Work starts on state offices

By Lia Bichel
CONSTRUCTION is well under way for a new Government Services Building in Central Dandenong.
The building, which will be completed next year, will be one of the first developments delivered on VicUrban land as part of the $290 million Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative.
It will allow residents in the City of Greater Dandenong to access a number of key government services under one roof.
The building will feature 14,000 square metres of office space for the Department of Human Services, Department of Justice, Department of Planning and Community Development and Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
VicUrban’s urban revitalisation general manager Dominic Arcaro said the building location, on Mason Street, was chosen to “activate an area that already benefits from proximity to Dandenong Train Station, bus routes, eateries and existing businesses”.
Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos visited the site last week and said the building would benefit the community.
“Built by Grocon, this project will boost the local economy by $85 million and create 400 jobs during construction, which is great news for the local community,” he said.
“The fact that Grocon has invested in Dandenong is evidence that the State Government’s investment in this city is creating viable commercial development opportunities; the likes of which have not been seen here for many years.”
Grocon chief executive officer Daniel Grollo said Grocon was proud to be delivering a “landmark” building in Dandenong.
“We intend to become an important part of the Dandenong community, endeavouring to employ as many local people as possible and to contribute in a positive fashion to the life of this very vibrant area,” he said.
“The building will demonstrate Grocon’s core values of safety, sustainability, community and innovation through initiatives such as high recycling rates, creating the safest workplace possible and the use of innovative building methods.”
VicUrban and the City of Greater Dandenong are delivering the Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative on behalf of the Victorian Government.
It aims to attract more than $1 billion of private investment over then next 15 to 20 years and to restore Dandenong as the capital of Melbourne’s south-east.