Hub of south-east reborn

GREATER Dandenong is fast re-emerging as the commercial, manufacturing, artistic, educational and dining hub of the south east.
With so much activity happening throughout the city, the Journal thought it was time to celebrate the positive rebirth of the region with a special 16-page wrap.
Residents, traders and those who work within the city’s boundaries can be rightly proud of ‘Destination Greater Dandenong’.
As other areas suffer an economic downturn with the decline of major manufacturing, Greater Dandenong remains home to some of the state’s most innovative and cutting edge businesses.
South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA) executive officer Adrian Bodan is upbeat in his assessment of the area’s economic future, telling the Journal “There seems to be a clear revival in confidence” and confidently predicting that “Manufacturing will always be here”.
Hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure investment is transforming the region.
The centre of Dandenong is now a vibrant hub of activity following the opening in April of the new civic centre, library and public square on the corner Lonsdale and Walker Street.
The building complements other major developments in the heart of Dandenong including the Government Services Building, the new ATO and the impressive transformation of Lonsdale Street into a pedestrian friendly boulevard.
Revitalisation projects are also underway in Noble Park and Springvale, while Keysborough continues to undergo a building boom as new residents move into the suburb to build their dream home, putting a spring in the step of the real estate industry.
Education is another of the city’s success stories. Schools across both the public and private sphere are meeting the challenges posed by students with unique cultural and socio-economic needs, while also challenging high achievers to reach their full potential.
Greater Dandenong is also home to a thriving cultural and foodie scene.
The Drum Theatre regularly plays host to world-class performances. In July Opera Australia chose the The Drum for the Australian launch of its touring production of The Magic Flute.
Artists from around the world who now call Greater Dandenong home add to the rich intellectual and artistic life of the city, producing creative works encompassing public sculpture, performance art, visual art and textiles.
Food is key to the revitalisation of Greater Dandenong, making it a must destination for people from all over Melbourne and interstate keen to experience authentic cooking from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
With so much going on Greater Dandenong is without a doubt a key destination for employment, investment, education, shopping and leisure, now and into the future.