Stimulus/Rationale:
The City of Maribyrnong is within the municipality of Melbourne, Australia, and is one of the most multicultural municipalities in Victoria. It aims to be an ‘Intercultural City’ which has multiple nationalities, languages and beliefs with tools to manage diversity, cultural conflict, recognise and reconcile the first people and greater mixing and interaction between groups in public spaces.
Process:
In terms of pro-social regeneration, it is an example of the “holistic community”, where large scale regeneration is taking place to increase opportunities for local people and increase investment. Government and private investment is taking place in Footscray, in one of six “Priority Precincts”, defined by the Victoria State Government as,
“about people and places. We’re working to create liveable and sustainable neighbourhoods. Places where people have the vibrant communities, affordable housing and quality jobs they need.”
The Footscray area has been identified for new transportation links via an extension to the Metro system, and it appears that the intention is to attract substantial growth in the coming years, building on the assets already in place in this location. Footscray Library is one of those assets, the proposed redevelopment of the existing sites include a modern building in the heart of the commercial and shopping area, and which functions as a library, cross-community centre, arts and cultural precinct, and multi-purpose space. There are extensive activities, learning, arts and cultural programmes run from the Library for all ages and cultures. Over the coming year the City Council will seek to partner with Government, community and other stakeholders to develop and progress on this project.
The City Council has supported investment in community facilities where community has been thoughtfully engaged, working with partners and communities in Footscray and beyond. The Economic Development team have consulted with local community and African and Vietnamese traders who were gathering in different areas of the city to engage in co-design and foster local ownership of space by placing up African nation flags along Nicholson Street, and the Saigon Welcome Arch on Leeds Street and the Vietnamese Museum. These landmarks create a destination to encourage shoppers and visitors to enjoy in a relaxed shopping trip and bring visitors from outside the area.
Intercultural exchange in public space is fostered by festivals such as East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival hosted annually in Footscray in January on Hopkins Street. The festival has grown to become a truly multicultural event showcasing the cultural diversity and cohesiveness of the City of Maribyrnong and attracting thousands of patrons. Each year the city comes alive with a feast for the senses with decorations, cultural dances, musical performances, festival parade, food stalls and carnival rides. Council also supports a range of other festivals such as:
Festival of Colours – Holi
- Festival of Flowers – Telangana Bathukamma
- Macedonian Food Festival
- Albanian Festival
- Quang Minh Tet Festival – Lunar New Year
- Wominjeka – Indigenous Australian
- Emerge in the West - African Australian
