COMPULSORY acquisition and a planned date for a revitalised central Dandenong draft master plan were the dominant topics during a lengthy meeting between VicUrban and the city’s traders.
Monday night’s meeting was held at the Trinity Uniting Church hall in Scott Street.
Several representatives from VicUrban and the City of Greater Dandenong presented updates on major revitalisation projects and plans.
VicUrban senior project manager for the Revitalising Central Dandenong project, Fiona de Preu, revealed that a draft master plan would be due in February next year and would be open to informal consultation.
“The purpose of the informal discussions will be to share the progressive concept design of the station surrounds, city walk and Lonsdale Street and to provide information around the possible development stages and timelines,” she said.
She said the informal discussions would continue until May 2007.
“Following the informal consultation phase, VicUrban will undertake formal consultation that will involve notice, exhibition and presentations to the community at large through existing networks, special forums and displays for a period of approximately eight weeks before the urban master plan is completed,” Ms de Preu said.
Outspoken Foster Street trader Peter Hofmann said he and other traders were happy VicUrban met with them.
However, he said there were questions left unanswered, particularly which specific properties would need to be acquired by VicUrban for the project.
“But the fact is VicUrban has realised it is important to start talking to stakeholders in Dandenong as opposed to other groups around Dandenong who do not represent traders in Dandenong,” he said.
Ms de Preu told anxious traders to wait for the master plan – which would give a better indication of which properties would be targeted for redevelopment.
Mr Hofmann said traders were on the cusp of forming a committee to deal directly with VicUrban – a move that could involve the Dandenong Retail Traders’ Association.
“As to whether or not they would be happy for us to be under the one umbrella, that’s not confirmed at the moment.
“We won’t know until after the DRTA’s next committee meeting.”
Latest
Hill and Safi, a major party duel in Bruce
As the election looms on Saturday, 3 May, the electorate of Bruce is in the spotlight, with state-wide media outlets bearing down on Liberal...
