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Phase one engagement update

From 10 November to 14 December 2025, the community was invited to share their ideas on the future of Footscray Park to help inform a review of the Footscray Park Master Plan (2011).

Feedback could be shared online using a survey on Your City Your Voice, by email or phone directly to the Recreation and Open Space team, by attending an in-person event, or by completing a postcard and sending to Council via reply-paid postage.

Overall, the engagement highlighted a strong desire to see Footscray Park enhanced as a greener, more comfortable, inclusive and connected place, while protecting its heritage, environmental values and role as a calm and welcoming public park.

The future of the playspace was a key area of interest and discussion. While views differed on where a playspace should be located, the feedback clearly demonstrates the importance of high-quality play opportunities for families and young people.

You can learn more by reading the attached Engagement Summary Report, visiting the online ideas wall or ideas map below.

Council will present the draft Master Plan for feedback in the second half of 2026.

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Background information

Footscray Park Master Plan Review

Tell us what you’d like Footscray Park to look like in the future

We’re reviewing the 2011 Footscray Park Master Plan to guide how this park is managed into the future.

As our population grows and more people use these spaces for sport, recreation and relaxation, we want to make sure they offer a balance of recreation opportunities for everyone.

Why we're reviewing the Plan

In December 2023, Council decided to close the Footscray Park Playspace and consider alternative locations for a new playspace. Council also committed to a full review of the master plan to ensure that it reflects current needs and future opportunities.

What we're looking at

We’re considering how to:

  • keep the park functioning well and easy to manage
  • improve vehicle, cycling and pedestrian links between key destinations
  • enhance both active and passive recreation opportunities
  • balance high visitor use with protecting the park's environment and heritage design
  • improve access to peaceful riverside areas for the growing community
  • build in sustainability, climate resilience and safety principles (ESD and CPTED).

What the updated Master Plan will include

The updated master plan will explore:

  • a mix of community facilities and recreation spaces for both structured and casual use
  • ways to support a range of visitors – from everyday users, to event-goers and to first time visitors
  • options for the relocation of the Footscray Park Playspace
  • use of SMART technology to collect data and guide future park planning
  • opportunities for revenue generation to help maintain and improve the park.

Footscray Park

Bordered by the Maribyrnong River, Ballarat Road and Victoria University, the Park has been a place for public enjoyment since 1911. It’s recognised for its heritage design, beautiful trees, ponds, stone features and its overall landscape excellence.

Satellite image of Footscray Park and surrounds.

Fast facts

Did you know?

  • Designed over 100 years ago, Footscray Park is one of the largest and most intact examples of an Edwardian park in Australia – noted for its botanical collection, ornamental ponds, winding paths, and garden structures.

    One of the first gardens to be placed on the Victorian Heritage Register, it is recognised for its aesthetic, horticultural, and social significance.

  • Widely recognised as the "People's Park", Footscray Park was established following lobbying by local residents with the Footscray Park Beautification Committee formed to support its development. Much of the work was done by volunteers, including local Boy Scouts with many of the structures including arbours, bridges, and ponds constructed by unemployed Victorians during the Depression.

  • Footscray Park has been the place to be on New Year's Eve since 2012. Over the years residents and visitors alike have danced the night away to Aussie rock legends such as Regurgitator, Mental As Anything, and Jebediah. Every November residents also traditionally gather on 'Scotchman's Hill' to get a glimpse of the Melbourne Cup across the Maribyrnong River.

  • Footscray Park is home to many beautiful features:

    • stone walls and wrought iron gates at the Ballarat Road entrance
    • a World War I memorial unveiled in 1922
    • stone-columned lookout shelter and pergola, designed and built by students from Footscray Technical School in 1928
    • a mounted bust of Henry Lawson honouring the Australian poet and writer
    • T.B. Drew Memorial Walk through a wisteria-covered arbor to Thomson Water Garden
    • Alfred Green Memorial Fountain known locally known as the "platypus fountain"

Park history

  • 1909: The park is designated as a public space.
  • 1911: Architect Rodney Alsop wins a design competition for the park's layout.

1916–1964: David Mathews serves as the Superintendent of Parks and Gardens for the City of Footscray, overseeing much of the park's development.

A World War I memorial featuring an Italian-sculpted marble statue of Victory is unveiled at the Park's entrance.

Designed and built by students from Footscray Technical School, a rustic stone-columned lookout shelter and pergola is constructed. The lookout offers views toward the Maribyrnong River and Flemington Racecourse.

Footscray Park begins hosting annual New Year's Eve fireworks displays and celebrations along the banks of the Maribyrnong River, becoming the second-largest New Year's Eve event in Melbourne after the CBD celebrations.

Project background

The 1998 Footscray Park Master Plan was a significant document laying the groundwork for various improvements to the Park’s access, use and overall amenity.

The Master Plan, including a Conservation Study, was prepared as part of the Maribyrnong Regional Parklands Study – a joint initiative between Parks Victoria, Moonee Valley City Council and Maribyrnong City Council.

The 2011 Master Plan was produced following a review of the 1998 Footscray Park Master Plan and incorporated a range of actions to improve the access, use and amenity of the parkland.

The 2011 Master Plan Vision for Footscray Park was “A people’s park where the Park’s heritage, landscape and recreational assets are once again the focus of life in Maribyrnong".

Projects that formed the staged implementation of the 2011 Master Plan included:

  • reconstruction of the Western Lawn to re-establish community use of the area
  • new all-abilities regional playspace (removed in 2024-25) and public toilet
  • additional sheltered barbecue and picnic facilities along the river trail
  • stair and path connection to Mills Close
  • formalisation of the Maribyrnong Boulevard carpark and transplant of mature palms from under the high voltage power lines
  • gateway signage at the Moore Street entrance.

In 2019, an updated draft Footscray Park Master Plan was developed in light of a proposal from Melbourne Victory Football Club (MVFC) to develop a Football Academy (the Academy) at the site.

Following community consultation, which included strong opposition to the MVFC proposal, Council rejected the Academy proposal and reverted to continuing the implementation of the 2011 Master Plan.

Following the October 2022 flood event, the Western Lawn underwent a multi-million dollar upgrade. Works included site excavation and soil replacement to allow new turf to flourish on a site that has had problems due to high saline content in the soil. Irrigation and drainage upgrades were undertaken to ensure the Lawn can continue to be used for future community events.

Following two tragic drowning incidents and damage during the 2022 flood event, in December 2023 Council determined to close the playspace and investigate an alternative location for a regional playspace.

In November 2024:

  • fixtures, structures and items that were reusable were dismantled and salvaged
  • all remaining elements were demolished and removed from site
  • the space will be returned as an open lawn area.

Council appointed community and stakeholder representatives to a new Footscray Park Master Plan Review Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) at the September 2024 Council Meeting.

The Advisory Committee will support a review of the Master Plan and provide advice and guidance to Council around future planning and decision-making.

The Committee, guided by a Terms of Reference, aims to ensure the views and aspirations of all users are considered.

We acknowledge we are on the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation and offer our respect to their Elders and through them to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples past, present, and emerging.

Translation and support

Council can arrange a telephone
interpreter for you on 9688 0200

TIS: 131 450

NRS: 133 677 or 1300 555 727
www.relayservice.com.au

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Contact Information
Name Community Engagement Team
Phone (03) 9688 0200
Email communityengagement@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
Website www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/