A vacant lot on Foster Street will be transformed into Pop-Up-Park. (artist impression)By Lia Bichel
TWO dozen youths will secure a traineeship transforming a vacant lot on Foster Street into a Dandenong hotspot.
A park featuring two movable synthetic soccer pitches, barbecue facilities and greenery will be located across from the Dandenong Train Station and will be home to a mixture of structured sports activities for the entire community.
Twenty-four traineeships for local youth – along with five long-term supervisor and facility maintenance jobs – will be created for construction of the Pop-Up-Park, which is expected to be completed early next year.
VicUrban secured a federal fund of $608,000 to make the park possible.
The Australian Government’s Jobs Funds Initiative is designed to support and create jobs and skill development in local communities such as Dandenong.
VicUrban’s development director Michael King said VicUrban applied for the grant to temporarily activate an under-utilised site prior to its eventual redevelopment as part of the Victoria Government’s Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative.
“The relocatable Pop-Up-Park will initially be installed close to public transport to create structured and fun recreational activity in the Foster Street area at different times of the day,” he said.
“Soccer is a very popular sport within the area and Pop-Up-Park will encourage the young, young-at-heart and families to have fun in the heart of Dandenong.”
VicUrban will deliver the project through a partnership with Mission Australia’s Urban Renewal enterprise.
Mission Australia will recruit the 29 employment positions required to construct the park.
Mission Australia’s Community Service Operations manager Stuart McGougan said the project was a great opportunity for young people in the area.
“The partnership with VicUrban on such a high-profile facility will enhance the opportunities for local people to gain long term employment with other contractors on the revitalisation project,” Mr McGougan said.
Construction of the temporary facility is expected to begin late this year.
Within five years the park will either be incorporated into the design of the eventual redevelopment of the site or be relocated to an alternative location in Dandenong.
Wherever possible, the construction method and materials of the facility will be selected to ensure it can be relocated in the future.
