First look at Creative West: a new cultural heart for Melbourne's west

Maribyrnong City Council has unveiled the first concept designs for Creative West, part of its Dream Big vision to revitalise Footscray CBD.

Set on the site of the ageing Footscray Library and adjacent car park, the precinct will bring together a contemporary library, performing arts venue and town park to create a welcoming civic heart for learning, creativity and connection. 

Creative West has been shaped by extensive community input and close engagement with Wurundjeri Elders.  

More than 1,100 community responses, 19 focus groups and a Community Voice Co-design Group have helped inform and test the concept design, responding to a long-held call for shared cultural infrastructure in Melbourne’s west.  

City of Maribyrnong Mayor, Cr Mohamed Semra said Creative West would be a catalyst project for Footscray’s CBD renewal. “We are dreaming big for Footscray’s future. Creative West responds directly to what we’ve heard from the community – the need for a welcoming, shared space for connection, creativity and learning. It will be a home base for Footscray and will help strengthen both the daytime and night-time economy and addresses the gap in cultural infrastructure in Melbourne’s west.”  

The precinct will support local creative industries and create flexible indoor and outdoor spaces for events, performance, learning, making and everyday community use.  

The transformative project will feature an automated and adaptable 500-plus seat theatre designed to accommodate live performances of varying scales and formats, alongside a dedicated rehearsal studio for artists, performers and community groups.  

A new contemporary library will support reading, making and learning with access to technology and maker spaces. A shared foyer will serve as Footscray's living room, flowing out to a shady town park that will provide a flexible outdoor space for events, recreation and everyday community use.  

The design and planning phase received $5 million from the Australian Government under the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, matched by Maribyrnong City Council.  

Creative West is expected to cost around $148 million, with Council seeking investment from the Victorian and Australian governments for delivery. The project is a key priority of Future Ready Footscray, Council's coordinated, cross-government initiative to address the area's planning, housing, transport, economic and social challenges.  

Council is inviting the community to take part in the Creative West Dream Wall initiative. Every dream shared will become part of a growing public installation at Footscray Library, helping shape and demonstrate support for a cultural precinct designed by and for the community. 

Community members can view the concept design and share their dream for Creative West online at creativewest.com.au or in-person at the Footscray Library. 

The concept designs were developed by Architectus and Public Realm Lab in collaboration with GLAS Landscape Architects, bringing together expertise in architecture, urban design and landscape architecture to create an integrated cultural and civic landmark destination for Footscray and the inner west. 

Maribyrnong News 

Stay up-to-date with the latest news by subscribing to our eNews.