In a bad Place

SOME $700 million of private investment in Dandenong’s revitalisation project could be in danger of falling at the final hurdle, with news that those leading the charge have been retrenched.
The State Government’s $290 million funded Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative – being delivered through Places Victoria in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong – was designed to rejuvenate the city centre and creating a fresh new future for central Dandenong.
Most of Places Victoria’s projects have been completed but it was due to release 17 large development sites in stages for private investment, valued at $700 million-plus.
Places Victoria last month closed its office in Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, following job cuts that reportedly included eight of the nine full-time staff who’d worked on the Dandenong project for more than six years.
A Places Victoria spokesperson said the organisation had “since secured some office space in the Government Services Office and will maintain a presence in central Dandenong”.
“Places Victoria’s role in delivering infrastructure and investment attraction on behalf of the Revitalising Central Dandenong project will not be impacted by this change,” they said.
“Places Victoria has a diverse portfolio of projects and partnerships across Victoria, and we will continue to meet our commitments and deliver urban renewal outcomes.”
City of Greater Dandenong CEO John Bennie said: “To the best of our knowledge it is business as usual – nothing has been shelved nor cut back.”
“We are not aware of any delays that will result from the changes at Places Victoria.”
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the local office’s closure was “due to the fact that the involvement of Places Victoria in the project is actually drawing to a conclusion and thus the local presence not as necessary”.
“It was established to advise local traders and residents as to the future of the central activities area precinct, but given all the street works are long complete, this level of advice was no longer necessary,” he said.