Issuu

ANATOMY

STUDIO IZAK

OF A LIVING PRECINCT Adrian Del Re, Imogen Ruberg, Kate Chan and Zhanyu Shen UPD4001

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

We acknowledge that Footscray exists on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nations, and where it meets with the lands of the Bunurong peoples. We offer our respect to the Elders of these lands, and through them to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge their continued connection to and care for Country and community. Image by Imogen Ruberg

STUDIO IZAK

A publication by Studio IZAK

Studio IZAK comprises Imogen Ruberg, Zhanyu Shen, Adrian Del Re and Kate Chan. It was formed for unit UPD4001 in Monash University’s Master of Urban Planning and Design, Semester 1, 2026 for the unit’s focus of Curating a More Liveable Footscray. Initial date of publication: 19/06/2026

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AI Statement: We acknowledge the use of Claude AI to generate possible wording for our vision and principals. We created multiple iterations and compared the wording with what we as a group drafted separately. The outputs were used to assist in drafting the wording of our vision statement however all generated material was altered before being included in our statements. AI software fwas also used for the purposes of language translation.

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

STUDIO IZAK UPD4001

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Executive Summary

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The Vision The new $1.5 billion dollar hospital and an upcoming innovation centre at Victoria University will become a hive of activity for students, patients, and professionals alike. However, this increase in visitation to the region isn’t necessarily reigniting the city’s stagnant CBD and engagement with the surrounding community is limited due to the hospital and university acting as a self-contained subcentre of Footscray.

greatest challenge though, is Maribyrnong City Council’s expectation to double its number of dwellings by 2051, placing significant pressure on the Footscray Activity Centre to carry a bulk of this due to its optimal transport connectivity to the Melbourne CBD and regional centres as well as Footscray’s vibrant cultural reputation.

This report presents a strategic framework for the Health & Education Precinct of the Footscray Activity Centre, prepared as part of the UPD4001: The Compact City unit within the Master of Urban Planning & Design at Monash University. The project responds to the evolving role of Footscray as one of Melbourne’s designated Metropolitan Activity Centres and addresses the challenges and opportunities arising from the aforementioned institutional anchor points. The

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Our project conceptualises Footscray as a living organism, a body, with its CBD, Health & Education Precinct, and Footscray Park as vital organs responsible for the ability of the area to care for its community. Thus, urban form is understood not simply as a spatial outcome but as a determinant of health and quality of life. This report acts as a kind of check up on the ailments preventing the body from operating optimally and prescribes remedies aimed to aid its function via four strategies: Designed to Care This strategy asks how the built environment can provide care for the people who live and work in Footscray. This is of particular importance as key workers, students, and the prevalent migrant community of the area risk being priced out of housing as Footscray intensifies. A proposed

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

STUDIO IZAK

mandate of 6% affordable housing would ensure the retention of these demographics as Footscray evolves. In addition, a proposed Built Form Overlay (BFO) introducing Floor Area Ratios with uplift incentives for public benefits such as affordable housing would assist in surpassing the mandated 6% minimum. Just as vulnerable are the buildings of Footscray, which act as a survey of the changing architectural styles from the nineteenth to twentieth century. Heritage overlay protections don’t extend into the Activity Centre, allowing the city’s material identity to change beyond recognition and the history imbued in its textures to be overwritten. A proposed Design Excellence Program will guide and reward contextually sensitive and culturally grounded design. Honouring the Pulse as it Evolves Footscray comprises layers of history, from the Wurundjeri and Bunurong lands it is built upon, to its industrial past, and the waves of migration that have shaped the area since. This strategy seeks to integrate an emerging health and education hub identity with that which already exists. A proposed reactivation of vacant sites along Nicholson Street by partnering with Victoria University will weave the educational institution

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into the city’s heart while also bridging its north and south campuses. In addition, an open school grounds initiative will enable public realm activation outside of school hours, with a flurry of festivals and markets finding a home in the term breaks. And finally, a masterplan for Federal Street sees a new wellbeing corridor rise across the hospital providing housing, health, and further support services. Connecting Centres through Flowing Arteries Transport and street network improvements are proposed to improve connectivity between the Health & Education Precinct and the Footscray CBD, consolidating the sum of the city’s parts. This strategy also seeks to imbue health amongst the community through better facilitating active transport modes, with a traffic-calmed, bicycleprioritised reimagining of Nicholson Street as one proposal which will also further strengthen the connection between Victoria University’s campuses. A new mobility hub on Paisley Street will consolidate transport interchange functions and set the ball rolling for public realm improvements in the immediate vicinity due to freeing the surrounding streets from a plethora of parking bays. Expanding the safe cycling network on Droop Street will further reduce

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

friction between different subcentres and support the broader active transport mode share target of 35% by 2051. A Place to Breathe This strategy takes its framing from the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Whole of Country Plan to ensure Country-centred planning practice that will not only allow Footscray’s community to breathe more deeply, but the very land itself too which has experienced a series of stressors and traumas since colonisation. Another contribution is made to our BFO in the form of low embodied carbon material and process provisions in the construction of an intensified future Footscray as well as deep soil requirements that allow what was once marshy wetland to drink generously again. The displacement of non-human entities aims to be reduced with a canopy and habitat corridor masterplan for Nicholson Street as well as ensuring new developments on Federal Street integrate themselves holistically into the broader ecological network of the area.

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Implementation

Conclusion

Maribyrnong City Council has three pathways at its disposal in order to enact the suite of aforementioned proposals; regulate, invest, or advocate. These reflect the varying legal reaches the Council and the State possess.

Footscray is at a pivotal moment. The opening of the new Footscray Hospital in February of this year, the ongoing expansion of Victoria University, and the Victorian Government’s target of 48,000 new dwellings across Maribyrnong by 2051 present a striking opportunity to shape a precinct for a thrilling future while carrying its people along for the journey. This framework offers a path to that future through listening to the communities, past and present, that have made Footscray one of Melbourne’s most distinct destinations. Anatomy of a Living Precinct is more than a planning document. It is a contention that the built environment can be constructed in a way that cares for people, for Country, and for the futures that Footscray is growing into.

To motivate the various changes we’ve recommended, two catalyst projects have been developed. The first sees the current carpark on Donald Street converted into housing with 40% open space retained. The carpark is a Council-owned site sitting between the CBD and hospital, providing a prime opportunity to increase affordable housing and public realm offerings in the area. A reimagined Nicholson Street spine is our second project, providing an ecological spine to welcome non-human entities back into Footscray while benefitting human health too. Vacant sites along the street will also be reinvigorated through educational activation from Victoria University, giving these structures a second life and the city as a whole exciting new spaces for innovation to occur.

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Contributions Executive Summary, Indigenous Context, Post-Contact History, Theory (Determinants of Health) and diagram, ‘Designed to care’ strategy and actions, Future Footscray Demonstration Site masterplan and collage, Bibliography, colophon.

Imogen

Report template, Acknowledgement of Country, Vision diagram and strategies sketches, Statutory policy context, key attributes, the brief/ what we’ve heard from stakeholders, key challenges photo spread and map, summary of our analysis, strategy overview map, a place to breathe strategy and actions, implementation table and staging plans/ maps, nicholson st spine diagram, masterplan and sections, habitat corridor, reflection.

Kate

Demographics, targets, regional context map, Maribyrnong LGA map, micro-stories, honouring the pulse as it evolves strategy and actions, Nicholson Street spine - Nicholson Commons collage, existing conditions, plans and visuals.

Zhanyu

Role of activity centre, strategic planning context for Victoria and Maribyrnong, actions for ‘flowing and connected arteries’

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Adrian

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Contents

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Introduction 10 Health and education focus area 11 Vision 12 Strategies 13

Designed to care Honouring the pulse as it evolves Connected flowing arteries A place to breathe

42 46 50 54

Context 14

How will we get there?

Indigenous Context 16 Post-Contact History 17 Role of your Activity center 18 Strategic policy context 20 Statutory planning 22 Key attributes 24 Demographics 26 Micro-story 28 The brief 30 Targets 31 Theory 32

Strategies & actions Key challenges Analysis of findings Strategy overview

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Implementation timeline 59 Staging plan: Short term 60 Staging plan: Medium term 61 Staging plan: Long term 62 Staging and responsibilities 63 66 Nicholson Street Spine Future Footscray Demonstration Site 73 Reflections 76

34 36 39 40

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Introduction UPD4001

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

1 STUDIO IZAK

Health and education focus area Footscray exists on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples and has been a place of care for over 40,000 years. The new Footscray Hospital has brought huge state government investment and builds on the history of grass roots and community lead health care in Footscray. Alongside Victoria University (Footscray Park campus), the health and education area is a significant precinct on the edge of Footscray Activity Centre.

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Map by Imogen Ruberg Source: Nearmap FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

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Vision To transform Footscray into a living, breathing system that supports its community’s health and wellbeing through considered urban form. This project, guided by key environmental and social determinants of health, considers Footscray as a living system; Footscray Park as its lungs, the central core as the heart and the hospital and university as centres of care and innovation, all connected by flowing arteries. If we care for the system, Footscray can continue to evolve and grow into a thriving civic place.

Diagram: Imogen Ruberg UPD4001

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Strategies How will we transform Footscray into a living, breathing, caring system?

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Designed to care

Honouring the pulse as it evolves

Connecting centres through flowing arteries

A place to breathe

Supporting a Footscray that cares Acknowledging Footscray’s history Delivering safer streets that Creating a breathable Footscray for its community and their culture while growing into its future as a encourage active transport and where ecologies are healthy and through the built form to achieve health and education precinct. spaces to linger. enable better care for its non-human high quality of life outcomes through and human life. all stages of life.

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Context UPD4001

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2 UPD4001

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Indigenous Context 1 1

IMAGES

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1 1 The Maribyrnong River is an area of high cultural sensitivity for the Wurundjeri and Bunurong Peoples. Scar trees, middens, and tools have been found on its banks.

n Creek (Buried) utto ly B Bil

‘Merri Creek, Plenty Ranges’ by F. Cogne imbues a sense of what Indigenous life by waterways was like prior to European contact. The environment provided a rich food source and space for sacred ceremonies in excess of 40,000 years.

by Adrian Del-Re

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Post-Contact History 1839 - ‘Saltwater’ settlement established

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1803 - Surveyor-General Charles Grimes assesses Maribyrnong

1943 - Ballarat Road Campus opens

1859 - Footscray declared municipality

1967 - Referendum

1953 - Footscray Hospital opens

1933 - William Cooper founds Australian Aborigines’ League

1916 - Footscray Technical School opens

1918 - School used as hospital during WWI

1994 - City of Maribyrnong formed

1992 - Victoria University opens

2025 - Treaty

1998 - VU Nicholson St campus opens

2026 - New Footscray Hospital opens

by Adrian Del-Re

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

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Role of your Activity center Footscray Activity Centre is one of Melbourne’s designated Metropolitan Activity Centres and serves as a major employment, retail, education, health, and service hub for the inner west. Its location on key transport corridors provides strong regional accessibility through rail, tram, bus, and road networks, connecting Footscray to Melbourne’s CBD and surrounding suburbs. The centre is expected to accommodate significant population and employment growth, supported by major investments including the new Footscray Hospital and the expansion of Victoria University. These developments reinforce Footscray’s emerging role as a health and education precinct while creating opportunities for economic development and housing growth. In addition to its economic functions, Footscray is an important cultural and community destination, characterised by its multicultural identity, public institutions, and access to open space. As a result, the Activity Centre plays a critical role in supporting a connected, accessible, and liveable urban environment for current and future residents.

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Melbourne International Airport

Business precinct Footscray business precinct Highpoint major activity centre Transport precinct Urban renewal project Watercourse Existing rail network Melbourne airport rail Metro tunnel project Surburban rail loop

Defence Site Maribyrnong Sunshine Precinct

Braybrook Regeneration Project

Highpoint Activity Centre

Footscray Precinct

Parkville Precinct Arden Precinct

Docklands Precinct Richmond to Flinders Precinct Fishermans Bend Precinct

This map made by Zhanyu Shen.

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

This map made by Kate Chan

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MARIBYRNONG

MAIDSTONE

BRAYBROOK

WEST FOOTSCRAY

SEDDON

NON

IVE

FOOTSCRAY TOTTENHAM

BYR

The development strategy for the Footscray Activity Centre is organised around four core directions: creating a walkable centre where residents can easily access local services and amenities; leveraging its diverse community to strengthen cultural and economic identity; identifying opportunities to enhance the public realm, streetscapes, and open space; and improving connections for walking, cycling, and public transport users to achieve seamless integration between different travel modes. This map, made by Kate Chen, visually illustrates the spatial layout and key nodes of these four strategic directions within the Footscray Activity Centre.

MAR I

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Role of your Activity center

KINGSVILLE

Maribyrnong LGA Footscray activity centre Open space

YARRAVILLE

Water area Railway 0

2 km

This map made by Kate Chan.

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

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Strategic policy context Plan Melbourne identified Footscray as a Metropolitan Activity Centre but is no longer the primary framework, having been superseded by Plan for Victoria, the Housing Statement, and the Activity Centre Program. Plan fr Victoria aims to create healthier, more liveable communities through activity centres, 20-minute neighbourhoods, and integrated transport planning. This project responds by proposing a Mobility Hub, safe cycling networks, improved pedestrian links, and better public transport integration to encourage active travel. It also supports health and wellbeing via the Nicholson Street Habitat Spine, increased tree canopy, park connections, and affordable housing to reinforce Footscray as a Health and Education Precinct. Plan Melbourne is referenced only as historical context; current analysis is based on latest Victorian Government frameworks.

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Strategic policy context The Maribyrnong Development Contributions Plan (DCP) ensures new development contributes to infrastructure supporting population growth, funding transport upgrades, public spaces, and community facilities. This project aligns with the DCP through a proposed Mobility Hub, expanded cycling network, improved pedestrian connections, and public realm upgrades to support future growth and enhance connectivity between Victoria University, Footscray Hospital, and surrounding neighbourhoods. By investing in transport, open space, and community infrastructure, the DCP supports Footscray’s transformation into a healthy, connected, and sustainable Health and Education Precinct. MATAC promotes walking and cycling for safer, healthier, more sustainable communities. This project supports MATAC’s goals through a safe cycling network, pedestrian-priority streets, a Mobility Hub, and upgraded intersections to improve accessibility and active travel connections between Victoria University, Footscray Hospital, and the wider Activity Centre. By prioritising walking and cycling, the project reduces car dependence and contributes to healthier lifestyles and a more liveable urban environment.

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Statutory planning

Maribyrnong Planning Scheme - Zones Zone Map

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The Maribyrnong Planning Scheme applies to the Health & Education focus area within Footscray.

HEATH & EDUCATION FOCUS AREA

The following planning zones are relevant to this precinct:

FOOTSCRAY ACTIVITY CENTRE MARIBYRNONG RIVER ZONES

ACTIVITY CENTRE ZONE - VARIOUS

• • • • • • •

Activity Centre Zone Schedule 1 (ACZ1) Public Use Zone Education (PUZ2) Public Use Zone Health & Community (PUZ3) Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) General Residential Zone - Schedule 1 (GRZ1) Neighbourhood Residential Zone Schedule 1 (NRZ1) Mixed Use Zone (MUZ)

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COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT VARIOUS GENERAL RESIDENTIAL ZONE VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL 1 ZONE INDUSTRIAL 3 ZONE MIXED USE ZONE NEIGHBOURHOOD RESIDENTIAL ZONE - SCHEDULE 1 PUBLIC PARK AND RECREATION PUBLIC USE ZONE - VARIOUS RESIDENTIAL GROWTH ZONE SCHEDULE 1 SPECIAL USE ZONE - VARIOUS TRANSPORT ZONE 1 - STATE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSPORT ZONE 2 - PRINCIPAL ROAD NETWORK TRANSPORT ZONE 3 - SIGNIFICANT MUNICIPAL ROAD URBAN FLOODWAY ZONE

Map: Imogen Ruberg Source: Department of Transport and Planning FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

100

200 m 1:10 000

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Maribyrnong Planning Scheme - Overlays Key planning overlays relevant to the health and education focus area include the Specific Control Overlay for the New Footscray Hospital site, which facilitated its delivery and enabled its built form and scale. Large areas of the lower residential areas are included in heritage overlays, as well as significant sections of Barkly Street. A Significant Landscape Overlay applies to Victoria University and Footscray Park, which identifies the Maribyrnong River (Mirring-gnay-bir-nong) as a connected system of rivers, wetlands, and creeks, with strong ecological and cultural value. A number of trees registered in the Maribyrnong Significant Tree Register, are included in the Environmental Significance Overlay. UPD4001

Map: Imogen Ruberg Source: Department of Transport and Planning FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Key attributes The Health & Education precinct is characterised by Victoria University and the new Footscray Hospital linking to Footscray Park and Footscray Station, a key connector to the West.

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Footscray health and education focus area lies north of Footscray’s core encompassing the new Footscray Hospital, Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus, Footscray Park and on to the Maribyrnong River (Mirring-gnay-bir-nong). The majority of the area comprises lower density residential housing separating the emerging health, education and innovation hub around the hospital and university campus from Footscray core, characterised by higher density and fine grain retail activity along Barkly Street, Footscray Market and the memories of the past Little Saigon Market. The health and education focus area also comprises a number of primary and secondary education centres as well as satellite allied health facilities. Footscray station acts as a key connector to the CBD and on the west.

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

FOOTSCRAY PARK

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Footscray Station Footscray Market Barkly Street New Footscray Hospital Former Little Saigon Market Maribyrnong River / Mirring-gnay-bir-nong Footscray Park Victoria University Footscray Community Arts Footscray library and future Creative West

Footscray Activity Centre Health and education focus area

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Lower density residential area Core business and activity area

Footscray key attributes

BARKLY STREET

Maribyrnong River Open space

2 FOOTSCRAY STATION

Existing bicycle network Railway Route 82 tram

Train station

Tram stop

8 Map: Imogen Ruberg UPD4001

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Demographics Footscray is a rapidly growing and gentrifying suburb with a large student and health worker population.

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With Footscray’s population set to grow by over 60% by the year 2051 with a population of over 40,000 and the City of Maribyrnong’s population projected to grow by over 50%, Footscray will be a pivotal facilitator of healthcare and education not just for the suburb but all of Melbourne’s West.

MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE

There are over 4,500 staff at the new Footscray Hospital and over 20,000 students at the two Footscray Victoria University campuses, meaning providing key worker and other affordable housing will be vital, with the median price for a house in Footscray being $917,000.

LAND AREA

5km2 Source: realestate.com.au

$917,000

However, with an area of 5km² there is immense pressure to intensify the density of Footscray to accomodate the increasing population, without destroying its neighbourhood character. HAS A BACHELORS DEGREE OR HIGHER

FOOTSCRAY

GREATER MELBOURNE

12.9%

8.1%

POPULATION GROWTH 2021

~1,000 17,131

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POPULATION FORECAST 2051

2026

26,076

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41,943

Source: .id

Demographics Footscray is a young, highly educated suburb with people from diverse backgrounds.

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The demographics reveal that Footscray is a highly educated suburb with 43.2% of residents having a bachelor’s degree or higher and a further 2,342 people currently in tertiary education. It is also an incredibly diverse suburb with 42.9% of households using a non-English language and 40.1% of residents being born overseas from countries including Vietnam, China, India and the UK. The population is relatively young with a median age of 34 compared to Victoria’s median age of 38, and two bedroom houses make up the greatest proportion of housing in Footscray which should be taken into consideration when creating new developments. MEDIAN AGE

NUMBER OF BEDROOMS

FOOTSCRAY

GREATER MELBOURNE

FOOTSCRAY

LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION

GREATER MELBOURNE

FOOTSCRAY

GREATER MELBOURNE

12.9%

8.1%

AVERAGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE PER HOUSEHOLD

2.6

2.1 LIVING WITH AT LEAST ONE LONG-TERM HEALTH CONDITION

FOOTSCRAY

GREATER MELBOURNE

31.5%

29.5%

HOUSEHOLDS WHERE A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE IS USED

TOP COUNTRIES OF BIRTH Vietnam

China

8.5%

2.2% Australia

2.2% Vietnam

VICTORIA

42.9%

30.2%

51% 2.2% India

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FOOTSCRAY

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

All other data sourced from ABS Census 2021

Micro-story The two stories exemplify the importance of the creative arts and history in caring for Footscray

Olana Janfa | Painter

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“The sense of connection I have found here over the years is something I strive to replicate in my works, so that patients, visitors and staff of the new Footscray Hospital feel just as welcomed and valued as I did when I arrived in Footscray.” Olana is an Ethiopian-Norwegian artist who has created 83 artworks titled ‘Heal and Thrive‘ based on a series of creative workshops with community members, hospital staff and local schools, based on the themes of hope, strength and family for the new Footscray Hospital. Olana also created the artwork for the Maddern Square basketball court, the Braid Bar on Droop Street and a mural on Victoria Street. Source: Olana Janfa Instagram

Olana Janfa. Source: plenary.com/apac

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

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Jinghua Qian & Liz Crash Source: jinghuaqian.com

Jinghua Qian & Liz Crash | Creators of Underfoot “Growing up in the 90s, we knew Footscray as a working-class postindustrial area and a home to many migrant communities. More recently, like many deindustrialised suburbs close to a city centre, it’s experienced rapid gentrification, new building development, and many changes in the population.” Underfoot is a series of virtual multimedia tours uncovering the secret histories of Footscray. Two old friends, both long-time Footscray residents, bring an intimate lens to local history as they travel through the archives looking for people like them: queers, migrants, radicals, and artists.

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The brief What we’ve heard from key stakeholders

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Four major stakeholders in the Footscray health and education focus area include the Victorian Government, Maribyrnong City Council, Footscray Hospital and Victoria University. Key to how Footscray will evolve over the next decades is the Victorian Government target of 48,000 new dwellings across Maribyrnong City Council. Huge state investment of $1.5 billion has seen the delivery of the new Footscray Hospital which will provide an additional 250 jobs across over 50 specialist clinics. The hospital will also see an additional 15,000 patients treated each year. Alongside the growing health care community in Footscray, Victoria University consists of a student community of over 20,000, many of whom are first generation tertiary education students, and will deliver a new health innovation hub in collaboration with the hospital. Maribyrnong City Council represents a diverse resident community who would like to see green spaces delivered across Footscray as well as creating safer and more lively streets for people to enjoy. UPD4001

Victorian State Government 48,000 new dwellings across Maribyrnong by 2051

Footscray Hospital

15,000 extra patients treated annually

Maribyrnong City Council

More green spaces and canopy cover

Safer and more lively streets

Victoria University

+50 specialist health care clinics

+20,000 students studying in Footscray

250 Hospital jobs

A new health innovation hub

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Targets The targets will guide future plans for the Health and Education precinct and to achieve the ‘Anatomy of a Living Body‘ vision.

6.6% of residents are in social housing. There is no designated key worker

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18.5% of mode to travel to work uses active transport Based on walking, cycling or public transport as mode to travel to work, per 2021 ABS Census data

Source: 2021 ABS Census

BY 2051

2026 Private tree and shrub canopy cover is 5.2% Source: InCanopy

10% of new builds will have affordable housing with 50% of that being key worker housing

35% of mode to travel to work uses active transport

Maribyrnong City Council supports 10 to 15 major festivals in Footscray, none with Victoria University

Private tree and shrub canopy cover will increase to 15%

Maribyrnong City Council will host at least 2 festivals annually in collaboration with Victoria University

Diagram: Kate Chan

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Theory Climat ec

ucation amen ed it

nd Nature ya sit

Social env iro

Biod ive r

Natu ra l

realm blic pu

Qualit yo f

rt options po ns

Qualit yo f

Public tra

ing us

ent m n

Air q

Access to

Health an

e resilience ng ha

nvironm e ilt e nt Bu

The three determinants featured here are most directly responsive to planning intervention.While much health inequality requires systemic policy reform, the quality of public space, infrastructure, housing, and street activation are what planners and designers have the most leverage in influencing.

ces rvi se

onment vir en

This is what the World Health Organisation terms the “causes of the causes” (CSDH 2008). These determinants are more influential upon one’s wellbeing than individual behaviour and encompass income, education, employment, housing, cultural identity, and most certainly, the built and natural environment. Thus, health inequality is not inevitable but avoidable and able to be improved readily. Where disadvantage is spatially concentrated, like Footscray, low quality health outcomes become legible in the streetscape itself.

ies

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Health is dependent on more than simply individual choices. It is shaped by the very conditions in which people live.

lity ua

gs ildin bu

by Adrian Del-Re

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Social Environment

Natural Environment

Built Environment

New Footscray Hospital and Victoria University are major health and education institutions servicing the west of Melbourne. But the lack of additional major health and education infrastructure further out west places great pressure on these two sites in particular, so finding ways to extend their reach and capacity are essential for Footscray’s wellbeing, and that of the wider western metropolitan region.

The Maribyrnong River is a key feature of Footscray’s landscape and a large entity in and of itself, thus its potential impacts on health are significant.

Maribyrnong must double its number of dwellings by 2051, placing great expectation on Footscray to intensify. This will inevitably lead to change in housing typology, including taller builds on restrictive lot sizes. It is pivotal we get the quality of new housing right.

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Kawachi et al. (2010) find that income and educational are strongly associated with health outcomes through both material and psychosocial pathways, with relative deprivation independently predicting higher mortality and mental health issues. Flavel et al. (2022) extend this to Australia, finding the social gradient in health and income has steepened significantly, with avoidable mortality in the most disadvantaged areas more than double that of the least disadvantaged by 2013–2017 This is a pattern directly relevant to Footscray's high rates of rental stress and welfare dependency. Baker and Bentley (2023) argue that housing quality, security, and affordability are among the most underestimated determinants of health in urban governance, with insecure housing disproportionately impacting mental health. In Footscray, where 36% of residents rent privately, the design of the Health and Education Precinct must respond directly to the health vulnerabilities that poor housing conditions produce.

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The 2022 Maribyrnong floods saw the river break its banks and submerge what is now urban, but is built on marshes and wetlands. Based on urban flooding cases in the UK, Fewtrell & Kay (2008) found that mental health impacts of flooding dwarfed the reporting of physical symptoms. Maclean et al. (2017) reviewed 13 studies which found Indigenous engagement programs that occurred on Country were linked to better health outcomes including improved markers for diabetes, reduced cholesterol and blood pressure, improved respiratory function, better mental health, reduced substance use, and improved birthing outcomes. Thus, the protection of the Maribyrnong and the reintroduction of native species in Footscray is pivotal for the health of First Nations Peoples as a vulnerable minority in the area. Mavoa et al., (2019) found that Melburnians more strongly associated greening on private premises with subjective wellbeing than that in public. This highlights the importance of deep soil retention on private lots, but will be difficult to retain as Footscray densifies. Thus, ensuring green public spaces are planned from the beginning of an area’s development is essential to improve air quality and psychological wellness in Footscray.

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

The ABS Housing Mobility and Conditions Survey (2019–20) found that nearly half of households dissatisfied with their dwelling cited poor dwelling condition as the primary reason, with consequences that are measurable: poor-quality housing is linked to greater psychological distress and lower self-assessed physical health (Giles-Corti et al. 2012; Baker et al. 2016). For children, the instability of frequent moves, rental insecurity, and financial housing stress carries demonstrable impacts on social and emotional wellbeing (Dockery et al. 2013). In Footscray, where 36% of residents rent privately and housing stress is pronounced, these are conditions actively shaping the health of the community the precinct is designed to serve. Public open space is often threatened with intensification, yet if of vital importance to health especially if people are living more compactly. Australian research has found a three-fold increase in the likelihood of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity where more than 95% of dwellings are within 400 metres of a park (Mavoa et al. 2016).

STUDIO IZAK

Strategies & actions UPD4001

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Transforming Footscray into a living, breathing system that supports its community’s health and wellbeing through considered urban form.

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Key challenges What are the key challenges to creating a living, breathing and caring Footscray? Vacant sites, inactive street fronts, gaps in urban fabric

STUDIO IZAK

The focus challenge of the health and education precinct is the new hospital precinct and the potential to draw life from Footscray’s beating heart. One of the major challenges for Footscray as it evolves is the new hospital and the risk or perception that life will be drawn away from the heart into the new precinct. Much of the health and education activity exists on the periphery of Footscray’s core and there is opportunity to revitalise and bring more life back into Footscray’s heart by providing stronger connecting arteries to the thinking and caring centres and on to the expansive parklands New hospital as its own precinct and monumental in scale

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Providing a of housing typologies for future population increase

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Car dominated neighbourhood streets

STUDIO IZAK

Intensification resulting in loss of soil and canopy cover

Limited permeable surfaces in Footscray’s core that act as Footscray’s lungs. Gaps in urban fabric and vacant lots also contribute to a reduced public realm and pedestrian experience along key corridors of Droop Street and Nicholson Street. As Footscray grows, there will be a key challenge to accommodate its growing and diverse population including the delivery of a diversity of housing typologies. Intensification often results in the loss of soil and canopy cover on private lots contributing to urban heat and net habitat loss across private land. Car dominated neighbourhood streets reduce access and disincentivises active modes of transport including walking and cycling. UPD4001

Photos: Imogen Ruberg FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Overview of key challenges as Footscray evolves Key challenges Victoria University

STUDIO IZAK

Footscray Park

NICHOLS

E GE

ON STREE

New Footscray Hospital

Health and Education Focus Area Footscray Activity Centre Maribyrnong River Open space Existing cycle way Railway Route 82 tram

Council carpark sites

Vacant sites Former Little Saigon site

New Footscray Hospital site (Special Building Overlay) Hostile intersections

BARKLY

STREET

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Analysis of findings

STUDIO IZAK

A health informed analysis of Footscray’s living system A system under pressue

Pressure on Footscray’s beating heart

Pressure on Footscray’s flowing arteries

Pressure on Footscray’s lungs

The living system that is Footscray, with its beating cultural heart, river and parkland lungs and arteries connecting its thinking and caring precincts, is under pressure. Prioritising social and environmental determinants as Footscray grows will ensure better outcomes for both human and non-human inhabitants.

The new Hospital precinct signals major investment in health infrastructure in Footscray and combined with the thinking hub of Victoria University is becoming its own precinct. This is a risk that economic, cultural and civic activity may be drawn away from Footscray’s heart. The liveliness of a civic heart is an indicator of a healthy system with opportunities for employment, social inclusion, access to healthy food and social infrastructure. Supporting Footscray heart to care for its community is a key opportunity to ensure Footscray grows into a healthy living system.

Car dominated neighbourhood streets and uninviting public realm experience discourages active modes of transport. While Footscray’s public transport connections via tram, train and bus are strong, enjoyable walkable and rideable paths across the health and education area are not always available. Encouraging safe and active transport, across all communities from children to older people to those with reduced mobility, is vital in providing a healthy and liveable place for all. Safe habitat corridors and opportunities for refuge are also critical in caring for the non-human inhabitants of Footscray.

Intensification of Footscray, which will be essential to provide housing for Footscray’s growing population, risks reducing the capacity of Footscray to breathe through its trees, landscapes and soils. Overall canopy cover is declining across private land in Footscray, which is at odds with Maribyrnong City Council urban canopy targets and with key environmental determinants of health. As soil extent and canopy extent decreases, a compounding effect of loss of shade, urban heating, biodiversity loss and water absorption becomes more apparent. Ensuring canopy, soils and habitat opportunities are retained and expanded as Footscray intensifies will be essential in creating a living, breathing and caring future Footscray for all.

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Strategy overview How will we create a living, breathing, caring Footscray?

STUDIO IZAK

Designed to care Develop a design guide and

Introdice strategic land use and social

Introduce a Built Form Overlay with

4 housing provisions in the BFO a Federal Street Masterplan 5 Develop as a healthy living precinct

Uplift scheme.

6 Activate vacant lots on Nicholson

Delivery a Future Footscray Demonstration project on the Donald St carpark

7 school streets program

1 implement a design excellence scheme

2 Floor Area Ratios and Floor Area 3

Honouring the pulse as it evolves

Connected, flowing arteries Incentivise public realm upgrades

Street by bringing VU into Footscray’s core Implement an open schools and

A place to breathe Support the implementation of the

8 through FAR uplift scheme within the

12 Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Whole of

13 increased deep soil extent in BFO

BFO Delivery pedestrian experience upgrades along Droop St around the new tram stop

Country Plan

Intr5oduce low embodied carbon and

10 Develop master plan for a Paisley

14 Delivery a Nicholson Street habitat

11 Expand the safe cycling network

15 through to open space and habitat via

Street Mobility Hub

spine

Incorporate improved connections the Federal Street Masterplan

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1 2

Footscray Activity Centre

4 8 12 13

Health and education focus area 11

FOOTSCRAY PARK

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

Donald Street housing demonstration site Council activiation sites Mobility Hub

STUDIO IZAK

VU Footscray Core Federal Street Masterplan

FOOTSCRAY HOSPITAL

Nicholson Street habitat spine Proposed safe cycle way Existing safe cycle way

NICHOLSON STREET

14 AD

Maribyrnong River FORMER LITTLE SAIGON MARKET

7 BARKLY STREET

Open space Train station

FOOTSCRAY STATION

10 UPD4001

Route 82 tram

Map: Imogen Ruberg

Railway

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Designed to care

STUDIO IZAK

Supporting a Footscray that cares for its community and their culture through buildings and places to achieve high quality of life outcomes through all stages of life.

The new Footscray Hospital and an upcoming innovation hub at Victoria University provide great amenity to Footscray at a great scale - a scale that is set to be replicated numerous times over amongst new developments as the area intensifies. A challenge presents itself in the overriding of the old, but opportunities can be found for the city to intensify while taking all components of its identity along with it.

Key Challenges

Opportunities

The scale of the new Footscray Hospital and Victoria University and their positioning at the CBD’s fringe makes the Health & Education Precinct behave as its own subcentre that is closed off from its surrounds. Footscray’s heritage overlay also doesn’t extend into the Activity Centre, meaning that this scale is set to be repeated at the cost of buildings that have defined Footscray’s visual identity through nineteenth to twentieth century architectural movements.

The need to densify provides an opportunity to ensure that not only is the current community retained, but especially key workers in the health and education sectors. If Footscray is to extend its longevity and improve its vitality, housing these people within the Activity Centre is essential. Not only would a 6% affordable housing minimum aid this goal, but finding ways to incentivise developers to exceed this goal (such as Floor Area Uplift) would further stabilise the presence of skilled individuals within the city.

While mid- to high-rise development will be necessary for the Maribyrnong local government area to meet its housing targets of 48,000 new dwellings by 2051, efforts must be made to retain the community’s attachment to place and ensure they aren’t displaced in the process.

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

The built form of the city itself can also be accommodated into the future with incentives for developers that integrate existing structures into future plans. But most of all, an opportunity presents itself for Footscray to define its own design language and the type of buildings and places that would best care for people going forward through an Design Excellence Program.

STUDIO IZAK

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IMAGES

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Designed to care IMAGES

Actions Health & Education Focus Area Footscray Activity Centre

Maribyrnong River Open Space

STUDIO IZAK

Railway Route 82 Tram

1 2 3

Federal Street Masterplan

Mandate 6% affordable housing contribution and introduce a Floor Area Uplift via a Built Form Overlay to encourage greater affordable housing contributions

ACZ Exclusion Site Heritage Overlay - various schedules

Preferred Heights Low-rise (1-3 st / 0-10m) Mid-rise (4-6 st / 10-20m)

Introduce a Design Excellence Program to promote and reward context-specific and caring design

Upper mid-rise (7-11 st / 20-35m) High-rise (12-20 st / 35-65m)

Deliver a demonstration site on the current Donald St carpark to showcase ideal future development in Footscray

by Adrian Del-Re

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Actions and precedents

STUDIO IZAK

Mandate 6% affordable housing contribution through a Special Use Zone, Comprehensive Development Zone, or Inclusionary Housing Overlay applied to the parts of the Activity Centre without heritage protections (pending Ministerial approval of course. Additionally, introduce Floor Area Uplift via a Built Form Overlay to encourage greater affordable housing contributions to exceed the mandated 6%.

Melbourne Planning Scheme Amendment C309 will implement the West Melbourne Structure Plan’s mandate of 6% social housing. It uses a Special Use Zone, Design and Development Overlay, local policy and value uplift mechanisms to secure this outcome.

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CR OOTS

Introduce a Design Excellence Program comprising three parts: • a Design Guide that outlines to developers what makes a great streetscape and Footscray-specific structure • a Design Review Panel who provide advice to developers to assist in the approval of their applications while ensuring excellent design outcomes • a Design Competition that invites developers and designers to submit proposals for sites and foster great outcomes.

The Donald Street carpark is a significant parcel of Council-owned land that has a preferred height limit of 8 storeys as stated in the Maribyrnong Planning Scheme, meaning that it carries the potential for great and ambitious change. Being on the Droop Street tram corridor towards the new Footscray Hospital and Victoria Univesity, an opportunity to provide additional housing in close proximity to health and education infrastructure should be seriously considered.

The Central Melbourne Design Guide provides guidance across six themes. Public Interface and Design Detail are two, which are relevant for Footscray with its closed storefronts and texturally misaligned developments of recent years.

Nightgale Village not only provides high-quality housing on a compact site, but with it, a suite of public realm offerings. A park, commercial activation at the ground, as well as social enterprise store Good Cycles (now relocated) just off the Upfield Bike Path. It is a great example of the ways in which a development can support the community in addition to housing.

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Honouring the pulse as it evolves

STUDIO IZAK

A Footscray that acknowledges its history while growing into its future as a health and education precinct A flourishing Footscray goes beyond health and support services - the health and education precinct needs to carve out its own identity and revitalise the crucial arteries of Droop Street and Nicholson Street to faciliate a fluid flow between the hospital and university, and the Footscray CBD. Its identity should be rooted in the concepts of community and care which includes activating Key challenges shopfronts and intiating creative and cultural There are over 50 closed/vacant shopfronts including a Vietnamese restaurant at the pivotal events with Victoria University. intersection of Droop and Nicholson Street and the run down shopping centre Westville Central, leading to a decrease in foot traffic, perceived safety and vibrancy.

Expand the Creative Places shopfront program and renew the Footscray University town strategy particularly along Droop Street by allowing creative or cultural businesses to operate at a low cost with a portion reserved for Victoria University students.

Large amounts of surface parking including the council owned Donald St carpark reducing land available for public space, housing, walkability and increasing the Urban Heat Island effect.

Utilise the Donald St carpark as an interim creative public space expanding on the Artsbox initiative in collaboration with Victoria University and opening up the use of school grounds to the public outside school hours.

Health and support services are spread out all around Footscray reducing walkability and creating a lack of precinct identity and difficulty navigating between different services.

Incentivise health and support services to be moved closer to the new Footscray hospital particularly on the northern end of Droop and Nicholson Street to cement the precinct’s health and education identity.

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Opportunities

Subtitle

STUDIO IZAK

IMAGES

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Honouring the pulse as it evolves IMAGES

Actions

Footscray High School Kinnear Campus

STUDIO IZAK

Victoria University Footscray Park Campus

Footscray Hospital

1 2 3

Redevelop Footscray University Town Strategy with Victoria University

Ballarat Road

Health and education focus area

Footscray activity centre Educational institutes

Implementing the ‘Opening the gate’ initiative in the Footscray schools with VicHealth

Vacant/empty sites Activation areas

Footscray Primary School

Federal Street masterplan site

Footscray High School Barkly Campus

Maribyrnong river Hopkins Street

Create a masterplan for Federal Street to establish the area as a health precinct

Open space Railway Route 82 tram Nicholson street spine

Victoria University Nicholson Campus

250

500 m

Map:Kate Chan

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

STUDIO IZAK

Actions and precedents 1

2 IMAGES

Photo: Victoria University

Photo: Footscray Primary School

Photo: Kate Chan

Partner with VU to utilise vacant spaces along Nicholson Street to bring campus life into the heart of the city connecting the Footscray Park campus with the Nicholson Street campus.

Open up the use of school grounds to the public outside school hours and implement festivals and markets in collaboration with VU and schools on the weekend.

Establish Federal Street as an emerging wellbeing hub with new housing and health and support services and the relocation of existing services from the old hospital.

RMIT PlaceLab in Brunswick is an urban research initiative that brings University researchers outside the campus and into local neighbourhoods to cocreate solutions for civic challenges.

The NSW Share our Space program opens up outdoor school spaces including playgrounds and sports fields during the term and school holidays to the public with almost 200 schools participating in the program.

The Murdoch Health and Knowledge precinct features a major affordable and social housing development known as Rise@Murdoch which includes 65 social homes and 148 affordable rentals aimed at key workers.

Photo: RMIT University

Photo: Infrastructure Victoria

Photo: WA Development

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Connected flowing arteries

STUDIO IZAK

A facility planning that integrates into the daily life of every resident in Footscray. An emerging thinking network for Footscray, built to move through urban form. Shorter waits, shorter walks — to station, to shop, to daily life.Better bus routes, better reliability. Less car, less congestion, less emission.Safe lanes, clear markings, visible at night.Bollards, belts, barriers — separating traffic, protecting people.Old roads renewed. Risks reduced.A transport environment that puts people first.

Opportunities

Key challenges It is found that some parts of the bicycle path are not set up reasonably, which may easily cause safety problems. Regarding the issue of pedestrian walkways, we found that some areas of the walkways have problems such as cracking and aging, which may pose certain safety hazards. Some of the streets in Footscray still have the problem of aging and unevenness. UPD4001

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Shorten the waiting time and the walking distance to the station to meet the daily commuting and shopping travel needs. Make up for the shortcomings of transportation stations, improve the layout of bus routes, and enhance the punctuality and operational efficiency of public transportation. Encourage residents to choose public transportation for their trips, reduce the use of private cars, lower congestion and exhaust emissions, and contribute to environmental protection. Install anti-collision bollards, green plant belts, or rubber barriers between the bike lane and parking spaces to separate motor vehicles from non-motorized traffic. Paint warning markings (e.g., “Look Before Opening”) and bike priority markings to remind drivers. Install reflective signs on night-time sections to make the bike lane more visible. Shift parking spaces outward and position the bike lane on the inner side. Eliminate hazards stemming from aging roads, damaged pavements, and poor drainage. Reduce accident risks and improve safety facilities for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles.

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

STUDIO IZAK

Connected flowing arteries The movement strategy prioritises walking, cycling and public transport to create a safer and more connected Health and Education Precinct. A protected cycling corridor along Nicholson Street links Victoria University campuses, Footscray Hospital and surrounding neighbourhoods, encouraging active transport and reducing car dependency. Pedestrian-priority routes on Ballarat Road, Newell Street and Paisley Street improve access to schools, public transport and community facilities. A new Mobility Hub and additional tram stops strengthen connections between different transport modes and improve accessibility throughout the precinct. Intersection upgrades and new signals enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists while supporting efficient movement across the activity centre. Together, these initiatives create a healthier, more liveable and sustainable transport network that supports Footscray’s future growth.

Map: Zhanyu Shen

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STUDIO IZAK

Actions and precedents Safe cycling infrastructure improves accessibility throughout the Footscray Health and Education Precinct by strengthening connections between Victoria University campuses, Footscray Hospital, schools and public transport services. Protected bike lanes reduce traffic conflicts and enhance safety for cyclists, particularly students, workers and local residents. By encouraging active travel, the proposal supports healthier lifestyles, lowers reliance on private vehicles and contributes to a more connected, sustainable and liveable activity centre. Introducing a Mobility Hub in Footscray, together with the strategies shown in the map — including the Nicholson Street cycling spine, the Droop Street tram corridor, pedestrian-priority streets, and connections to Victoria University campuses and the hospital precinct — represents more than a simple transport infrastructure upgrade. It functions as a key node for transforming the Activity Centre, improving public space quality, and strengthening social connectivity.

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

A place to breathe

STUDIO IZAK

Creating a breathable Footscray where ecologies are healthy and enable better care for its non-human and human life. The expansive Footscray Park and Maribyrnong River act as the lungs of Footscray. The Health & Education precinct will be a breathing system providing connection through to the park and river, and supporting an ecosystem of diverse species. The ground and soils will be nurtured by enabling deep soil, and shaded green spaces will encourage more people to linger. Allowing Footscray to breathe will connect residents with higher quality green spaces, provide habitat and home to the non-human and build care and resilience for Footscray as the climate intensifies.

Key challenges

Opportunities

Intensification has led to the loss of canopy on private land. Deep soil is also reduced, limiting the capacity to support large canopy trees. According to data produced by InCanopy, while the tree canopy in Footscray overall has increased since 2011 it has decreased on private land.

By protecting and expanding deep soil across private land the ground is able to breathe. This will enable larger canopy trees to establish within the precinct. Larger residential lots that haven’t undergone intensification provide the strongest opportunity to retain deep soil and large canopy trees.

Large areas of hardscape surfaces support minimal plant and animal species diversity. Without a diversity of habitat types the nonhuman world is not adequately cared for. Footscray Park and ‘lung’ is disconnected from its core and ‘heart’. A major intersection across State arterial roads creates a barrier between the precinct and the park; it took over 2 minutes just to cross the Geelong and Ballarat Road intersection.

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Creating a green spine down Nicholson Street connecting the park and Victoria University Footscray Park Campus in the north through Footscray’s heart to Victoria University Nicholson Street Campus in the south will strengthen a key connecting artery and provide a habitat corridor. Increasing species diversity and providing more habitat will allow a greater diversity of species to find home in Footscray. 54

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A place to breathe 2 MARIBYRNONG RIVER MIRRING-GNAY-BIR-NONG

Health and education focus area

Footscray Activity Centre

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

Supporting the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Whole of Country Plan

FOOTSCRAY PARK

2 3

Railway

Introduce low embodied carbon and increased deep soil extent in the proposed BFO

Route 82 tram Canopy tree - public land

Develop an deliver the Nicholson Street Spine habitat corridor masterplan

Catalyst project site Federal Street masterplan site Existing pedestrian connectivity

O O P

Increase connectivity to open space and greenery through the Federal Street Masterplan.

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Canopy tree - private land

Proposed pedestrian connectivity

Maribyrnong River Open space

FOOTSCRAY HOSPITAL

NICHOLSON ST

STUDIO IZAK

BARKLY ST

Map:Imogen Ruberg

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Actions and precedents

STUDIO IZAK

Source: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

Source:Monash University

Source:Melbourne Pollinator Corridor

Source:Imogen Ruberg

Listening to and supporting Inclusion of low embodied carbon Develop a masterplan for the Increase connectivity to open space the realisation of the goals and and increased deep soil extent canopy and habitat corridor along and greenery through the Federal aspirations of the Wurundjeri Woi- provisions within the proposed BFO. the Nicholson Street Spine Street Masterplan. wurrung people as outlined in the Whole of Country Plan. Collingwood Children’s Farm partners with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Narrap Rangers to restore the river frontage along the Birrarung.

The Freo Alternative is an amendment to the WA Residential Codes that aims to protect deep soil on private land as sites undergo intensification. F - ALT R 20 Two large units

Four small units

Streets for People, by Darebin City Council, reimagines local streets and introduces traffic calming measures. UNIT 1

Melbourne Pollinator Corridor brings native flora into residential streets encouraging native biodiversity.

The 3-30-300 rule sets minimum visibility and accessibility requirements for open space and greenery; at least 3 trees visible from every home, school and workplace, minimum 30% canopy cover and no more than 300 m from home to the nearest park.

Source:Melbourne Pollinator Corridor

Source:PlanIT Geo

UNIT 2 UNIT 3 UNIT 4 COMMON OPEN SPACE CARPORT/ DRIVEWAY/ VERANDAH/ BALCONY 0

LEFROY RD

Source:instagram @collingwoodchildrensfarm

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GROUND

FIRST

FIRST LEFROY RD

GROUND

Source:Original diagram by Henry Project;altered by Imogen Ruberg for this report.

Source:Darebin City Council

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

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How will we get there? UPD4001

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Implementation timeline How and when will the key moves be achieved? Short

Medium

Long

2026

2051

Designed to care Design guide and design excellence

REGULATE

Built Form Overlay with Floor Area

REGULATE

1 scheme

STUDIO IZAK

2 Ratios with Floor Area Uplift scheme. 3 Donald Street Housing Demonstration

INVEST

Honouring the pulse as it evolves Strategic land use and social housing

4 provision in BFO Street Masterplan - healthy 5 Federal living precint Footscray University Town 6 Redevelop strategy. 7 Open schools and school streets

REGULATE ADVOCATE INVEST INVEST AND ADVOCATE

Connected, flowing arteries Public realm upgrades and FAR uplift

REGULATE

8 incentives within BFO Pedestrian experience upgrades on 9 Droop St 10 Paisley Street Mobility Hub 11 Expanded safe cycling network

INVEST AND ADVOCATE INVEST AND ADVOCATE INVEST

A place to breathe Supporting the Wurundjeri

12 Woi-wurrung Whole of Country Plan

INVEST AND ADVOCATE

Low embodied carbon and increased

13 deep soil extent in BFO

REGULATE

14 Nicholson St habitat corridoe masterplan INVEST

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Staging plan: Short term Key first moves to implement actions Develop a design guide and

scheme Identify catalyst site to open 6 and implement Nicholson Commons. Work with the University to define the vision for the site and work with the landowner for a long term lease. Open up the use of school 7 grounds to the public and implement festivals and markets in collaboration with VU and schools Define expectations for naming 12 in key local government documents. Develop a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung endorsed engagement model to be incorporated into local government processes and stakeholder management frameworks.

Short term 1 12

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

FOOTSCRAY PARK

6 Health & education focus area

FOOTSCRAY HOSPITAL

Footscray Activity Centre 14

Route 82 tram Maribyrnong River Building footprint

Railway NICHOLSON STREET

STUDIO IZAK

1 introduce a design excellence

Open space

6 FORMER LITTLE SAIGON MARKET

7 BARKLY STREET

100

200 m

FOOTSCRAY STATION

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Map:Imogen Ruberg

TO VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Staging plan: Medium term Key moves to be developed and introduced over the next 3 to 5 years Introduce

the

Built

Form

2 Overlay with Floor Area Uplift incentive scheme Masterplan for the Donald St carpark Futre Footscray Demonstration Site

12 13

Introduce a strategic land use

4 and social housing provision in the BFO

1 2

11 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

Introduce public realm upgrades via Floor Area uplift incentives within the BFO

public realm upgrades 9 Deliver along Droop St corridor Expand the existing cycling and designate Nicholson Street as a key bicycle priority route Support the development of 12 a framework for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung principles for biodiversity planning, EM planning and climate change adaptation planning. Introduce of lower embodied 13 carbon incentives and increased deep soil extent provisions within the BFO

FOOTSCRAY PARK

Health & education focus area

FOOTSCRAY HOSPITAL

Footscray Activity Centre

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Railway

11 network

Maribyrnong River Building footprint

Route 82 tram

NICHOLSON STREET

STUDIO IZAK

Medium term

Open space

6 7

FORMER LITTLE SAIGON MARKET

BARKLY STREET

100

200 m

FOOTSCRAY STATION

TO VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

Map:Imogen Ruberg

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Staging plan: Long term Long term moves to create a living, breathing, caring Footscray Deliver

the Donald St Futre Footscray Demonstration Site Advocate to State Government 5 to acquire the buildings in the Federal Street area and develop a masterplan to create the Federal Street wellbeing hub Deliver a Paisley Street 10 mobility hub Restore the urban billabongs 12 and waterways of the Mirringgnay-bir-nong as cultural landscape Nicholson Street Spine 14 established as a habitat corridor with diverse native ecologies Advocate for the State 15 Government or acquire and develop a master plan for Federal Street incorporating better connections through to open space and habitat.

Long term 1 2 12 13 4 8

11 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

12 FOOTSCRAY PARK

6 Health & education focus area

FOOTSCRAY HOSPITAL

Footscray Activity Centre

5 AD

Route 82 tram Maribyrnong River Building footprint

Railway NICHOLSON STREET

STUDIO IZAK

3 carpark

Open space

6 7

FORMER LITTLE SAIGON MARKET

BARKLY STREET

100

200 m

FOOTSCRAY STATION

TO VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

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Map:Imogen Ruberg

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Staging and responsibilities How and who will deliver the proposed actions? Action

Type

Responsible

Stakeholders

Staging

STUDIO IZAK

Designing for care Mandate 6% affordable housing minimum through zoning or overlay amendments, pending Ministerial approval

Advocate

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning Developers Key Workers Locals, particularly migrants/CALD backgrounds

Short Compile a report to determine and highlight the necessity for affordable housing within the Footscray Activity Centre - comprising housing targets, growth projections, vulnerable communities Medium Engage with Planning Minister to seek a rezoning or overlay applied to non-heritage protected areas of the Activity Centre, culminating in an Amendment (such as Amendment C309 for West Melbourne) to enact goals stipulated in report

Implement a Built Form Overlay to incentivise developers to provide affordable housing in addition to 6% minimum

Advocate

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning Developers Key Workers Locals, particularly migrants/CALD backgrounds Long-standing residents

Short (Include in above report) Determine and highlight the necessity for heritage retention, but also refer to local case studies where heritage has been protected and built upon. Reference to additional studies, such as those into place attachment by environmental psychologists, should also be included. Medium Engage with Planning Minister to get approval for this overlay and within it include FAU for developers that exceed the 6% affordable housing minimum

Implement a Design Excellence Program

Regulate

Maribyrnong City Council

Maribyrnong City Council Developers Builders Planners Designers Architects Key Workers

Short The creation of a Design Guide for Footscray Activity Centre should be the first component developed. It should stipulate good urban and building design, focused not only on building quality, but contributions to the public realm for faster approval of applications by Maribyrnong Council. Medium Engage with architects, builders, urban planners and designers, as well as representatives from Footscray like healthcare workers to form a Design Review Panel for major sites/projects. Competitions for construction on significant sights can also be drafted to seek most characteristically-aligned outcomes.

Deliver a demonstration site on current Donald St carpark

Invest

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning Developers Builders

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning Developers Builders Business Owners Key Workers Local residents Mature trees/Country

Short Develop a proposal for the site, aligned with health determinants. The proposal should retain as much open space for community benefit as well as all mature trees on site (as a minimum). The proposal should contain strong visual material and draw the site’s character from Footscray’s surrounds. Long Convert the current carpark into an exemplar demonstration of what intensifying Footscray could look like if determinants of health are considered. At least 50% of all housing should be affordable and made available exclusively available to key workers, an additional 20% affordable, and remaining 30% private sale. Engage with local artists for the development of a playground/community activation space in centre of site. Engage with business owners to provide culturally-relevant commercial and social enterprise offerings at the ground plane.

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Staging and responsibilities How and who will deliver the proposed actions?

Action

Type

Responsible

Stakeholders

Staging

A place to breathe Invest and advocate

Maribyrnong City Council with Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Corporation

Narrap Team at Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Corporation (Natural Resources Services) Melbourne Water State Government

STUDIO IZAK

Listening to and supporting the realisation of the goals and aspirations of the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people as outlined in the Whole of Country Plan.

Short Define expectations for naming in key local government documents. Development of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung endorsed engagement model incorporated into local government processes and stakeholder management frameworks. Medium Support development of overarching framework for Wurundjeri Woiwurrung principles for biodiversity planning, EM planning and climate change adaptation planning. Long Restoration of urban billabongs and waterways as cultural landscapes - the Mirring-gnay-bir-nong.

Inclusion of lower embodied carbon incentives and increased deep soil extent provisions within the BFO

Regulate

Maribyrnong City Council (Planning and Environment Directorate)

Maribyrnong City Council: City Development, City Futures and City Sustainability Department of Transport and Planning Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment Developers ESD consultants

Short to medium Introduce lower embodied carbon incentives and increased deep soil extent provisions within the proposed BFO.

Deliver the habitat corridor along Nicholson Street Spine

Invest

Maribynrong City Council (Planning and Environment Directorate)

Maribyrnong City Council: Assets and Capital Engineering and Transport Parks and Gardens City Sustainability

Short Develop a masterplan for the Nicholson Street Spine

Maribynrong City Council (Planning and Environment Directorate)

State Government Local residents and businesses Footscray Hospital Affordable housing providers

Increase connectivity to open space and greenery through the Federal Street Masterplan.

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Advocate

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Medium to long Deliver a habitat corridor along the Nicholson Street Spine including native understory planting, expanded landscaping and traffic calming measures, swale and water sensitive urban design measures and create a connected green corridor between Footscray Park through the core and on to the VU Footscray Nicholson Campus. Long Advocate for the State Government or acquire and develop a master plan for Federal Street incorporating better connections through to open space and habitat.

Action

Type

Responsible

Stakeholders

Staging

STUDIO IZAK

Honouring the pulse as it evolves Redevelop Footscray University Town strategy. Partner with Victoria University to utilise vacant spaces along Nicholson Street between the Footscray Park and Nicholson campuses to bring campus life into the heart of Footscray.

Invest

Victoria University Maribyrnong City Council

University students Local residents Neighbouring businesses

Implementing cultural and arts festivals, markets, use of sporting grounds for the public in collaboration with VU, Footscray Primary School and Footscray High School campuses

Invest and advocate

Victoria University Vic Health Maribyrnong City Council Footscray Primary School Footscray High School

University students School students School parents Local residents Department of Education

Short Collaborate with Vic Health and the schools and VU to determine what areas will be open to the public and the times, and create a plan to manage mixed-use and ensure the safety of everyone

Create a masterplan for the Federal street area to relocate existing and open new medical practices to be closer to the new Footscray hospital and introduce new housing

Advocate

Maribyrnong City Council Footscray Hospital Department of Transport and Planning

State Government Hospital staff Hospital patients Local residents

Long Advocate to State Government to acquire the buildings in the Federal Street area and develop a masterplan to create the Federal Street wellbeing hub

Short Identify catalyst site to open and implement Nicholson Commons. Work with the University to define the vision for the site and work with the landowner for a long term lease. Medium Continue to occupy vacant sites along Nicholson Street and finalise a new Footscray University Town masterplan.

Connecting centres through flowing arteries Introducing a Mobility Hub in Footscray

Regulate and Invest

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning Victoria University

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning.Locals, particularly migrants/CALD backgrounds. University students School students School parents

Long connections to Victoria University campuses and the hospital precinct

Safe cycling infrastructure

Invest and Advocate

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning Victoria University

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning.Locals, particularly migrants/CALD backgrounds University students School students School parents

Short Protected bike lanes reduce traffic conflicts and enhance safety for cyclists Long Encouraging active travel. The proposal supports healthier lifestyles, lowers reliance on private vehicles and contributes to a more connected, sustainable and liveable activity centre.

New signals

Invest

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning

Maribyrnong City Council Department of Transport and Planning.Locals, University students School students School parents

Short Establish a traffic light system to alleviate traffic congestion while ensuring the safety of residents.

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Nicholson Street Spine

STUDIO IZAK

How will Nicholson Street evolve along its spine? The Nicholson Street Spine becomes a key artery connecting VU campuses, Footscray Hospital and Footscray Park through the core. The Spine consists five key character areas; the southern Work and Gather area adjoining the VU Footscray Nicholson campus, Little Africa and the arrival to Footscray’s beating heart, the central core, Nicholson Commons and VU activated shop fronts and, the northern heritage dwelling and native gardens area adjacent to Footscray Park. A habitat corridor will run along the Spine with canopy, native understory plantings, a swale and water sensitive urban design measures creating care for Footscray’s non-human inhabitants.

Donald Street Future Footscray Demonstration Site

VU Nicholson

Footscray Hospital VU Footscray Park

Footscray Park

Work & gather

Little Africa

Central core

Nicholson Commons

Heritage dwellings & native gardens

Habitat corridor connecting VU campuses, Footscray Hospital, Footscray Park through its core

Traffic calming measures and a dedicated bicycle priority route will improve pedestrian and cyclist experience along the route, acting as a key connection between the campuses and linking into the existing Maribyrnong shared pathway.

Traffic calmed and cyclist priority route Diagram:Imogen Ruberg

Nicholson Commons adds to Footscray’s beating heart bringing students into the core and providing welcoming spaces for Footscray’s diverse community. UPD4001

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Endemic species planting Catalyst Masterplan

100 m

Acacia implexa

STUDIO IZAK

Atriplex semibaccata

Themeda triandra

Hardenbergia violacea Corymbia ficifolia Eucalyptus leucoxylon Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Water sensitive urban design

B Source: CRC for Water Sensitive Cities

Source: Andrew Lloyd

Source: David Lloyd/ SWA Group

Traffic calming measures and bike priority street

C Source: Darebin City Council

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Landscaping/ swale Street raised to pedestrian height Footpath

Source: Kotobuki

Victoria University activation of vacant lots

C Footscray Activity Centre Tree on public land Tree on private land Droop St tram super stop

Source: Fietsberaad

VU activated shop fronts Council activated Little Saigon Market site Donald St housing demonstration site

10 m

Map and diagrams:Imogen Ruberg

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Source: PlacelabRMIT

Source: Shannon McGrath

Source: balambalamplace.com.au

Existing conditions: Northern residential and northern core The northern section of Nicholson Street is characterised by a hostile intersection at Geelong Road and Ballarat Road.

Footscray Park Footscray Hospital

1 2

STUDIO IZAK

Nicholson Street

7 4

Barkly Street

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A painted bike lane runs on each side of the street with parallel parking along each side. Large canopy trees stand on both sides of the street but without any understory planting or opportunity for soils to breathe. Within the core, south of the Donald Street ring road, parking on both sides of the road limits the pedestrian experience in a higher activity area.

Source: Nearmap

8 FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

9 Images: Imogen Ruberg

STUDIO IZAK

Proposed: Habitat corridor and traffic calmed residential street The northern section of the Nicholson Spine will be characterised by heritage dwellings, native front gardens and large canopy trees. Nicholson Street becomes a bicycle priority street with residential car access. Traffic calming measures will be introduced at intersections and along the street by narrowing and raising the street height to the pedestrian height at key intervals and expanding the landscaped area. A continuous green spine and swale will run the length of the spine creating a habitat corridor and allowing for a greater diversity of ecologies to exist.

Diagrams: Imogen Ruberg B

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Source: Nearmap

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

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1: Westville Central

2: Westville Central

3: Vacant Optometrist Images: Kate Chan

4: Little Saigon Site

Nicholson Street

STUDIO IZAK

Existing conditions: Nicholson Street core

o Dr

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Source: Nearmap

The central section of Nicholson Street is characterised by the busy intersection between Droop and Barkly Street. However foot traffic past this section quietens as you pass many vacant lots and buildings including the Little Saigon Site and Westville Central. There is vibrancy on the street through several Vietnamese owned businesses including a busy restaurant. FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Proposed: Vacant buildings along Nicholson Street in the CBD will be occupied by Victoria University acting as connective issues between the two campuses.

IMAGES

STUDIO IZAK

Phase 1 will see the occupation of the front facing shop in Westville Central opposite the Little Saigon Site to become an urban research lab called ‘Nicholson Commons’. Unlike VU Metrowest which ran from 2014-2021, Nicholson Commons will have large windows showcasing the activities occuring inside. In future staging, other vacant buildings which have been identified including a former optometrist will also be occupied, with the opportunity to bring teaching and work experience to these sites.

NICHOLSON COMMONS Transparent Floor to Ceiling Window

Transparent Floor to Ceiling Window

Colllage:Kate Chan Collage:Kate Chan

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

STUDIO IZAK

The spine is part of the renewal of the Footscray University Town strategy between Maribyrnong City Council and Victoria University.

The purposes of Nicholson Commons have been governed by our vision and strategies. The Knowledge & Research section will see an Urban Research lab run by Victoria University (VU) staff and students similar to RMIT Placelab in partnership with community, councils and industry to co-create hyper-local solutions for Footscray including housing, sustainability and the creative arts. The findings of the research will be presented to the community in the form of public lectures. In the Ecology & Wellbeing section, Iramoo Nusery, which is located in VU’s St Alban’s campus, will test the growth of native plants in Footscray as well as a partnership with Footscray Hospital to run multilingual workshops for the community. The third section, Heritage & Exchange will have a community library focusing on Footscray and western Melbourne’s history as well as Indigenous oral histories. Lastly, the Community & Culture section will see exhibitions run by VU students as well as cultural workshops and festivals for the community. UPD4001

Nicholson Commons Community Yarn & Dinner

Wednesdays 26 th M ay 7 pm-9 pm

Knowledge & Research

VU Iramoo Nursery Native Planting Ecology & Wellbeing

Scan the QR Code to Register

VU Public Lectures

VU Urban Research Studios

Exhibitions

NICHOLSON COMMONS

Community & Culture

Cultural Workshops & Festivals

Footscray Hospital Health Workshops

Heritage & Exchange

nicholsoncommons.org

Community Library

Oral Histories

Poster:Kate Chan

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Future Footscray Demonstration Site The current ~2900m² Council-owned site sits at the corner of Donald and Droop Streets between the Footscray CBD and the new Footscray Hospital. It caters to over 70 private vehicles for the nearby Barkly Street retail and hospitality strip and is home to 21 eucalyptus trees. Allowance for developments to reach up to 10 storeys have been allowed on the site as per the Maribyrnong Planning Scheme.

Donald Street

Our Future Footscray Demonstration Site transforms the carpark through the lens of social, environmental, and built form health determinants into a site of care, by: • Designating 50% of dwellings as affordable and exclusive to key workers, for their retention in the area • Another 20% percent will be additional affordable housing and the remaining 30% for private sale • Retaining 40% open space on the site and tearing up the tarmac to open up deep soil • Retaining all trees taller than 10m and more if possible • Creating new pedestrian connections through the site that seamlessly connect to the Emma Street art corridor • Closing off Blackston Street to personal vehicles to create a safe pedestrian environment.

Droop Street

Legend Existing Building Proposed Building Proposed Height (Storeys) Playground

Blackston Street (Loading Only)

Commercial Active Front

re et

(L an e

)

Open Space

Community Active Front

STUDIO IZAK

From cars to community, this Council-owned site on Donald Street aims to give back to the people of Footscray in spades.

Retained Tree (>10m) New Tree Pedestrian Connection Fully Separated Bike Lane Route 82 Tram future superstop

Multideck Parking

by Adrian Del-Re

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

STUDIO IZAK

Existing conditions: Council Owned Donald Street Carpark

Imogen Ruberg UPD4001

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

Proposed: A future Footscray housing, community and landscape demonstration site The retention of all existing trees taller than 10 metres which have been collecting carbon for decades. This is particularly important in Melbourne’s west which suffers from a lack of greening and pollution from the nearby West Gate Tunnel and a recent increase in data centres. Additional tree planting will bring the site in line with the State Government’s Greening the West initiative and the canopy will keep the space cool for a climate resilient future.

by Adrian Del-Re

STUDIO IZAK

IMAGES Affordable housing is the core focus of this site, with at least 50% reserved for Key Workers to ensure the people who keep Footscray’s hospital, clinics, schools, and social services are cared for in return and that the city never loses them. Another 20% of dwellings will be affordable with the remaining 30% available for private purchase. This development from Assemble also highlights how heritage can be retained and built upon to maintain place attachment while helping Maribyrnong to meet its high housing targets, and also reduces the amount of embodied carbon in their construction.

Rocks On Wheels by Mike Hewson serves as inspiration for a new playground, created from the materials of Footscray’s demolished heritage sites.

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Culturally-specific commercial activation at the ground plane, such as Braid Bar on Dennis St, that not only empowers migrants from diverse communities to remain in Footscray, but serves the equally diverse needs of its community.

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

A social enterprise space like Good Cycles at Nightgale Village (now relocated) will offer amenity to the surrounding community and offer a space where likeminded people can meet. Located next to the fullyseparated Donald St Bike Path as Nightgale is to the Upfield Bike Path, a service such as this will be of great benefit.

Reflections

STUDIO IZAK

What does this project mean for Footscray and beyond?

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FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

STUDIO IZAK

This project conceptualises Footscray as a living system where its core, education and health precinct, parklands and connecting corridors act as vital organs sustaining the community’s capacity to be cared for. Urban form is not just a spatial outcome but a determinant of health and quality of life. When every part of the system is cared for, the whole can flourish. For Footscray, this means as the population grows and the urban fabric evolves there is opportunity to strengthen the systems that sustain life. Growth can still retain the key workers, students and migrant communities that contribute to Footscray’s pulse. Streets can open up to neighbourhoods, encourage active transport and provide more care for non-human inhabitants. Soils and canopy can be expanded and the built form can ensure it brings care. Treating social and environmental determinants of health as foundational for planning offers a more resilient and caring pathway to liveability where ecosystems and cultural landscapes are celebrated and restored.

Collage by Imogen Ruberg UPD4001

FOOTSCRAY HEALTH & EDUCATION PRECINCT

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STUDIO IZAK

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City of Maribyrnong. “Community Engagement Policy.” 2021. https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/About/Governance-and-Council-Information/ Community-Engagement-Policy. City of Maribyrnong. “Footscray CBD Place Plan.” 2025. https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Community/Discover-Maribyrnong/Experience-Maribyrnong/ Shopping-and-Entertainment/Footscray-Central-Business-District-Shopping-Precinct/Footscray-CBD-Place-Plan-2025-26.

STUDIO IZAK

City of Maribyrnong. “Footscray University Town.” 2020. City of Maribyrnong. “Lease and Licence Policy.” 2017. https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/About/Governance-and-Council-Information/Lease-andLicence-Policy. City of Maribyrnong. “Maribyrnong Maribyrnong-2040.

2040

Community

Plan.”

2018. https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/About/Our-plans-and-performance/

City of Maribyrnong. “Maribyrnong Creative Places Pilot Program 2024–2025.” 2025. https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/arts-and-culture/Programs/ Maribyrnong-Creative-Places-Pilot-Program-2024-2025. City of Maribyrnong. “Maribyrnong Extreme Heat Sub-Plan.” 2020. https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Residents/Emergency-Management/EmergencyManagement-Planning. City of Maribyrnong. “Open Space 2023 Update.” 2023. https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Building-and-Planning/Planning-Services/Current-andfuture-planning/Strategies-Plans-and-Policies/Open-Space-Strategy. City of Maribyrnong. “Tree Management Policy and Guidelines.” 2017. https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Building-and-Planning/Planning-Services/ Current-and-future-planning/Strategies-Plans-and-Policies/Tree-Management-Policy-and-Guidelines. City of Maribyrnong and Jill Barnard. “Maribyrnong River Heritage Trail.” 2008. https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Community/Discover-Maribyrnong/ Our-history-and-heritage/Heritage-Trails-and-Walks. Commission on So cial Determinants of Health. Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health Equity through Action on the Social Determinants of Health. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2008. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/43943. UPD4001

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Department of Transport and Planning. Mid-Rise Code Guidelines. Melbourne: Department of Transport and Planning, 2026. https://www.planning.vic. gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0037/767836/Mid-Rise-Code-Guidelines.pdf. Fewtrell, Lorna, and David Kay. “An Attempt to Quantify the Health Impacts of Flooding in the UK Using an Urban Case Study.” Public Health 122, no. 5 (2008): 446–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2007.09.010. The Fifth Estate. “On WA’s Housing Crisis Solutions and Pulling Trees Out of the Ground.” May 9, 2024. https://thefifthestate.com.au/columns/news-fromthe-front-desk/on-was-housing-crisis-solutions-and-pulling-trees-out-of-the-ground/. Flavel, Joanne, Martin McKee, Fisaha Haile Tesfay, Connie Musolino, Toby Freeman, Helen van Eyk, and Fran Baum. “Explaining Health Inequalities in Australia: The Contribution of Income, Wealth and Employment.” Australian Journal of Primary Health 28, no. 6 (2022): 474–81. https://doi.org/10.1071/ PY21285.

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Mavoa, Suzanne, Melanie Davern, Martin Breed, and Amy Hahs. “Higher Levels of Greenness and Biodiversity Associate with Greater Subjective Wellbeing in Adults Living in Melbourne, Australia.” Health & Place 57 (2019): 321–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.05.006. Miller, Leroy. Royal Assent and Treaty Signing Ceremony, Government House, Victoria. November 13, 2025. Photograph. First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. Accessed April 18, 2026. https://firstpeoplesvic.org/news/australias-first-treaty-signed-in-victoria/. Murray, Shane, Nigel Bertram, Diego Ramirez-Lovering, Lee-Anne Khor, Barend Meyer, and Nicholas Ashby. Infill Opportunities Design Research Report. Melbourne: Monash University, 2011. https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/2992711/Infill_Opportunities_-_Design_Research_ Report_-_FINAL2.pdf. Ness, Patrick, and Paul Curry. “The Healing Power of Place – In Conversation with Patrick Ness and Paul Curry.” COX, 2024. https://www.coxarchitecture. com.au/perspective/the-healing-power-of-place-in-conversation-with-patrick-ness-and-paul-curry/.

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Planning Project 1: Anatomy of a Living Precinct Report