By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
REMOVING Noble Park’s boomgates will only hasten the town’s emerging boom times.
Greater Dandenong councillor Roz Blades says the bright mix of shops and restaurants, a new civic space and streetscaping was bringing people back to the previously-maligned town centre.
In the pipeline is a state-of-the-art skate park in Ross Reserve, and opening up the reserve under the council’s masterplan.
“Noble Park is buzzing along – especially so when the roundabout and railway crossing is gone,” she says.
“It used to be deserted. Now people are coming to shop here on the weekends, you can hardly get a car spot.”
Much work has gone into making Noble Park feel like an inviting village – putting behind an image of groups drinking in streets and parks.
Cr Blades said improved lighting made people feel safer – as well as “food, variety and multiculturalism”.
As an example, Quality Spices has been drawing people into the town with its famous pan rolls, she said.
“You can’t get pan rolls at Waverley Gardens or Parkmore.”
Quality Spices owner Suzie Smith says her Sri-Lankan style rolls have travelled as far as London and New York, stashed in the luggage of tempted tourists.
“It’s because we’ve got good ingredients, and we don’t cut corners – we do it the old-fashioned way.”
She says the town’s vibrancy had been re-discovered in recent times – crowds come to sample its Lebanese, Sudanese, Indian, Afghan and Thai eateries.
Ms Smith agreed that removing the nearby level crossing would give the place a further lift.
“You see the difference it made in Springvale.”
