State Government- consultation open until 26 July

Public land under threat - token consultation before community land sold off

Development Victoria has launched consultation on the former Footscray Hospital site with feedback closing on 26 July – disappointingly, it is far from the best practice community engagement and co-design process we have asked for and deserve.

Have your say here.

It’s a box-ticking exercise with a basic ‘master plan’ lacking detail to enable informed feedback, another survey, and a community reference group only permitted to discuss features of a park.

The State Government plan doesn’t reflect the community objectives and need for a major urban forest parkland, significant public and social housing, and a range of community infrastructure - all highlighted in our advocacy and Council’s excellent advocacy plan.

Community Action Needed:

We encourage residents to complete the survey and highlight the need for:

• A genuine process of working with the community and Council to co-design the entire site
• A large State Government funded urban forest across the former quarry
• A commitment to the State delivering at least 30% public and social housing
• Emphasis on community infrastructure (e.g. old building reuse, childcare expansion) not privatisation.

We also encourage you to write to MPs and Ministers to demand a significantly improved engagement and planning process. You can find out more about the site history and a template letter you can modify and send at our website.

Make your voice heard before this public land - purchased by our community for public benefit over 100 years ago - is sold to the highest bidder.