Council moves into support office block change

THE City of Greater Dandenong will urge VicUrban to pitch in funds for a massive office block in central Dandenong that will house council workers from Springvale and Dandenong.
But Greater Dandenong councillors lashed out at an alternative option to rebuild on the Clow Street site because it would have required land currently occupied by residents’ houses.
A report at Tuesday night’s council meeting outlined details on the Municipal Buildings Project.
The project will determine the future of both Dandenong and Springvale’s library and customer service centre, and the Springvale City Hall.
The report urged the council to lobby VicUrban to fund a central Dandenong office block to house all of its workers.
If negotiations fail, the council will be forced to look at rebuilding on its current Clow Street site.
But while in support of the move, Cleeland Ward councillor Paul Donovan said plans for the Clow Street site would require land currently occupied by residents’ homes, and as such should be discounted.
“The plan is a great opportunity to move forward, but it severely affects some residents of Stuart and Sleeth streets in Dandenong,” he said.
“Residents will be perplexed when they read the papers and see that this development is being drawn up on their land.”
“It is disgraceful that residents have not been consulted on the matter and the plans.”
Dandenong North Ward councillor John Kelly said some residents had been there for more than 50 years.
Councillors supported the alternative motion, which supported the report but removed the intention to draw up plans for a new Clow Street site.