City of Maribyrnong councillors agreed last Tuesday to increase development in the suburb as suggested in council’s recently released Footscray Skyline Study.
The study examined the potential for taller buildings and higher density development in a one-kilometre radius around the Footscray railway station.
Nicholson, Barkly and Paisly streets were all included.
Mayor Janet Rice said the study looked at developing Footscray as part of a bigger picture that fitted in the State Government’s Melbourne 2030 and Transit Cities initiatives.
“Melbourne is growing, and it is much better to increase housing in areas that have infrastructure and public services rather than on the urban fringe, where there are less services,” she said.
Residents raised concerns that heritage buildings might be compromised, or overshadowing might be the result when the draft report was made available for public comment last year.
Cr Rice said there was no intention to pull down Victorian shop fronts to make way for new development, nor did the council intend to encourage development that overshadowed existing buildings.
“Where possible we will encourage residential development in the CBD and increase activity in the area.”
Cr Rice said there was a push to develop shop-top housing in the Footscray CBD to increase the number of people in the area at night.
