By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
FORMER Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti is confident a China-based developer’s plans for a giant theme park in Bangholme will translate well locally after recently returning from a working trip in China.
Cr Memeti said the “idea would absolutely work” after visiting would-be developer Chongqing Meixin’s Chinese theme park on 23 October, which he stressed was an aside to a trade fair visit in the council’s sister city Xuzhou.
He said the door-manufacturing company’s chief executive Ming Xian Xia who had a “passion for theme parks”, showed them around a park filled with roller coasters, scenic train rides, waterslides and a Ferris wheel.
The park is also flavoured with Chinese iconography such as a replica Great Wall of China.
“(Mr Xia) was showing us around and said that’s what he’d like to build in Australia.
“He recently purchased a house in Melbourne and just wants to contribute to Australia.
“It was free entry, and I couldn’t believe how cheap the rides are. They’re the equivalent of 20 cents a ride.”
As reported last month by the Journal, the company has proposed building the theme park within a 43-hectare paddock at 616 Frankston-Dandenong Road bought by Meixin Australia for $5.335 million on 29 August.
The site is in a green-wedge zone, close to EastLink and within a buffer zone prohibiting large groups of people near a Melbourne Water sewerage treatment plant.
Cr Memeti said it was up to council planners whether Bangholme was the “right site”.
“I was just trying to represent Dandenong and get good outcomes. I will continue to promote Dandenong for businesses to have chances on the world market.
“There’s 2 million people in the south-east, enough people to support the park.”
