Silver screen set

By Nicole Williams
THE design is finalised, buildings are demolished, contracts are signed and now the big screen at Greater Dandenong’s new municipal building has been given the green light.
The screen has been a possible addition to the design of the civic square since the design was finalised but councillors gave the addition their stamp of approval at Monday night’s meeting.
Touted as a Federation Square-style square, the council hopes the screen will attract visitors to big broadcast events.
It will cost council an additional $1.8 million on the $62 million project budget.
Cr Roz Blades said it would add to Dandenong’s landscape.
“Residents can sit like in Federation Square and watch the soccer or tennis or the Rolling Stones,” she said.
“It will add to Dandenong like the Drum Theatre has.”
At the meeting, Greater Dandenong Director of Engineering Services Bruce Rendell said it would be a great attraction.
“The new square will be an attraction for not only our residents but broader residents,” he said.
“We want to stop people having to travel an hour (to Federation Square) and attract them to Dandenong instead.”
The report tabled at the council meeting said community feedback had been positive and exciting.
“The big screen offers residents of Greater Dandenong significant benefits,” the report said.
“It helps attract users to a space that will become the heart of a revitalised city.”
The big screen has been a possible addition to the municipal project since the design was finalised. However as it was not part of the original project scope, it was not included in the $62 million project budget.
Greater Dandenong Council has since received state and federal government funding worth $7.5 million, which will offset the cost of the big screen, in addition to an end-of-year cash surplus.
The report said the final source of funding would be decided in the mid-year review or annual budget process.
Mayor Youhorn Chea also officially signed the construction contracts with Watpac last week which will see the sod turned and construction begin on the multi-million dollar municipal building.
Cr Chea said it was exciting to see the building get underway during her mayoral term.
“It is very, very exciting,” he said.
The building will start taking shape during October and will be completed in mid-2014.