By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Twin 12-storey apartment towers are being proposed to kick-start a revamp of Armada Dandenong Plaza.
The $70 million development for 211 apartments would require a reduction in the statutory car parking requirement.
It is touted as Stage 1 of the renewal of the shopping centre on McCrae and Clow streets.
The application was lodged with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on 20 June, with the department awaiting “further information” on the proposal.
Being in the Revitalising Central Dandenong declared area, its fate will be ultimately decided by Planning Minister Richard Wynne.
In the meantime, the application will be referred to City of Greater Dandenong and state agencies to comment.
The application will also be open for public viewing and submissions.
Greater Dandenong councillor Matthew Kirwan said the basis of the application was that Dandenong Plaza had a surplus of car parking.
“The central activity centre is definitely the best place for large apartment buildings, rather than in residential streets.
“It’s a good location next to Dandenong Plaza and near Dandenong Market.
“The question in my mind is whether there’s the market demand for this to be built in the foreseeable future.”
Cr Kirwan said several approved apartment projects were “on hold” in central Dandenong.
“The demand for apartments in the outer suburbs is less than what it was a few years ago.”
A recent application to vary the Spectra Apartments project to include serviced apartments was a good response, Cr Kirwan said.
Armada Dandenong Plaza declined to comment.
