property
Proposed Rezoning Could Transform Footscray Suburb
Footscray City Council has lodged plans to rezone eight hectares of industrial land along Ballarat Road for mixed residential and commercial use.
How we reported this
The Footscray City Council lodged a rezoning application on 2 July 2026 that would convert eight hectares of former warehouse sites along Ballarat Road from industrial to mixed-use zoning, opening the way for up to 1,800 new dwellings.
The timing follows a spike in local housing demand after the state government fast-tracked approvals for the new Footscray Hospital expansion last year, which brought 1,200 construction jobs and increased pressure on nearby rental stock.
Site Details and Neighbouring Assets
The parcel sits directly behind the Footscray Market on Napier Street and extends toward the Maribyrnong River trail, an area already used by the Footscray Community Arts centre for weekend markets. Planners note the land backs onto the Victoria University Footscray campus, giving future residents direct walking access to the university’s library and student housing blocks.
Current records list the land at an average value of $1.1 million per hectare, based on 2025 sales of comparable sites on nearby Gordon Street. The council’s draft report projects that rezoning could lift that figure to $2.4 million once residential approvals are in place.
Next Steps for Residents and Buyers
Public exhibition of the rezoning documents opens on 20 July at the Footscray Town Hall and runs for six weeks. Submissions close on 31 August, after which the council will hold a hearing on 15 September before forwarding a recommendation to the planning minister.
Anyone with property interests in the area can review the full application on the council website or attend the drop-in session scheduled for 27 July at the Footscray Library branch on Paisley Street. Early lodgement of comments gives residents the best chance to shape height limits and open-space requirements before final maps are drawn.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.