By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
A FIGHT is growing over the future of a former gardening nursery site in Springvale South.
The owner of the former Treeplanters Nursery site last year submitted to Greater Dandenong Council an application for a $6.9 million 66-unit building, including 28 double-storey townhouses.
The site, at 530-534 Springvale Road, neighbours a three-storey Bright Moon Buddhist Society temple.
The Dandenong Greens branch is set to decide tomorrow night whether to instead back a campaign for community gardens at the one-hectare site.
The vision entails using the existing building as a community centre, which could train unemployed people in courses such as life skills and horticulture, using the nursery’s copious plots for the gardens. The plots and meeting rooms could also be shared by the region’s residents and community groups.
Greens regional convener Nina Springle (pictured) said the party’s stance was sparked by neighbouring residents’ opposition to the apartments.
There was a need for a community hub in Springvale South, she said. “It’s the perfect place for gardens. This region could be like CERES environmental park — it could be an amazing contribution to this community. It could be a centre for job creation, vocational training, and linking youth to job networks.
“All the community-building stuff comes from having strong, vibrant community spaces.”
A Greater Dandenong spokeswoman said the council was awaiting “further information and documentation to support [the applicant’s] proposals”. “No timelines on a decision can be given because at this stage further information remains outstanding.”
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