It was a $250,000 playground that was meant to attract more young families to Nicholson Street Mall in the heart of Footscray.
But Maribyrnong Council has pulled the pin on a two-year trial, dismantling the playground that was installed in the mall in March 2023, after overwhelming feedback from locals that the move had backfired.
How Maribyrnong Council promoted the Nicholson Street Mall playground in Footscray (left); and the playground before it was removed.
A council survey of almost 400 community members in December found that two-thirds wanted the playground removed because of concerns of antisocial behaviour.
Rather than being used by children, respondents said the playground had become a space for using drugs, sleeping rough or as a public toilet, with needles sometimes found on the play equipment.
Traders on the pedestrianised shopping strip argue that the money used on the playground would have been better spent on prioritising some of Footscray’s complex social issues.
“None of the traders in the mall thought it was a good idea,” says Caleb Baker, co-owner of bar and boutique bottle shop Mr West.
Footscray traders Chris Tabone, Abdul Tekin and Caleb Baker want better security in the mall.Credit: Penny Stephens
The playground was funded using a state government scheme to create outdoor spaces after the COVID-19 lockdowns. The council is now storing the equipment for potential future use.
Baker has operated his business in the mall since 2018, a time when Footscray was being labelled the next Fitzroy, as one of Melbourne’s more vibrant suburbs. He said the mall was progressing well before COVID-19, but homelessness, drug use and violence increased, and the playground became a hotspot.
Baker said several mall workers had sought intervention orders after facing abuse and threats.
“It’s a really tough time at the moment,” he said. “A lot of traders feel helpless.
“The thing that will have the most immediate impact is funding for some security guards. It won’t solve the issues … but it might stop how drastic it is.”
Baker said the mall had immense potential, and he wanted more community events held there, such as this month’s Good Fest, which the council sponsored. Many traders believe the strip could thrive like Yarraville’s buzzing Ballarat Street.
“It’s a beautiful, big open space with trees and heaps of room for outdoor dining and entertainment. It would be huge for Footscray to turn it around,” Baker said.
Footscray Best Kebab House owner Abdul Tekin, whose family has run the Nicholson Street business for 22 years, said the failed playground proved there were deep, urgent issues to address before a play space would be appropriate.
People enjoy Good Fest in the mall this month.Credit: Tom Yau
“They wanted to bring something fun and light-hearted but ... we need more focus on safety before we can go and put in services like playgrounds,” he said.
The playground was directly opposite Tekin’s shop, and he said its removal had already had a positive impact.
He said while homelessness, addiction and mental illness had always existed in Footscray, the problems became concentrated in the mall after the pandemic years. Six shops on the strip are now empty.
“The mall used to be bustling with people and the shops were full,” Tekin said.
The mall following the playground’s removal. Credit: Penny Stephens
“Nicholson Street Mall has got a reputation now, whether we like it or not. If we introduce security to make people feel safe and welcome, it will go a very long way.”
Yours Truly Barbershop owner Chris Tabone said he had lobbied for council funding for security guards at the mall to deter antisocial behaviour.
Tabone said the playground had worsened the strip and affected his customers and staff. He is considering moving out when his lease ends in July.
“It’s a pity because there’s a good 10 businesses motivated to fix the area and there’s a risk of losing them,” he said.
Maribyrnong Mayor Pradeep Tiwari said the council would continue considering ways to freshen up the mall and organise community events, and work with the state government and other agencies to improve outreach services for vulnerable people in Footscray.
“Council understands the impact homelessness and addiction can have on the broader community, including small businesses and social carers,” Tiwari said.
“The focus remains on creating a welcoming, vibrant environment for all.”
Caitlin Caruana, the director of community legal centre Westjustice, said Footscray was the hub of the western suburbs, where all western-bound train lines converged.
“It’s not surprising that Nicholson Street Mall is where people are looking for community and for help,” she said.
Caruana said security guards would only move problems elsewhere.
“This requires all levels of government delivering multidisciplinary services like housing, health and mental health, addiction, legal, social work and more – for a similar cost to rolling out security guards and removing playgrounds,” she said.
Victoria Police acting inspector Justin Morley, the area commander for Maribyrnong, said officers did daily patrols of Nicholson Street to deal with any anti-social behaviour.
Municipal-wide data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows the City of Maribyrnong had a 23.5 per cent increase in criminal incidents in the year to September.
Morley said police regularly took drug detection dogs to the mall, and the operation had recently led to the arrest of three people.
Michael Clarke, a former long-term councillor until his defeat at last year’s election, said he was surprised the playground had been unsuccessful, but it was clear that a “Band-Aid” approach wouldn’t help the mall.
Clarke said a police booth was located in the mall many years ago. He called for more investment and co-ordinated efforts from police, council and businesses to create a space that was safe and accessible.
Fred Maddern, a two-time mayor of the City of Footscray (which later became part of the City of Maribyrnong), remembers when Nicholson Street was closed to cars in 1971.
Nicholson Street, Footscray, was closed to traffic in 1971. The street was developed into one of Australia’s first pedestrian malls.Credit: Age Archives
It was developed into one of Australia’s first pedestrianised malls in 1977, and newspaper articles from the time show it inspired the creation of the CBD’s Bourke Street Mall.
Maddern said he was disappointed by the state of the Nicholson Street Mall and nearby Maddern Square, a small park named in his honour that will soon be resurfaced for ball sports.
“I think the council took the foot off the pedal. People just won’t go to Footscray today,” he said.
“It’s going to take a massive combined effort ... to lift the appearance of the mall.”
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