I'm going to post, semi-regularly (let's not tempt fate by saying weekly), news and hints of developments that I've come across. I'll focus on Dandenong itself, of course, but may note things from further afield if I think they're important and I'll try to stick to three items per week. So here's the first three.
26 Rodd Street
Approved plans and permits for 27 apartments over 4 storeys. A very short distance (200 metres) from Robinson Street, and about 900m from the town centre. I'm not sure if it has sold yet, but this one has been around for a little while.
Officeworks and The Good Guys
Officeworks moved to the corner of the Dandenong Bypass and Frankston-Dandenong Road just before Christmas, and The Good Guys will be moving to the same location in April. I can understand why both these stores moved. Frankston-Dandenong Road has always been a preferred location for bulk retailers, so The Good Guys fit in well there. On the face of it, the Officeworks move doesn't make as much as sense, given the density of offices in central Dandenong. However, Dandenong South is continuing to develop quite rapidly as a target for commercial investment. Even though most of these commercial developments are either industrial or logistical in nature, they are regularly accompanied by onsite offices. The location is also still quite close to Dandenong central (1.9km) though not within what I will call strolling distance, as it was before (600m). This may suit Officeworks better — I'd speculate most of its valuable business derives from those driving in to pick up either office supplies or large items. The passers by they would have had in the city centre are more likely to want small items (photocopies, paper, batteries, etc.)
This ought to be a good thing for Dandenong central, as more appropriate shops have a chance to set up there. But in the context of a broader lack of interest in investing in central Dandenong at the moment, it's hard to view these moves as being positive, at least in the short term.
SmartSavers
Savers moved to Fountain Gate a few months ago, leaving free one of the town's most central locations, just across from where the new town square is being built. (I can't say I much understand Savers' move — I'm sure retail is not as lucrative in Dandenong right now, but Savers is a thrift shop so that shouldn't affect them. The new store is advertised as being bigger so maybe space was an issue.) I believe the store has been leased again (going by this), but I've no idea if the whole floor has been leased and I don't know for what purpose.