The Maribyrnong Civic Precinct and Community Hub breathes new life into the historic Footscray Town Hall site, combining its rich heritage with modern design and functionality. Built in 1936 to replace the original 1875 Town Hall and Courthouse on Napier Street, the heritage-listed Footscray Town Hall proudly stands as the centrepiece of this transformation.
The redevelopment involved detaching and demolishing the three-storey Civic Office Building from the southern façade of the Town Hall, along with the demolition of the single-level Community Wellbeing Building. In their place, a modern two-storey Civic Office and Community Building was constructed, designed with futureproofing for a third floor and targeting a 6 Star Green Star accredited rating.
The new building serves as the Council’s headquarters, providing spaces for customer service and in-person community enquiries. It features a welcoming public-facing reception, bookable conference spaces, and open-plan offices for Council staff. Additional facilities include acoustically treated meeting rooms, focus spaces, private offices, end-of-trip amenities, and kitchenettes on each level.
The Town Hall underwent extensive refurbishment and upgrades to preserve its heritage while enhancing its usability. This included structural and services upgrades, new toilet amenities on each level, and the restoration of original features. It now serves as a hub for civic and community activities, with spaces including the Council chamber, administration offices, publicly bookable meeting rooms, and community-focused amenities such as infant feeding and change room facilities, and a multi-faith room.
Central to the hub is the vibrant community park, with a large open lawn area for gatherings and community events, complemented by a smaller lawn ideal for casual group activities like picnics. It features a terraced rock boulder garden, incorporating a gathering circle, with indigenous plantings to enhance the garden’s cultural and environmental significance, and pathways that seamlessly connect the park with the civic and community buildings.
By combining modern facilities, outdoor spaces, and heritage conservation, the Maribyrnong Civic and Community Precinct creates an environment where Council can efficiently deliver services to the community while fostering a welcoming space for events, social connection, and cultural celebration.
