The State Government’s proposal to allow 12-storey high-rise buildings along Barkly Street in West Footscray is fundamentally unfair to local residents. These towers would overshadow our neighbourhood our homes, parks, childcare centres and strain roads and train lines that are already at capacity.

It’s bewildering that our largely low-rise, family home area is earmarked for radical change while nearby leafy, more affluent suburbs remain protected with low-rise policies (often 6 storeys). This disparity breeds a sense of injustice. Why should our streets bear the brunt of overdevelopment while others remain untouched?

Our community thrives on a close knit feel and human-scale streets. Dropping very tall buildings into this context threatens the social fabric, replacing familiar streetscapes with bulky towers that loom over private spaces. We want smart, fair growth not overdevelopment without matching infrastructure.

We acknowledge the need for more homes. But growth must not come at the cost of liveability, sunlight, safety, and identity. We urge the State Government to revise this proposal and adopt a balanced, community-led approach.

What We Stand For 

1. Keep Our Streets in the Light
   12 storeys would overshadow homes, parks and streets, reducing winter sun and liveability.
2. Yes to Housing, Cap It at Six
   We support more homes on Barkly St with a maximum of six storeys, aligned with Council’s 2018 plan.
3. Meaningful Consultation, Not Box-Ticking
   Community feedback must visibly shape the final plan publish how submissions change outcomes and why our initial response to consultation and heights were ignored? 
4. Homes for People, Not Just Profit
   Set affordability and design rules that protect neighbours from bulk and overshadow.
5. Infrastructure First, Rezoning Second
   Fund trains, schools, health and green space before raising heights.
6. Design Quality & Fair Objection Rights
   Require good design (setbacks, transitions) and keep clear rights to object and appeal.
7. Use Vacant & Land-Banked Sites First
   Activate empty sites and unoccupied dwellings before upzoning intact streets. There are a number of unused sites across Footscray that have remained derelict for years and close to Footscray station why aren't these being looked at for Activation? 
8. Smart Density in the Right Places
   Put height near transport and services, with step-downs at neighbourhood edges.
9. Our Community Standard Growth that won’t overshadow our wonderful community liveable, affordable and fair.

What We’re Asking the State Government To Do

• Revise the Barkly St proposal to a maximum of six storeys with proper height transitions.
• Tie any upzoning to infrastructure milestones (transport, schools, health, green space).
• Publish a consultation impact report showing how community feedback changed the plan. if any!
• Mandate design controls: sunlight access/overshadow limits, setbacks, human-scale streets.
• Protect objection and appeal rights for affected residents across the catchment.
• Prioritise vacant/land-banked sites and unoccupied dwellings before seeking more height.
• Focus higher density near services and transit, not hard up against back fences.
• Embed affordability outcomes (incl. family-sized homes) with enforceable delivery conditions.

Sign this petition today to keep West Footscray liveable and fair.