Happy New Year and welcome to our first update for 2025. I'm pleased to share our recent projects, results achieved and continued work in making a better and safer community.
There were two ram raid incidents on businesses in Springvale recently. Incidents like these have a huge impact on our community, including surrounding businesses having to close for a period of time, nearby residents evacuating, limited access to roads and services, as well as the significant impact on the businesses directly targeted.
While these are saddening incidents, I would like to thank staff who assisted in supporting our community and the various authorities involved. Many staff worked long hours responding to the incidents and went above and beyond in providing support in what was a very complex and sensitive situation. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Statutory Planning
The Statutory Planning team achieved another amazing result in December with 83.33 per cent of planning permit decisions issued on time. The state target is to issue planning permit applications in 60 statutory days and the current state average for all councils is 65 per cent of applications achieving this target. We continue to be well above this average, well done!
Strategic and Environmental Planning
Following the committee hearing last year to consider the proposed redevelopment of the Sandown Racecourse for 7,500 new dwellings to accommodate 16,000 new residents, the committee have now made their recommendations to the Minister for Planning. Recommendations include:
- More dwellings and at higher heights than those proposed should be developed on the site.
- Drainage and flooding matters, while important, do not need to be finalised prior to the planning scheme amendment being approved. This can be addressed at a later date.
- The supporting infrastructure required (road upgrades, community facilities etc.) should be funded by way of a Council administered Development Contributions Plan, rather than the landowner having to directly construct these.
- The percentage of affordable housing to be provided should be increased from the proposed 5% to 10% of all dwellings built.
The Minister for Planning will consider this report prior to making a final decision on whether to support the proposed redevelopment.
Building and Compliance
Hoarder and squatter properties continue to be a topical issue for our community and Councillors. On Thursday 9 January 2025, Council officers sought a Magistrates Court determination to authorise Council to clean the property at 26 Prospect Hill Crescent, Dandenong North.
Council requested four to six weeks to resolve the matter, however Magistrate Radford agreed to give the landowner 12 weeks to clean the property. This means that the final clean up date is now Wednesday 9 April 2025. Council was also awarded legal costs of $2,355 for costs to date.
We expect that this new date will not be well received by the community, and we will be prepared to be at the site the day after the expiry with our contractors to clean the property, armed with the Magistrates Court Order to undertake the works.
Business Development and Investment
Business Permit Support Service (BPSS)
In December, the BPSS handled 58 inquiries. In 2024, 735 enquiries were received, increasing by 40 enquiries from the previous year. The highest number of enquiries was recorded in May 2024 (72) while the lowest was in October 2024 (54).
South East Business Networks (SEBN)
The SEBN Women in Business Network hosted a memorable Christmas event featuring interactive challenges, innovative networking opportunities and delicious food. Around 40 businesses participated in the event. The Holiday Inn team played a crucial role in ensuring everything ran seamlessly. We received excellent feedback from our members, who appreciated the lively and enjoyable atmosphere, celebrating the accomplishments and initiatives of our Women in Business Network throughout the year.
Springvale Revitalisation
The Lantern Village is a temporary public art installation located in Multicultural Place. Students from various schools in Springvale were invited to create artwork that celebrated Lunar New Year, illustrating what makes it a special time of year for them. The artwork has been transformed into a fabric pattern, with work illuminated inside the lanterns, and will also be displayed at Springvale Community Hub.
Noble Park Revitalisation
Through advocacy from Council, BLCAC and State Government, the road presently known as ‘link road’ in Noble Park was officially gazetted as ‘Muderra Way’ on Thursday 12 December 2024. This represents the first Indigenous place name in the City of Greater Dandenong and is a momentous occasion of language and cultural sharing between Bunurong Land Council and the City of Greater Dandenong.
Chief Engineer and Major Projects
In the week before Christmas, the Victorian Government released final designs for the Webster Street Level Crossing Removal, including a significant reduction in the project timeframes. The update will be distributed to 23,500 properties this month.
The project will hold two community information sessions:
- Online via Zoom - Tuesday 21 January, 12.30pm - 1.30pm
- In person at the Dandenong Community and Learning Centre, 34 King Street, Dandenong - Thursday 23 January, 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Sanjay Manivasagasivam, Executive Director City Futures.