had enough of land banking and wants to see Footscray’s CBD revitalised
april 2023
In April 2023, I invited the Minister for Planning, Sonja Kilkenny MP, to Footscray. I took the Minister on a walking tour of Footscray, visiting the numerous derelict and land-banked sites. Councillor Carter and Maribyrnong Council CEO Celia Haddock also accompanied the minister on the tour.
We used this visit to provide concrete examples to the Minister of what has gone wrong in Footscray and to have a conversation between the Minister and Council about what needs to be done and how it can be achieved.
June & July 2023
Our pressure was beginning to work! The site of Little Saigon, which sadly burned down in 2016, had been cleared by the landowners, and the site of Paint Spot on the corner of Buckly and Albert Street had also been cleared of its derlict remains.
August 2023 - March 2024
Starting in late 2023 I have been in contact with the Footscray Traders Association, we have regular meetings to discuss what can be done to help uplift the Footscray CBD.
Throughout this time I was able to secure funding to help beautify the Footscray CBD through the painting of numerous muruals. These muruals have added much needed colour and spark back to our loved CBD.
Through the regular communication with the Footscray Traders Association, Maribyrnong Council, and myself we were able to agree on daily cleaning operations in the Nicholson Street Mall.
may 2024
In May 2024, Councillor Cuc Lam and I met with the owners of Viet Hot Pot on the corner of Barkly and Moore Street. The restaurant was sadly burned down earlier in 2023 and is now sitting vacant and derelict.
In this meeting, we discussed how the Council and State Government can provide support to help clear the land to rebuild.
June 2024
Earlier in 2024, I wrote to the owners of the former Forges site to ask what their plans were for the derelict site. In June, the owners of the site, The Branco Group, got back to me and asked to set up a meeting.
I met with the Branco group in June 2024, and they gave me a tour of their most recent development on Nicholson Street in Brunswick. On this tour, we spoke about getting started on the former Forges site as a matter of urgency.
More to come.