By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A successful bid for an A-league football licence could kick-start the stalled revitalisation of central Dandenong, says local councillor Jim Memeti.
The Team 11 bid – backed by Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia councils – is among 10 submissions across the country bidding for two new A-League licences.
Under the proposal, the team would play at a proposed $175 million boutique stadium near Dandenong railway station.
It would create a stream of 465,000 visitors a year, and create 444 ongoing jobs and $114 million of economic activity, according to a Greater Dandenong Council report.
The stadium itself would generate about 1000 jobs during construction, and 50 on an ongoing basis.
It could lead to a long-awaited boom of private investment in the city – such as hotels, restaurants, bars and brand-name retailers, Greater Dandenong’s Cr Memeti said.
The State Government’s $290 million Rivitalising Central Dandenong project, announced in 2006, led to a flurry of significant public buildings and radical re-casting of streets.
“There was a lot of state and federal funding but we haven’t seen much private investment,” Cr Memeti said.
“There’s been some but not at the rate we’d like to see.”
Cr Memeti said at least two extra hotels would be required for thousands of interstate spectators. They would also dine out on the variety of cuisines and entertainment at The Drum.
The flow-on could be the return of big-brand retailers to Lonsdale Street, he said.
“When you create a more buzzing central Dandenong, you bring back people and the shop keepers.”
A new consortium South-East Melbourne Team 11 has been approved with delegate powers by Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia councils.
It would remain constrained by an agreed budget by the councils. Greater Dandenong Council has contributed $110,000 to the bid.
Team 11’s final proposal to Football Federation Australia closes on 31 August.
