By CASEY NEILL
CENTRAL Dandenong traders remain hopeful that new offices will bring more shoppers through their doors.
About 70 people attended a Dandenong Retail Traders Association (DRTA) networking night at the new City of Greater Dandenong civic centre on 3 June.
Glenys Cooper chairwoman said the event was “a great night” and various businesses, Dandenong Plaza and Dandenong Market were represented.
“I spoke on us all working together,” she said.
Ms Cooper said Mayor Jim Memeti encouraged people to be proud of Dandenong and its progress – particularly the municipal building and community square.
“We had a tour of council workings,” she said.
“People were interested to know what was happening behind the big doors.”
Ms Cooper expected the influx of workers would benefit central Dandenong traders.
“There’s no more construction work going on there. We haven’t got parts or whole sections of road closed off,” she said.
“As workers get more adventurous in their lunchtimes they’ll start venturing out to the things that central Dandenong has to offer.
“Traders are certainly seeing more people walking around.
“I wouldn’t say that they’re spending more yet, but they are walking around and that’s good for morale.”
The council is asking the community to put forward potential names for the precinct, and Ms Cooper suggested it could follow Jeff’s Shed and take its name from council CEO John Bennie – Bennie’s Backyard.
“It will be interesting to see what it’s called,” she said.
“It needs to bring us all together.”
Ms Cooper said the DRTA hoped to hold another networking night in October, focusing on retailing trends.
