Consultation sessions open for future use of Footscray Hospital as residents grasp opportunity to enrich community

A man-made lake, abundant green space, social housing and beer gardens could replace an old Melbourne hospital.

Footscray locals believe the hospital should be turned into a man-made lake, abundant green space, social housing or beer gardens.

A man-made lake, abundant green space, social housing and beer gardens could replace the Footscray Hospital as residents urge the state government to keep community at the heart of the site’s future use.

On Thursday, the state government held the first of three ‘pop-up’ sessions at Footscray Hospital inviting the community to help determine the future use of the land when services move down the road in 2025.

Residents have already made submissions on the Department of Planning’s website for potential usage of the 8.5ha site — majority owned by the state government with a section owned by Maribyrnong City Council — which include an outdoor pool, a native nursery, parks and playgrounds, a public school and social housing.

The community group Reimagining Old Footscray Hospital hosted a walking tour of the site last month. Picture: Supplied

Reimagining Old Footscray Hospital community group founding member Kate Breen said while there was a plethora of ideas around, it was vital any redevelopment prioritised community benefit over commercial interest.

“We really want to see uses that support community connection, resilience, and physical and mental wellbeing, with an emphasis on informal and formal green and recreation spaces, walkability and cycling, and social and affordable housing,” Ms Breen said.

“As public land with a long history of community connection, there is huge potential for the government to collaborate with the community and co-design a plan that maximises community outcomes for current and future residents.

“Over the past year we invited the community to connect and reimagine what the space could become and now we encourage as many people to participate through this formal government consultation process.”

An archived picture of Footscray Hospital from Eleanor St . Picture: Supplied

The hospital was originally purchased through pooled funds by Footscray residents back in 1920 and the community then spent decades advocating for the hospital to eventually be built.

Ms Breen said the group was founded after residents noticed that while the date for the hospital move was fast approaching, there was no evidence the government had planned for life after the hospital.

The group had more than 160 people participate in previous sessions, hosted a walking tour around the site last month, and formulated its own ‘community vision map’ which featured a recreational lake, basketball courts, playgrounds, cafes, an outdoor swimming pool, health services, and beer garden.

The community vision map which includes space for a swimmable lake, beer gardens, and social housing.

Footscray state Labor MP Katie Hall encouraged locals to have their say.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the local community to tell us what is most important to them and what they would like to see when it comes to the existing Footscray Hospital site,” Ms Hall said.

The government has consulted with stakeholders including the council, Victoria University, Western Health, Western Bulldogs, the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance, and LEADWEST.

Following this week’s pop-up session, a second will be held on Paisley St on November 21 and a third at the SloFo Wefo markets on February 10.

Residents can also complete a survey or contribute to a feedback map on the state government website until community consultation closes on February 29.