100 years ago
12 June 1924
Submitted to Auction
There was an attendance of about 400 residents at the Dandenong saleyards on Saturday afternoon, the date fixed for the disposal of the market yards site, having frontages to Lonsdale and McCrae streets. Considerable feeling had been created amongst ratepayers, owing to the fact that the Shire council adhered to its decision to sell the land referred to, despite the opposition of a large number of ratepayers. Being considered an historical event in the records of Dandenong, few attended with any serious intentions in regards to purchase, but many did so – merely for the sake of being present and seeing “how the sale would go”. Mr Keast, who wielded the hammer, said he was pleased to see such a large attendance, which was actually the largest gathering he had seen at a land sale for the past 25 years. The land had to be sold, as the Shire council intended re-building the market on portion of the land purchased for the purpose some time ago. Ten blocks were sold, for a total of about 6,000 pounds. Eight lots were “passed in” for private sale.
50 years ago
11 June 1974
Multi-Million Project on Way?
A massive multi-million shopping complex may be built on the Princes Hwy at Hallam.
One of Australia’s leading real estate development companies has had preliminary discussions on the project with Berwick City Council. Councillor Wishart said “I believe this council will need rateable money in the near future. The suggestion by Hanover Holdings for this complex at Hallam could assist this council in years to come.” The site on Princes Hwy near the freeway is zoned general industrial and would need to be re-zoned to restricted business or general business. During their “in camera” meeting with Berwick City Councillors, Hanover Holdings are believed to have put forward ideas for a huge collection of shops including a K-Mart store and a bistro and car parking for 800 cars. Councill Wishart told council there was a growing dissatisfaction with the parking situation in Dandenong for shoppers.
20 years ago
14 June 2004
Council buys defence land.
Greater Dandenong Council’s bid to purchase a parcel of Defence Department land, including an old army drill hall, in Lonsdale Street has been successful. Real estate agents estimated the site was worth at least $500,000, but the council wanted it for significantly less. The council stepped in with its priority sale offer. It indicated to would-be developers it would not rezone the site for any other use other than recreation. It is believed the drill hall, built in the 1890s, could be demolished, a decision that would raise the ire of local heritage defenders. Until recently, the site was used by the Australian Army Reserve.
5 years ago
10 June 2019
Townhouses: green light
A 66 townhouse development proposed for a greenfield site in Keysborough has been given the all-clear by the state’s planning tribunal. Developer Eastar Group scaled-down its proposal from 74 dwellings, reducing the number of dwelling bedrooms and introducing a small pocket park and more landscaped space on the 3.4 hectare site for 258 Hutton Road. The council remained opposed to the revised proposal due to the overdevelopment, neighbourhood character and urban design concerns. It opposed the “sub-standard” narrow street widths with little space for street trees or onsite parking. Mr Nelthorpe said none of these points were grounds for refusal. The proposed density was in accord with the Keysborough South Development Plan, despite not offering a mix of conventional and medium-density lots.
Compiled by Dandenong & District Historical Society
