Proponents are “shocked” and “angered” that a future Dandenong Community Hub may not cater for children.
To date, Greater Dandenong council’s community services director Martin Fidler has not confirmed or denied whether children’s services are part of the mix.
Dandenong Community Association spokesperson Silvia Mastrogiovanni said suspicions were raised when the council raised an option for a double-storey building with no room for a playground.
“By leaving out children’s services the hub will no longer be a central meeting place for all ages and cultures in Dandenong.
“Why would they leave us with a white elephant and forget Dandy kids and their families?”
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The first steps for the sell-off of Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre have formally started.
City of Greater Dandenong will open public submissions on its desire to sell the 1000-square-metre block at 1-9 Walker Street, Dandenong.
The public art and open space at the site’s northern side would be retained by the council.
It makes way for a contemporary gallery housed in a refurbished ex-Masonic Lodge in nearby Mason Street.
The council has provisionally dubbed the new venue ‘Dandenong New Art’.
A ‘special committee’ of mayor Angela Long and councillors Jim Memeti and Bob Milkovic will hear and report on the public submissions.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Despite rate capping and a $17 million Covid hit, Greater Dandenong will spend big on capital works in its draft 2021-‘22 budget.
Residential rates bills – including waste charges – will rise on average by $27.60 (up 1.92 per cent).
The median household rates will be $1467.
Meanwhile, commercial businesses get some rates relief – down by an average of 3.9 per cent.
The council’s proposed $63 million capital works program is up by $20 million on 2020-‘21. It is being presented as a stimulus measure.
“Capital spending will stimulate local employment, businesses and suppliers,” chief executive John Bennie stated.
“The budget is one that strikes a good balance between ensuring Council continues to provide operational services and support to the community and a capital spending program to provide much needed local infrastructure.”