Creative West
Creative West is a landmark cultural precinct project that will revitalise central Footscray as a place to gather, learn, create and experience culture.
Creative West will be made up of three elements including:
- A contemporary library supporting learning, creativity and innovation.
- A performing arts venue supporting creatives and inspiring audiences across the west.
- A shaded and green town park for wellbeing, recreation, gathering and events.
In January 2025, Council welcomed a $5 million commitment from the Australian Government under the urban Precincts and Partnerships Program to support the planning and design phase of Creative West, with funding matched by Council.
So far, the project is only funded for planning and design. Council continues to advocate to secure additional funding to deliver the project.
Council has appointed Architectus as the lead design consultancy for Creative West. Architectus is collaborating with local consultancy Public Realm Lab and landscape architecture practice, GLAS, to lead the way in transforming the current Footscray Library site and adjoining carpark into a regionally significant cultural precinct.
Community engagement
Planning for Creative West has been shaped by community advocacy and engagement since 2015. Since then, Footscray and the needs of its community have continued to evolve.
As the project moves into a new design phase, Council undertook community engagement in early 2026 to confirm priorities, test assumptions and ensure Creative West reflects current community needs and aspirations. Council and the project design team will test the concept design with a Community Voice Co-design Group to ensure the design is inclusive, welcoming and reflective of community priorities.
Head on over to Your City Your Voice for more updates and more ways to contribute.
More information
To find out more about the project contact Council’s Creative Communities team by phoning 9688 0200 or send an email to Creative.West@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au.