The National Mainstreet Conference had an exhibition aspect that was designed to resemble a main street. The City of Greater Dandenong presented information on its Trading Places project at the conference, held last week.– Shaun Inguanzo
A PROJECT showcasing the human interest tales of Dandenong retailers was a highlight of Sixth National Mainstreet Conference in Melbourne last week.
Star reported last week that the City of Greater Dandenong had taken an active role in the conference by providing several speakers on topics that could help inspire other cities in their quest to rejuvenate their own main street shopping and eatery strips.
City of Greater Dandenong cultural development officer Rosemary Gaetjens spoke about the council’s Trading Places project, which was launched in May last year.
The project, available in book and CD formats, includes the history of 29 retail businesses in central Dandenong and was jointly funded by the council and the Department of Environment and Heritage, with contributions from the Dandenong Chamber of Commerce, Dandenong Retail Traders’ Association and the Dandenong Development Board.
Last year a Trading Places exhibition was held to coincide with the launch at Dandenong’s Heritage Hill.
The Mainstreet Conference was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the exhibition that accompanied presentations was designed to look like a main street.
VicUrban also spoke about its Revitalising Central Dandenong project at the conference.
