Heritage projects

In 2019, Council undertook a feasibility study to investigate areas of potential heritage significance in the West Footscray area. Community feedback received on the West Footscray Neighbourhood Plan 2018 highlighted the need to protect existing neighbourhood character and heritage. The study concluded West Footscray and surrounding parts of Footscray and Maidstone had large areas of potentially significant inter-war and post-war residential precincts which should be investigated further.

• Download the West Footscray Heritage Feasibility Study 2019
• Download the West Footscray Inter-war and Post war Heritage Precinct Study 2021

Council proposed to introduce new planning controls to protect eight heritage precincts in West Footscray and surrounding parts of Footscray and Maidstone. These changes were known as Amendment C172 to the Maribyrnong Planning Scheme. 

Public exhibition of Amendment C172 was held 28 February to 7 April 2022. Download the submissions here(PDF, 20MB). Please note, the submissions have been redacted to remove personal information in accordance with public availability requirements under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and Council’s privacy policy. In accordance with the Act, where a submission identifies a property address in the Amendment area (i.e. affected by the proposed Heritage Overlay), the address has not been redacted.

In September 2022, Council's delegate considered all submissions and referred them to an independent Planning Panel to review. The Panel was appointed by the Minister for Planning and held a public hearing over six days in November-December 2022. All submitters were invited to take part in the hearing.

The Panel delivered their report in early 2023, concluding Amendment C172 to be strategically justified and recommending Council adopt it with changes. Download the Panel’s report here.(PDF, 6MB)

At its Ordinary Council meeting on 20 June 2023, the Maribyrnong Council resolved to abandon Amendment C172. This means that Council will not be pursuing permanent heritage protection for the affected sites in West Footscray and surrounding areas. Download the Council report and attachments(PDF, 33MB) and download the Council minutes(PDF, 810KB). 

The Minister for Planning was advised on 29 June 2023 of the resolution to abandon Planning Scheme Amendment C172. Download the letter sent to the Minister for Planning.(PDF, 302KB)

Interim heritage controls were applied to protect houses that might have heritage significance while Council considered applying a permanent heritage overlay. These controls are due to expire on 27 November 2023.

Following Council's resolution to abandon Amendment C172, a request was submitted to the Minister for Planning on 5 July 2023 seeking the Minister prepare and approve Amendment C181mari to promptly remove the interim heritage controls. Download the letter sent to the Minister for Planning(PDF, 137KB).

Until the interim heritage controls are removed (either at expiry or before), affected properties continue to be affected by the heritage overlay and works may require a planning permit.