The City of Footscray, now Maribyrnong, was one of the first areas of Melbourne to be settled by Europeans.

Before settlement, Aboriginal peoples had gathered along the Maribyrnong River Valley which has been their home, since time immemorial. Today, our City still holds these rich histories through the stories of its people, remnants of the natural environment, its built form, and archaeological artefacts.

Council is one of the many custodians of this history responsible for managing and protecting heritage assets for future generations to enjoy. Since 2002, Council's heritage management has been guided by its inaugural Heritage Plan. Twenty years later, with significant changes in legislation, technology and demographics - as well as a shift in values - a new heritage strategy is required to deliver improved outcomes for our community.

To support its development, in early 2022, we engaged with Traditional Owners, non-government organisations and the broader community, and undertook an internal review of the current heritage plan (2002).

Through this process a number of challenges with heritage management were highlighted such as recognising and protecting our Indigenous and culturally diverse heritage and balancing heritage protection with population growth and development.

We have also identified 11 key opportunities for potential inclusion in our future heritage strategy to address these challenges.

We are sharing these learnings in the attached challenges and opportunities paper, and asking for your feedback to help ensure the foundation for the next ten years of heritage management aligns with your values.

Join the conversation

Check out the interactive image below to learn more about these opportunities, provide feedback via our feedback form online, or by downloading a hard copy from the document library, or attend a local heritage event to help shape how we protect and manage heritage over the next ten years.

Achievements from the Maribyrnong Heritage Plan (2002)

Visit our Heritage Hub to for more information and resources about heritage in our city.

During our first community conversation, you shared with us your heritage aspirations and told us what you believed was worth valuing and protecting into the future. Feedback from this initial conversation has helped inform the 11 key opportunities we are proposing for future heritage management.

Some quotes gathered from our first community conversation:

The Heritage Feedback Form will help us gather targeted feedback on the key opportunities for improvement in future heritage management.

We have narrowed our focus to 11 opportunities. It's important we get this right - as these will form the basis of our new strategy and will develop into measurable actions. If you would rather provide feedback in writing, download a hard copy form from the document library and return it via email or post (instructions included in the form). Feedback closes midnight, 14 May 2023.

We are also supporting a number of heritage events designed to educate and celebrate our unique heritage. Come along to one of these events to learn more and talk to us in person about the new heritage strategy.