The Old Hospital That’s Become a Battleground in Melbourne’s West

The old hospital in Melbourne’s west has become a contentious issue, with community members and the state government at odds over its future use. At stake is at least 3.5 hectares of land that the Reimagining Old Footscray Hospital group wants to see transformed into parkland under a council-created plan.

This demand may seem modest, but it’s part of a larger concern: the lack of transparency in the state government’s draft master plan. The community group claims that the plan lacks basic information, such as how many homes will be built and what type of social infrastructure will be included. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the kind of development that will shape Footscray’s future.

The tension between the community and the state government reflects a deeper issue: the way major redevelopment projects are handled in Melbourne. The old hospital site, with its rich history, is one of the last major publicly owned redevelopment opportunities in the city’s inner west. Yet, the master plan seems to prioritize building townhouses over other needs.

Representatives from the state government’s urban planning arm have assured group members that they will focus on building townhouses. However, this doesn’t address the community’s concerns about social infrastructure and projected population growth. It also raises questions about the decision-making process behind this project. Who gets to decide what kind of development happens in Footscray, and why?

The history of the site is complex, with local residents donating their own money to start the hospital many years ago. Now, the government wants to sell it off and put it into its own balance sheet. This isn’t just about economics; it’s also about community ownership and the values that come with it.

Footscray’s Labor MP, Katie Hall, has attempted to intervene in this debate. She claims that “disinformation” is circulating online and that the suggestion of privatization is misleading. While she acknowledges her own historical connection to the site, she rejects the group’s claim that she refused to engage with them. Instead, she encourages everyone to participate in the consultation process.

However, this is precisely the problem – a lack of engagement from those who will be most affected by the development. Maribyrnong City Council, which developed the group-backed plan, is in regular talks with Development Victoria about the site’s future. These conversations seem to be happening behind closed doors, without adequate community input.

The Reimagining Old Footscray Hospital group remains passionate and committed to their cause. They are apolitical, welcoming everyone to join their efforts. What they really want is for the same principles that guided the construction of the new $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital to be applied here – transparency, community engagement, and a focus on social infrastructure.

As this debate rages on, it’s essential to remember that major redevelopment projects like these have far-reaching consequences. They can shape not just the physical landscape but also the values and culture of an area. In Footscray, the old hospital site has become a microcosm of a larger question: what kind of development do we want in our cities? Do we prioritize profit over people, or do we strive for inclusive, community-driven growth?

The fate of this site will be decided soon, but one thing is clear – the battle lines have been drawn, and it’s not just about townhouses versus parkland. It’s about who gets to decide what kind of future Footscray wants to build.