Proposed heritage planning amendment abandoned

Published on 20 June 2023

At tonight’s Council Meeting, Council voted to abandon a recommendation to adopt Amendment C172, which would have seen new planning controls introduced to protect eight heritage precincts in West Footscray and surrounding parts of Footscray and Maidstone.

Public exhibition of Amendment C172 occurred in early 2022, and Council received 199 submissions – 33 of which supported the Amendment as exhibited, with the balance either requesting changes, further information, or not supporting the Amendment in the form exhibited.

“Our community has shared concerns with us about this Amendment, and common issues raised relate to the value of protecting inter-war and post-war architecture, concern about building condition, impediments to property maintenance and alterations particularly those that would improve energy efficiency, property value, and financial implications,” Mayor, Cr Sarah Carter said.

“While it is important for Council to protect neighbourhood character and heritage within the City, we need to ensure our community is not significantly impacted by these decisions. Although Amendment C172 has been through a rigorous process including consideration by an Independent Planning Panel, we have considered all aspects of the proposed amendment, including the community feedback, and feel that the financial impacts on property owners outweigh the benefits associated with heritage protection in this instance.” Mayor Carter continued.

Council will now notify the Minister for Planning in writing of Council’s decision and reasons for abandoning Amendment C172, and request the Minister for Planning prepare and approve an amendment to the Maribyrnong Planning Scheme to remove the interim Heritage Overlay that was applied to precincts via Amendment C173.

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