Welcome to this week’s update on our recent projects, results achieved and continued work in making a better and safer community.
Strategic and Environment Planning
Keysborough Golf Course
We have received the planning scheme amendment to rezone the existing golf course for residential purposes (up to 1600 dwellings). This involves both a golf course and realignment of the urban growth boundary. The two planning permit applications for the new golf course and sports hub in Bangholme have been reviewed, and further information has been sought from the applicant.
State Government Activity Centres
Dandenong, Springvale, Noble Park and Yarraman have been included in the State Governments 50 new activity centres. Our four centres will be part of Tranche Two, and will commence in August this year. The State Government are aiming to have structure plans and rezonings completed for all of the 50 activity centres by August 2026.
Open Space Consultations
Community consultation for the Tatterson Park Recreation Precinct, Warner Reserve Southern Recreational Precinct, Tirhatuan Park Sensory Trail and Greaves Reserve Public Recreation Infrastructure projects has been completed, and the feedback is being reviewed. Following this, further refinement of the plans will be undertaken prior to finalising the documentation for these future works.
Statutory Planning
The Statutory Planning team achieved another amazing result in March with 86.67% of planning permit decisions issued on time. The state target is to issue planning permit applications within 60 statutory days, and the current state average is 64.5% of applications meeting this target.
Building and Compliance Services
Balmoral Avenue/Dandenong Creek Reserve
Officers have issued letters to all surrounding businesses that the reserve can no longer be used for activities associated with their businesses, such as storing rubbish, vehicles or other materials. The permanent restrictions will be in place from 1 July 2025.
Business, Development and Investment
Noble Park Place Activation Grant Scheme
We delivered the Brewing Community Connections project, which is a Coffee Trailer Initiative. It was a resounding success, fostering inclusion, skills development and community engagement in Noble Park. Through this initiative, 12 participants, including individuals with disabilities, received hands-on barista training, equipping them with valuable hospitality skills that enhance their employability.
The program engaged over 900 community members, with the coffee trailer serving as both a practical learning space and a hub for social connection.
This initiative exemplifies how small-scale placemaking projects can strengthen social bonds and empower local communities.
SEBN Industry Breakfast
On Wednesday 26 March SEBN held our Industry Breakfast at the Atura Hotel, Dandenong, hosted by Simon Madden. Simon engaged the audience with his own light and humorous stories based on his football career and highlighted the importance of understanding Leadership vs Management in a modern world.
Business Permit Support Service (BPSS) - Enquiries 2025
In March, the BPSS handled 64 inquiries. January 2025 handled 53, whilst February handled 67 enquiries. The average since July 2024 is 60 enquiries per month.
AI Chat Bot
AI Chat Bot kick-off sessions were held in March with internal stakeholders (in partnership with IT) to understand options for the project. Additionally, we are working with IT to explore funding opportunities through the Business Accelerator Fund (BAF) that would complement the AI Chat Bot project and deliver broader outcomes.
The $40 million BAF is available to support vital projects that will streamline processes, promote digitisation and make it easier to start and grow a business in Victoria. Councils can apply for funding to:
- Streamline local law requirements to reduce the number of permits business's needs.
- Digitise permit processes, introduce a CRM and digitise historical planning and building files.
- Make low risk permits automatic by adopting the automatic approvals available on the Service Victoria platform.
- Make approvals information easier to understand by upgrading websites and publishing guidelines and factsheets.
BAF applications close 30 May 2025.
Food Business Incubator Feasibility
Business Development and Investment are partnering with Jane Del Rosso from The Business of Food to conduct a feasibility study for a food business incubator in Greater Dandenong.
A significant number of enquiries are received by the Business Permit Support Service from residents wishing to establish a food business from their residential property. Additionally, a high proportion of home-based businesses close after the first year of operation.
The feasibility project will include validation of the need by residents by delivering The Business of Food’s Recipe to Retail program to up to 20 businesses and an assessment of existing commercial kitchen facilities within Greater Dandenong for suitability as a kitchen incubator.
Sanjay Manivasagasivam, Executive Director City Futures