Footscray Welcome Crew to hit the streets
Published on 17 June 2026
A new Footscray Welcome Crew will be out in the CBD, helping make the city centre feel more welcoming, active and connected.
Council has endorsed the new crew to provide a friendly, visible presence in the heart of Footscray, working with residents, traders, workers, visitors and local organisations to support the everyday life of the CBD.
The Welcome Crew will be on the ground, listening to local feedback, supporting traders and community members, connecting requests to the right Council team or partner, and helping bring local ideas, activities and initiatives to life.
The initiative follows community consultation and stakeholder engagement, which showed strong support for a people-focused approach to Footscray CBD.
The Welcome Crew is part of Council’s broader work to support Footscray as a vibrant city centre and destination. Recent initiatives include the In Focus photography festival, which brought new energy and visitors into the CBD, the Footscray Community Leadership Program, which supports local people to take direct action in their community, and coordination with local community services, and support for the placement of the Salvos Lighthouse Cafe in the heart of Footscray.
Council has used community feedback to shape a practical, visible and community-led approach that reflects Footscray’s energy, creativity and opportunity.
Mayor, Cr Mohomed Semra, said the Welcome Crew is about Council being more present in Footscray and working with the community to support a thriving CBD.
“Footscray is just seven minutes from Melbourne’s CBD by road and rail, connected by the river, and home to one of the city’s most vibrant and distinctive communities,” Mayor Semra said.
“We want people to feel welcome, excited and ready to bring their big ideas to life here.”
“The Welcome Crew is part of how we Dream Big for Footscray: by being present on the ground, supporting traders and local community members, and helping turn local ideas and opportunities into practical action.”
“From festivals and events that bring more visitors into Footscray, to programs that support local leadership and stronger community partnerships, Council is working with the community to make Footscray feel more active, more cared for and more connected.”
Following Council's endorsement, recruitment will begin for Footscray Welcome Crew members, with the new team set to start in the CBD as soon as possible.
This initiative is part of Council's broader Footscray revitalisation program and supports the goals of Dreaming Big for Footscray.
For more information about how the Footscray revitalisation program, visit the Footscray CBD Revitalisation page on our website.
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