A GAME-CHANGER FOR CENTRAL DANDENONG

The Andrews Labor Government is transforming Dandenong into a vibrant retail, commercial and residential hub and creating thousands of local jobs, with a development agreement now signed for the next stage of the Revitalising Central Dandenong project.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today announced Melbourne developer Capital Alliance will invest $600 million to develop the area by the Dandenong transport hub – creating more than 2600 jobs during construction and close to 5000 ongoing positions when the development is complete.

Capital Alliance’s proposal will deliver amenities for the whole community – with at least 500 new dwellings, community spaces, offices, a hotel and conference centre, an urban brewery entertainment district, education facility, retail, medical, a cinema and a contemporary Indian retail and dining precinct.

The site currently houses Dandenong’s existing Little India – Melbourne’s oldest hub of Indian culture and commerce. To minimise disruptions to the existing traders and maintain the site’s strong cultural identity, the development’s first stage will deliver a brand new Little India precinct.

The project will complement the Labor Government’s transport investments in the south-east, better connecting Dandenong with $15 billion to upgrade the Cranbourne/Pakenham line – cutting travel times by up to 50 minutes per day, delivering bigger trains and creating a direct link to Melbourne Airport through the Metro Tunnel.

Community and industry consultation will start on the project’s masterplan next year, with construction on the first stage of the development expected to kick off in 2023 – delivering a supermarket, food market hall and residential development alongside Little India.

Capital Alliance has a strong track record of delivering successful developments across Melbourne, currently delivering a $250 million mixed-use flagship Marriott Hotel in Docklands – the first purpose-built Marriott in Australia in 25 years.

The Victorian Government first announced the Revitalising Central Dandenong project in 2006, with a $290 million investment to restore the economic prominence of the region.

The project has already attracted almost $700 million in private investment and created local jobs in central Dandenong at the Australian Taxation Office, State Government Services Hub, Quest Apartments and a new Council Civic Centre.

The Labor Government is delivering the project through Development Victoria with support from Greater Dandenong Council.

Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

“We’re excited to have secured the funding to transform Dandenong into a hub of commercial opportunities, residential property and retail that is tailored to the community – creating thousands of local jobs in the process.”

Quote attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams

“We’re turning this vision for Dandenong into reality – delivering the jobs, housing, entertainment and retail spaces that our growing suburb needs for generations to come.”

Quote attributable to Capital Alliance Founder and Chief Executive Mohan Du

“We are extremely proud to be partnering with Development Victoria to deliver this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rejuvenate central Dandenong into the future, cementing its status as the capital of the south east of Melbourne.”