Footscray is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, named after the English village of Foots Cray. Its Local Government Area is the City of Maribyrnong.

Central Footscray is characterised by a very diverse, multicultural central shopping area, which reflects the successive waves of immigration experienced by Melbourne.

People

The inner western suburbs have traditionally been less desirable residential areas due to nearby heavy industry. This affordability of housing and availability of employment opportunities has made the area attractive to new migrants. Greek and Italian migrants arrived in the 1950s and 60s, followed by Vietnamese in the 1970s and 80s. Although Footscray remains a magnet for new migrants, most recently housing immigrants from Sudan and Ethiopia, there has been rapid gentrification as younger Australians seek affordable period housing close to the Melbourne Central Business District.

The mall area and surrounding streets still have a poor reputation as a site of drug exchanges, particularly heroin, however the drug trade has declined in the past several years.

The Footscray Market is one of the cheapest fresh produce (particularly seafood) markets in Melbourne, catering particularly to the various ethnicities and local restaurants. Restaurants are generally Vietnamese/Chinese, however there are several East African cafe restaurants, some Indian restaurants and a pub that serves modern Australian food.

Sport and Culture

Footscray is home of the Western Bulldogs in the Australian rules football, part of the Australian Football League.

Flemington Racecourse, borders Footscray on the Northeast.

Industry

Lonely Planet Publications offices are located in southern Footscray, along the banks of the Maribyrnong River.

The eastern portion of Footscray, in the fork between the Yarra River and Maribyrnong River, contains railway yards, the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market, and Appleton and Swanston Docks and related container terminals, site of the 1998 Australian waterfront dispute in Melbourne.

References

Local History - Footscray Historical Society (http://home.vicnet.net.au/~foothist/local_history.htm)

the website of the City of Maribyrnong (http://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/)