By CASEY NEILL
TRANSPORT, traffic flow and attitude were the key discussion points at a Committee for Dandenong briefing on 30 July.
The group is a focal point for concerned businesses in the area and aims to promote planning and development.
President Gary Castricum said the event at Ginger Jones in Dandenong shared the group’s work over the past 12 months and its future plans.
Guests included about 60 business leaders, City of Greater Dandenong CEO John Bennie, Manufacturing Minister David Hodgett, Opposition small business spokesman Bruce Bilson
and Frankston MP Geoff Shaw.
“We’re actively seeking support for the Port of Hastings and the inland port connection with Dandenong,” Mr Castricum said.
“We talked also particularly about transport issues in Dandenong and transport issues affecting Dandenong South.”
Abbotts Road was a focus, where the committee has proposed a toll road to bypass railway crossing congestion.
The committee sees the proposed east-west link as a positive for traffic flow in Dandenong, and supports plans for more carriages on trains travelling the Dandenong line.
“We’d love to see a third line but that doesn’t appear to be happening in the short term,” Mr Castricum said.
Changing Dandenong’s public image and the attitude of businesses towards the CBD are in the committee’s sights.
“We need to embrace the CBD and embrace what’s happening in Dandenong and the people of Dandenong,” Mr Castricum said.
He said there was positive news coming in the short term about development of the seven hectares Places Victoria still controls in the CBD as part of the Revitalising Central Dandenong project.
Mr Castricum also urged business owners at the meeting to register a postal vote in council elections.
“It’s not happening enough and we’re very keen for them to do so,” he said.
“More than half the rates of Greater Dandenong Council are paid by businesses.”
Visit www.committeefordandenong.com.au for more information.
