Footscray Traders Association urges council to increase spending on much-needed bicycle infrastructure. FTA president, Grant Miles, questions Maribyrnong Council abilty to transform central Footscray into a pedestrian and cycle precinct without a proper level of infrastructure investment. "Council has been reducing car access and parking in central Footscray, but people won't make the switch from cars to bicycles until they have a safe cycling infrastructure. The infrastructure we need won't appear while Maribyrnong spends only a piddling $2.85 per resident. In comparison, the City of Yarra spends $24.64 per resident (per year)". 

"MARIBYRNONG is falling behind the pack, slipping adrift of other metropolitan councils on bike-related spending, according to the Bicycle Network Victoria's latest analysis. The Bicycle Expenditure Index (BiXE), compiled by the network, ranks each council based on the total bike-related spending allocated in its annual budget divided by the number of residents in the municipality. A benchmark of $5 per resident is considered an amount that will adequately improve bike facilities and increase cycling rates." ,, "Maribyrnong spent $2.85 per resident in 2010-11, making it one of only two "inner zone" councils to fall below the $5 threshold. The latest figure was below the inner zone average of $10.16 per resident and below Maribyrnong's five-year average of $4.16.The Melbourne-wide average is $12.43 per resident."


See original article, Maribyrnong Weekly

"Maribyrnong Council has hailed an innovative, green, dual-tower development as the future of Footscray. Little Saigon Market is set to be transformed into two multi-level buildings, one of eight storeys and one with 12, after councillors unanimously voted in favour of the Nicholson St development at last week’s council meeting. "

See original article, Maribyrnong Leader

Further work at Footscray railway station could end in a shambles due to a lack of co-ordination, Footscray traders warn. Work planned as part of the $5billion Regional Rail Link project includes two new platforms and an extension of the $14.7million William Cooper footbridge.

Traders have been highly critical of the work already completed and warn the mistakes are doomed to be repeated. Footscray Traders Association president Grant Miles said lessons should have been learned from the "failed footbridge project".

See original article, Maribyrnong Weekly

"A proposal to more than double the amount of paid parking in Footscray has angered residents and traders still recovering from the recently removed parking cameras. The changes proposed by Maribyrnong Council, stretching metre parking from Geelong Rd to Moore St, are out for public comment at the moment. .. But Footscray Traders’ Association president Grant Miles said traders wanted a level playing field with Highpoint, Yarraville and Seddon, where parking is free."

See original article, Maribyrnong Leader

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) releases its final representation review report on the 26th October, putting forward a recommended electoral structure for Maribyrnong City Council

The VEC recommends that Maribyrnong City Council be represented by seven councillors elected from three wards. The recommended structure comprises two wards each represented by two councillors and one three-councillor ward. This is a change to the existing structure of seven single-councillor wards.

This new structure is based on a submission presented by the Footscray Traders Association.

(See full VEC report)

The new arrangement will apply for Council elections to be held on the 27th October 2012.