$6m town

By MELISSA MEEHAN
A $6 million grant for a civic centre revitalisation project in Dandenong will keep the city in good stead to remain an important regional hub for Victoria.
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean announced the regional development funding yesterday ta the Drum Theatre beside Member for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus.
Both said the $62 million precinct, which will be built in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong, will generate economic and social dividends for the area.
“The Dandenong Connects project is a great example of the three levels of government working in partnership to get a project up and running,” Mr Crean said.
“This project stacks up and joins the dots between addressing local priorities, leveraging other funding resources and sustaining the economic and social future of the region.”
He said the project meant Melbourne’s “second city” will be equipped with the facilities needed to grow economic activity while providing the community with important social infrastructure.
Mr Crean said the project included the construction of a civic square, regional library, and a conference centre.
The project will create an estimated 63 jobs each year in the retail and hospitability industries.
Mr Dreyfus congratulated the City of Greater Dandenong for delivering a project that ticked all of the regional development boxes.
“The community infrastructure will make an important contribution to the region as it continues to grow and act as a central business hub for regions across Victoria,” he said.
“Projects such as these have been selected for funding because they demonstrate clear, long-term regional benefits, including jobs and opportunities for the broader region.”
Mr Crean said the second round of the $1 billion dollar regional development funding will invest $200 million in projects across Australia, including $38.8 million for nine projects in Victoria.