Joseph Road Precinct

Infrastructure, Safety and Development Contributions 

The Joseph Road Precinct in Footscray has changed significantly in the past decade. It has shifted from industrial to a high-density, mixed-use neighbourhood. 

Council and the State Government both help deliver infrastructure as the precinct grows. This includes safer, more accessible streets and public spaces. 

This page explains how infrastructure is funded, what Council has delivered, and the next steps. 

About the Joseph Road Precinct 

The Joseph Road Precinct is generally bounded by: 

  • public reserves on the west bank of the Maribyrnong River to the east 

  • the railway reserve between Footscray and South Kensington stations to the north and west, and 

  • Hopkins Street to the south

The precinct has grown rapidly and is now home to thousands of residents, with more development underway. This increases demand for safer streets and better transport. 

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What is a Development Contributions Plan (DCP)? 

A Development Contributions Plan (DCP) helps fund public infrastructure needed to support growth across Victoria. 

Under a DCP: 

  • developers are required to make financial contributions when land is developed, and 

  • contributions help fund footpaths, roads, bike paths, signals, street trees, landscaping, street furniture and drainage. 

DCPs are independently reviewed through the planning system and approved by the Minister for Planning. 

Joseph Road Precinct Development Contributions Plan

The Joseph Road Precinct Development Contributions Plan was: 

  • independently reviewed by a Planning Panel 

  • supported by Council

  • approved by the Minister for Planning in 2019

The plan is supported by the: 

Together, these documents identify the infrastructure required to support growth and improve safety, amenity and accessibility across the precinct. 

What Council has already delivered 

Since the DCP was approved, Council has collected contributions and invested them in infrastructure across the Joseph Road Precinct. 

Council has delivered eight million dollars of public infrastructure, focused on everyday improvements for residents. 

Delivered infrastructure includes:

Walking and pedestrian access 

  • New and upgraded footpaths within the Joseph Road Precinct 
  • Improved pedestrian connections between residential areas, public spaces and transport routes 

Public realm and streetscape improvements 

  • Streetscape upgrades to improve safety, accessibility and neighbourhood amenity 
  • Public realm works identified through the Joseph Road Precinct Public Realm Plan 

Local access and amenity 

  • Infrastructure improvements supporting safer movement through local streets 
  • Works responding to increased residential density and daily pedestrian activity 

Council continues to deliver precinct improvements as funding allows and as designs are finalised.

 

What Council is doing next 

Council recognises the importance of improving safety, mobility and accessibility in and around the Joseph Road Precinct. 

Councillors have resolved to: 

  • prioritise this area in Council’s road safety advocacy 

  • work collaboratively with the Department of Transport and Planning to finalise detailed design 

  • actively pursue State and Federal funding opportunities

  • progress priority projects through future Council budget processes

Council will keep working with government partners, so infrastructure investment keeps pace with community growth. 

Funding and delivery 

We understand there is strong community interest in how development contributions are collected, spent and planned in the Joseph Road Precinct. 

The information below explains how funding works and what is currently known. 

How much has been collected through the DCP?

Since 2019, Council has collected $12.59 million (at 30 April 2026) in developer contributions as development has occurred across the precinct. 

Contributions are collected over time, not upfront, as each development proceeds. Totals rise as new buildings are completed. 

Council publishes audited financial information in its Annual Report. 

How much has been spent and what on?

Council has invested $8.06 million from contributions and Council funds in precinct infrastructure. 

Spending has prioritised: 

  • pedestrian infrastructure such as footpaths, 

  • streetscape and public realm improvements, and 

  • local access and amenity works identified in precinct planning documents. 

These investments have focused on delivering early, practical improvements for residents as the precinct has grown.

How much funding remains available?

The amount of funding available for future projects changes over time as: 

  • new developer contributions are collected, and 

  • funds are committed to planning, design and delivery. 

There is currently $4.53 million available (at 30 April 2026) 

Developer contributions alone are not enough to fund all remaining major infrastructure projects in the precinct. 

How much more is expected to be collected?

The total amount collected over the life of the Development Contributions Plan depends on: 

  • the timing and scale of future development, and 

  • broader market conditions. 

Development occurs over many years, so future contribution totals can’t be confirmed in advance. 

Council regularly monitors development activity to inform infrastructure planning and advocacy.

Why hasn't everything has been delivered yet?

Good progress has been made, and there is still more work to do. 

Funding shortfall 

Developer contributions alone are not sufficient for all remaining major projects. Complex, large-scale works need extra funding. 

Hopkins Street is a State‑managed road 

Hopkins Street is a State arterial road managed by VicRoads / the Department of Transport and Planning. 

Major upgrades, including full intersection signalisation, require: 

  • State Government design approval 

  • State funding and partnership, alongside Council design work and advocacy

Who is responsible for what?

Maribyrnong City Council 

  • Collects developer contributions under the DCP 

  • Delivers local footpaths, streetscapes and public realm works 

  • Undertakes detailed design and advocates for funding

 

Victorian Government 

  • Manages Hopkins Street as a State arterial road 

  • Approves designs for major road and signal upgrades 

  • Provides funding for State‑managed road infrastructure

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Joseph Road Precinct or Development Contributions Plans, please contact us:

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