CBD from the creek trail south of Meridian. April 6, 2015.

Regarding Dandenong

News Round Up

Influx of traders sparks suburb’s revitalisation
Dandenong Leader (2 Feb 2015)

Read on Dandenong Leader →
RD: This week's Leader has a set of articles on activity in Springvale in light of recent developments, such as the Number 8 development, Multicultural Place and the station redevelopment. Read more...

Square is set to stay put
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (2 Feb 2015)

Kids who’ve spent their holidays running, rolling and resting on the Dandenong Civic Square lawn will be pleased to know it’s staying put.

SkyscraperCity - Spectra (219 Thomas Street)
skyscrapercity.com (1 Feb 2015)

i spoke to a lady attached to this building and she 'reckons' they will start building in 3 months and completion in 15 to 18 months. i got a fancy flyer with the apartment sizes also. Read on skyscrapercity.com →
RD: Rumours like this have tended not to pan out, but good to see Spectra in motion. Read more...

For Sale: 5 Stud Road
goldenkeyproperty.com.au (28 Jan 2015)

RD: Larger pictures of 5 Stud Road

Harmony headlines name hopes for Greater Dandenong’s civic centre square
heraldsun.com.au (26 Jan 2015)

Greater Dandenong Council has compiled a shortlist of five names for the civic centre square. Read on heraldsun.com.au →
RD: The council has gone almost exclusively with conceptual names for the shortlist: Harmony Square, International Square, Opportunity Square, Welcome Square and Wurundjeri Square. (The last, of course, is historical.) My preference would be for either Harmony or Wurundjeri Square. Read more...

227 Princes Highway
greaterdandenong.com (26 Jan 2015)

Read on greaterdandenong.com →
RD: A permit was issued for 46 townhouses at 227 Princes Highway. There was also a 2 lot subdivision on this land prior, so it's possible that the townhouses are just for the back half of the land. Either way, I hope it includes some open space. Read more...

Municipal Building Project Site 1B (Council Agenda)
greaterdandenong.com (26 Jan 2015)

Read on greaterdandenong.com →
RD: Council is about to enter into a contract with Places Victoria to purchase the remaining parcel of land at the civic centre that they don't yet own — namely, the grassy knoll on the north-west corner. Read more...

Manufacturing in Victoria
dsdbi.vic.gov.au (20 Jan 2015)

Read on dsdbi.vic.gov.au →
RD: Some interesting spatial stats on manufacturing in Victoria. Dandenong shows up strongly in almost every category, and highlights just how valuable a substantial port at Hastings would be. Read more...

State Government vows to make Places Victoria more efficient, monitor parking spaces
heraldsun.com.au (16 Jan 2015)

The State Government has vowed to make government developer Places Victoria more efficient and promised to monitor councils’ decisions on parking spaces in new apartment complexes.

Hastings port plan dealt blow as Andrews rejects stacked trains
heraldsun.com.au (16 Jan 2015)

The development of a major new port at Hastings has been dealt a blow with the Labor government refusing to back double-stacked trains running through Melbourne.

Proud to have Melbourne as the capital of the Indian diaspora
theindiansun.com.au (16 Jan 2015)

At a festive event earlier you had promised to bring to life a cultural precinct for Indians in Victoria. Read on theindiansun.com.au →
RD: I'm still trying to get a read on how a Daniel Andrews Labor government will treat us. The government has control over at least 4 issues that may have very large impacts on our city: Port of Hastings, VicRoads HQ, Places Victoria's role in Dandenong, and (as described in the article) the new Indian cultural precinct. Read more...

Heart without a name
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (13 Jan 2015)

The heart of Dandenong has changed forever. All it needs is a name. Read on dandenong.starcommunity.com.au →
RD: I cannot think of a better fitting name for the heart of the city than Stork Square. (After Marg Stork, of course.) Read more...

Will park go to water?
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (13 Jan 2015)

Field of dreams or a big stink? A Chinese developer’s plans for a giant theme park in Bangholme’s vast paddocks may prove a rollercoaster ride in itself. Read on dandenong.starcommunity.com.au →
RD: This did seem improbable from the beginning. Read more...

Panda pulls away
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (13 Jan 2015)

It was the end of a 22-year era for Doveton boy and Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos. Read on dandenong.starcommunity.com.au →
RD: The article mentions that John was significant in driving the revitalization forward, which is something I wasn't aware of. Read more...

SkyscraperCity - Dandenong as Melbourne's Parramatta
skyscrapercity.com (11 Jan 2015)

Planning and Ideas | Dandenong as Melbourne's Parramatta | Discussion Read on skyscrapercity.com →
RD: To kick off the new year: A thread on SkyscraperCity about Melbourne having a serious second CBD, with Dandenong the leading long-term candidate. Incidentally, if the revitalization effort were ever to have a make-or-break year, this would be it. Read more...

Ramsay pushes for VicRoads relocation to Ballarat
theminer.net.au (23 Dec 2014)

Member for Western Victoria, Simon Ramsay, has urged the newly elected Labor Premier Daniel Andrews to adopt the Coalition’s plan to relocate VicRoads’ Headquarters from Melbourne to Ballarat. Read on theminer.net.au →
RD: It's also mentioned that Dandenong is being looked at as a potential site for the relocation. At some point, we have to win one of these things, but it bothers me that these things are zero-sum games. Read more...

New plan deal to be put in place
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (16 Dec 2014)

Greater Dandenong Council expects State Government developer Places Victoria to complete its unfinished promises after the expiration of the Metro 3175 development project.

Knox Shopping Centre set to become Australia’s second biggest
heraldsun.com.au (16 Dec 2014)

THE $450 million expansion of Westfield Knox will make it Australia’s second largest shopping centre.

Level Crossing Removals are Labor’s Priority
premier.vic.gov.au (16 Dec 2014)

The Victorian Government has written to the East West Connect Partnership, instructing them to immediately suspend works on the East West Link and delivering on Labor’s election commitment to prioritise removing level crossings. Read on premier.vic.gov.au →
RD: All of the Dandenong line crossings and a few of the Pakenham and Cranbourne line crossings are in the top 50. Here's hoping they can keep their promise, and do so in a reasonable time frame. Read more...

Investment Drives Dandenong’s Industrial Renaissance
savills.com.au (13 Dec 2014)

Tenant migration sees 90,653 sq m leased in last 12 months.

State election 2014 Victoria Dandenong
heraldsun.com.au (17 Nov 2014)

Unemployment has been identified as the number one issue for the Dandenong electorate by candidates in the upcoming state election. Read on heraldsun.com.au →
RD: Removing the Infrastructure Recovery Charge rates a mention from independent Dale Key. Read more...

Redefining success in year 12: stories of hope and inspiration from Dandenong High
theage.com.au (16 Nov 2014)

This time of year can be disheartening for disadvantaged schools. Read on theage.com.au →
RD: The only thing that makes Dandenong High disadvantaged is that it's in the middle of a redevelopment, and completion is being delayed for what I can only hope are some exceptionally good reasons. And no, quicker transport is not a good reason to sacrifice these children's future quality of life.

"Every year Dandenong High loses about 30 students to select-entry schools including Nossal High, Mac.Robertson Girls' and Melbourne High." This is a most wicked form of selection bias, which makes it highly likely that a 'high-achieving' school is not 'a school that produces high-achievers' but rather 'a school that consists of high-achievers'.
Read more...

Council's state election wishlist
greaterdandenong.com (13 Nov 2014)

With the November State Government Election fast approaching there are a number of key issues facing the Council and the City of Greater Dandenong community that require State Government support and advocacy.

Green wedge could become theme park: Dandenong Council
theage.com.au (13 Nov 2014)

A 43-hectare amusement park is being considered by Chinese developers on land zoned "green wedge" near Dandenong, according to the local mayor, sparking concerns about development of the environmentally sensitive land.

Afghan Bazaar Cultural Precinct
hassellstudio.com (11 Nov 2014)

Dandenong’s Afghan Bazaar is Melbourne's only recognised Afghan precinct. Read on hassellstudio.com →
RD: A good write-up from Hassell on the Afghan Bazaar streetscape upgrade. Read more...

2014 National Architecture Awards: Public
architectureau.com (8 Nov 2014)

The Dandenong Mental Health Facility has transformed the concept of a mental health complex by creating an environment that is domestic rather than institutional in scale, style and spirit. Read on architectureau.com →
RD: This time a national architecture award. Nice. Read more...

Greater Dandenong Council elects Cr Sean O’Reilly as its new Mayor
heraldsun.com.au (8 Nov 2014)

Sean O’Reilly has been named the new mayor of Greater Dandenong for 2014-2015.

Introducing Your New Mayor – Cr Sean O’Reilly
greaterdandenong.com (8 Nov 2014)

Lightwood Ward Councillor Sean O’Reilly was last night elected Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong for the coming twelve months.

For Sale: 5 Stud Road
realestate.com.au (6 Nov 2014)

With Plans and Permits approved for 28 apartments and boasting 4 stories high. Read on realestate.com.au →
RD: Actually, it looks 5 storeys from the picture. Apartment proposals for 5 Stud Road have been floating around for as long as I can remember. Read more...

Coalition commits to duplicating Thompsons Road, with grade separations
racvelectionmonitor.com.au (6 Nov 2014)

A re-elected Coalition Government will slash travel times and improve safety for motorists in the south-eastern suburbs with Premier Denis Napthine committing to a major overhaul of Thompsons Road.

Ready for revitalising
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (4 Nov 2014)

More than a third of Revitalising Central Dandenong precinct land is now developed, under construction or committed for development.

Land buy businessman forged ahead
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (4 Nov 2014)

This week the Journal looks at Kidds Road, named in honour of early settler Robert Kidd.

Political cup cools
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (4 Nov 2014)

Finally an outlet to buy Greek coffee has opened in central Dandenong – and now MP John Pandazopoulos’s 22-year reign as its local MP comes to an end.

Visa defeat blamed for asylum struggle
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (4 Nov 2014)

Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison has blamed opposition parties for the hundreds of asylum seekers living without work rights in Greater Dandenong.

Dandenong state Labor MP John Pandazopoulos about to call time on 22 year Parliamentary career
heraldsun.com.au (4 Nov 2014)

When John Pandazopoulos ends his longstanding reign in Dandenong next month, it will be with a sense of ­accomplishment and excitement for the future.

Casey’s $125 million Cultural Precinct gets planning tick from minister
heraldsun.com.au (4 Nov 2014)

Spring St has fast-tracked approval for the $125 million Casey Cultural Precinct, just hours before the State Government goes into caretaker mode ahead of the November 29 election.

Little light over Indian precinct
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (1 Nov 2014)

Embattled Little India traders have demanded the Labor Party’s proposed showcase Indian cultural precinct be set in Dandenong. Read on dandenong.starcommunity.com.au →
RD: Labor hasn't ruled out putting the precinct here. According to shadow minister Brian Tee, who was speaking at Roshan's Fashions, "clearly this is one of the ideal locations". Maybe that has been the intention all along, but they just don't think announcing a specific place would be a vote winner. Read more...

Business Parks Flourish in the Region
vaughans.com.au (1 Nov 2014)

Dynamic Dandenong is continuing to see new business parks and industrial estates being developed with a range of offerings available. Read on vaughans.com.au →
RD: A press release, but interesting all the same. Read more...

Atura continues expansion
thenibbler.com.au (30 Oct 2014)

AHL will oversee the Chiefly Doveton rebranded and reimagined to become an edgier, high-design, high-value Atura Dandenong, the first for the group outside of New South Wales. Read on thenibbler.com.au →
RD: Well, I do think Doveton and Eumemmering should be a part of Greater Dandenong. Read more...

Melbourne’s next mini city to rise at Caribbean Park
cbre.com.au (30 Oct 2014)

A new era is dawning for Melbourne’s Caribbean Park as the first two of more than 40 proposed office buildings take shape. Read on cbre.com.au →
RD: Discovered via a poster at Urban Melbourne. Is this site on any Planning Melbourne document? Is it on anyone's radar of any sort? This is either an example of poor planning, or we have a policy of letting the market do city-shaping planning for us — which might be OK, if the public is at least aware that's how it works. Read more...

Six reasons to visit Dandenong
smh.com.au (29 Oct 2014)

2. LITTLE INDIA Read on smh.com.au →
RD: Perhaps someone should pass this article along to Daniel Andrews, who appears to be completely unaware of what's going on in the electoral district right next door to his own. Of course, he could just have been quoted out of context. Read more...

Quest development continues Dandenong revitalisation
smh.com.au (29 Oct 2014)

A new development is set to get the go ahead in Dandenong, indicating that the Revitalising Central Dandenong (RCD) project, Australia's second biggest urban renewal program after Melbourne's Docklands, is still on track. Read on smh.com.au →
RD: "The central precinct has been divided into 19 sites, with six now developed, under development or committed for development. " Six? The civic centre, government services building, Quest, ATO and the PEP building makes 5. Maybe they're including Mosaic, but that's not in the central precinct. Then again, there's either much more or much less than 19 sites, so who knows where these figures come from. Read more...

Labor’s Diwali gift: Indian precinct in Melbourne
southasiatimes.com.au (27 Oct 2014)

Leader of opposition in Victoria and Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Hon. Daniel Andrews, today announced Labor will build an, ‘Indian Cultural Precinct’ in Melbourne, if elected to govern Victoria on 29 November, when Victoria goes to polls to elect a new government. Read on southasiatimes.com.au →
RD: Gee, I thought there already was an Indian Cultural Precinct in Melbourne. Oh, sorry, we obviously don't count — apparently, we aren't even a part of Victoria: "In his announcement Hon. Daniel Andrews did not mention ‘Little India’ but said, “Victoria’s Indian community is Australia’s largest, but doesn’t have a precinct to call its own – Labor will fix this."" Read more...

Is Dandenong headed for a fire sale?
urbanmelbourne.info (27 Oct 2014)

In recent weeks numerous vacant central Dandenong development lots have been placarded with 'Land for sale' signage, representing a sizeable chunk of real estate within the precinct controlled by Places Victoria. Read on urbanmelbourne.info →
RD: I'd find it quite strange if this were a fire-sale (which would suggest an exit of Places Victoria altogether), as recent talk was about putting together a prospectus to attract suitable businesses to the area. Then again, elections have a habit of causing strange behaviour.

This also suggests the health precinct negotiations have fallen over — which is incomprehensible, really, given how straightforward the proposition should have been. Read more...

New abattoir brings hundreds of jobs to Dandenong
premier.vic.gov.au (24 Oct 2014)

The construction of a new $30 million abattoir in Dandenong will create hundreds of local jobs and help boost Victorian food exports to Asian markets, Premier Denis Napthine announced today.

Shoppers rejoice at new retail precinct
heraldsun.com.au (20 Oct 2014)

Dandenong is swiftly developing a reputation for being a bargain hunters’ paradise, according to Dandenong Retail Traders’ Association president Glenys Cooper. Read on heraldsun.com.au →
RD: Interesting marketing approach to our current retail scene. I think it's sound, as retail activity in Dandenong is actually very healthy, it's just operating in a different part of the market to (say) the newer mega-shopping centres. Read more...

2014 National Landscape Architecture Award: Urban Design
architectureau.com (19 Oct 2014)

2014 National Award of Excellence for Urban Design Revitalising Central Dandenong: Lonsdale Street Redevelopment Read on architectureau.com →
RD: Nice. The street is also starting to look great again, now that the foliage has returned. Read more...

Dandenong rail upgrade in disarray
theage.com.au (17 Oct 2014)

A multibillion-dollar upgrade of the Dandenong railway line is in disarray after the Napthine government said on Friday it would not sign contracts with the consortium delivering the project until next year.

Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti looks back on his time in the chair as council sets its election priorities
heraldsun.com.au (16 Oct 2014)

As Mayor Jim Memeti looks out over the ­Dandenong civic square, he is overwhelmed with pride for his city.

Small steps open doors
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (13 Oct 2014)

A Greater Dandenong business delegation will build stepping stones to open opportunities in China. Read on dandenong.starcommunity.com.au →
RD: I think a key quote comes from Paul Kearsley: "Paramatta are probably about 10 years ahead of where we are at the moment in terms of development opportunities." While I can see some of the foundations falling into place, it certainly feels like we're further away than that. Read more...

Chinese cheer
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (13 Oct 2014)

Bangholme’s paddocks could be home to a giant theme park under a proposal from a China-based developer. Read on dandenong.starcommunity.com.au →
RD: I'm not so sure about this one. If it's a very nature-oriented park (and not too much of a 'theme' park) it might be OK. Read more...

Final stage of Dingley Bypass to be completed within two years | Herald Sun
heraldsun.com.au (13 Oct 2014)

Work is finally under way on the last section of the Dingley Bypass that will connect the southeast. Read on heraldsun.com.au →
RD: Actually, this isn't the last section of the whole road — the bit between Sth Gipps Fwy and Sth Gipps Hwy still needs to be built. Read more...

Dandenong SkyscraperCity Thread
skyscrapercity.com (8 Oct 2014)

"Demolition has started to clear the site for the new quest apartments in dandenong. "

City of Greater Dandenong Festive Windows
Dandenong Journal (6 Oct 2014)

Greater Dandenong Business is giving retailers across the municipality an opportunity to celebrate the busy festive sales period and increase their presence in the retail areas by participating in a festive window display. Read on Dandenong Journal →
RD: From an ad on Page 57. Interesting idea. This is the kind of thing I'd like to see the council do more often — i.e. using its unique role to help coordinate beneficial activities across businesses that would otherwise not occur on their own. Read more...

Shops fill Myer's shoes
dandenong.starcommunity.com.au (6 Oct 2014)

Dandenong Plaza will unveil its $40 million post-Myer transformation in less than two weeks. Read on dandenong.starcommunity.com.au →
RD: A little more info. Also, slightly more frankness about Myer's closing from the Mayor than I was expecting (which is a good thing). Read more...

Re-education programs on the agenda for unemployed
neoskosmos.com (3 Oct 2014)

Speaking in Dandenong, in Melbourne's south east, last week, Victorian Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Nick Wakeling, announced new measures implemented by the Napthine government aimed at rejuvenating economic and employment growth, by investing in training systems for the unemployed.

Greater Dandenong's state election wishlist
greaterdandenong.com (2 Oct 2014)

With the November State Government Election fast approaching there are a number of key issues facing the Council and the City of Greater Dandenong community that require State Government support and advocacy.

Dandenong Plaza redevelopment, new shops, to be unveiled this month
heraldsun.com.au (2 Oct 2014)

A $34 million redevelopment of the Dandenong Plaza is expected to generate up to 50 new jobs and give Greater Dandenong a major economic injection.

New centre to help sexual assault victims opens in Dandenong
premier.vic.gov.au (2 Oct 2014)

A new $10 million sexual assault support centre has been officially opened today to provide Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia residents with integrated support for adults and children who have experienced sexual assault or abuse.

Turning the tide in the badlands
urbanmelbourne.info (2 Oct 2014)

Asked once why I disliked fringe Melbourne housing estates so vehemently I replied those residing there were 'existing without living'. Read on urbanmelbourne.info →
RD: While I'm not so sure about the condescending tone of this article, St Germain Village (in Clyde and announced back in February) does sound like a good approach to new town developments. It will have a medical hub at its heart and provide a substantial amount of jobs, alongside the usual new housing. Read more...