Early voters rocked up at the Dandenong Stadium in a strong turnout to cast their votes in the Bruce electorate Elderly individuals – a majority pensioners – and young small families were first in line as the early voter centre opened on 22 April The scene at the Dandenong Stadium almost seemed like a preview of Election Day on 3 May A pensioner told Star Journal that he felt left out by the major parties and politicians all parties have not considered the pensioners We’ve paid taxes all our lives and all we get is shit,” he said as he walked towards the car park having just voted “Everyone who comes to our country we welcome them Cost of living and increase in crime rates are recurring themes amongst the voters it has impacted everyone from all walks of lives Voters said there didn’t seem to be a viable option to the cost of living situation None of the voters said they were attracted to any of the election promises made by the parties-particularly the two major parties who has been living in Greater Dandenong for more than 30 years saying he voted for whoever he believed to be “best for pensioners.” Aimee Keily stood in the line to vote with her husband and eight-month-old daughter She says she had to get off maternity leave earlier than expected because they can’t afford to keep up with the expenses “I wanted at least a year- I should’ve gone back five months ago but stretched it to make it another three months a pensioner said he just went with his “heart and mind” at the time of voting “We can carry a $100 worth of grocery back home in one hand whereas it used to take the two of us to carry it “They’re offering all these things now but where are they getting all the money to do it Another voter Rodger Tchung said he voted for the Labor party out of habit but also acknowledged the recurring cost-of-living theme won’t be a quick fix by the next government anyone to take over this government will take a long time to fix this the Labor Party has made 19 election promises worth $17 million for the Dandenong region compared to the Coalition’s five promises worth $10 million Both major parties have focused on fixing up sports grounds in the area The Labor party has also made more announcements to local organisations such as Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre (SMRC) ($1.25m) Centre for Multicultural Youth ($600,000) and Wellsprings for Women ($407,000) Few voters disapproved the overspending by the two major parties saying “so much money is being wasted where there shouldn’t be wasted.” Asking about which party they would preference “It’ll be good to see a party come along that actually looks after the people and all the politicians are doing is looking after themselves “Where they are spending it and directing it with each of the campaign-it’s just wrong.” While he approves of the $5 million pledge by the Labor party for Dandenong Hospital ICU “all this other stuff is too much” referring to the investments like the $1.5 million to the SMRC It seems the voters focuses aren’t only on the two major parties anymore and are seeking other options A long-term Labor voter said he intended to vote for the Labor party but preferred to vote for an independent as he no longer felt confident in the Albanese Government but there’s no chance he’d vote for Liberals Ayub Muhammad said previously he was open to vote for one of the two major parties but not this time around He will instead vote for someone endorsed by the Muslim Votes Matter largely influenced by the war on Gaza at the hands of Israel Other long-term Labor (and Liberal) supporters said they would stick with voting for the same parties out of habit Rhonda Garad for the Greens handed out pamphlets along with volunteers and so did Liberals candidate Zahid Safi while Oppositions leader Brad Battin spoke to Star Journal Cranbourne and Clyde early voter centres saying “the field’s been really good.” “People are out very early and I’d say they’re pretty keen for a change “Normally you warm up a little bit and the second week gets busier “When you get early voters we hope that it’s just more people wanting to get rid of the government quickly so that’s our hope “But the reality is people are getting used to early voting and its becoming a norm and I think election day is going to get quieter and quieter.” The AEC will close booths on Anzac Day this Friday 25 April centres will be open from 8.30 am – 5.30 pm centres will be open from 9am – 4pm and from 8.30 am – 6pm on Friday 2 May Greater Dandenong councillors are set to consider whether to cease using the controversial ‘Afghan Bazaar’ marketing name for a popular Thomas Street precinct A council officer’s report will recommend the move – ahead of community consultation on the name – at the council’s upcoming meeting on Monday evening 14 April It comes after a Hazara group’s petition to rename the precinct to Little Bamiyan sparked fierce debate among Afghan-Australian communities The report proposes that the terms ‘Afghan Bazaar’ or ‘Afghan precinct’ do not align with Geographic Names Victoria (GNV) naming rules It noted a lack of community consensus on the issue and the term not fully aligning with a “shared sense of belonging” the marketing name will be up for community consultation Gulghotai Bezhan OAM is the founder and president of the Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria (AWOV) since 2009 It is one of the nine organisations that were part of a collective letter against a name change Ms Bezhan says Council’s proposal to cease the use of ‘Afghan Bazaar’ is both disappointing and unfair We have bigger issues in the Afghan community such as family violence “We should be more concerned about these issues rather than fighting over the Thomas Street marketing name I suggested removing all names and keep it as Thomas Street.” She says the proposed petition to change the name is “nonsense” with the hot issue unbeneficial for Afghans locally and worldwide she says she is happy with Afghan Bazaar to recognise all Afghans She noted many organisations in Greater Dandenong that have the term ‘Afghan’ are founded and operated by people from different ethnic backgrounds from Afghanistan Barat Batoor who initiated a petition to change the precinct’s name to Little Bamyan welcomed the “good first step” although belated he is still concerned at Council’s proposed reconsideration of ‘Afghan Bazaar’ as the area’s “legacy name” during the community engagement “This contradiction undermines the Council’s commitment to inclusion “Reverting to a name tied to the systemic erasure of Hazaras—a community that has endured genocide and now thrives in Melbourne—risks reopening wounds and deepening division “Any future naming process must prioritise terms that unite “We urge the Council to collaborate transparently with the Hazara community and businesses on Thomas Street to ensure a name that reflects our shared values of dignity and belonging “Why revisit a term already deemed harmful when the path forward lies in healing and inclusion?” Another report in May will indicate a proposed timeline for a community consultation process with businesses and traders on Thomas Street two 30,000-plus signature petitions – one supporting Afghan Bazaar and the other Little Bamyan – were tabled at the council The issue has garnered attention both nationally and internationally on social media “Feedback from the community over several months has indicated that there does not appear to be community consensus about the alternative names proposed to fully align with the principle of fostering a shared sense of belonging and inclusion for all,” the council report stated “Council recognises that the formal naming of public places should seek to build consensus rather than divide the community.” Greater Dandenong councillors have called for calm after a live TikTok video of a man threatening violence in Dandenong has stoked further tensions in the proposed Afghan Bazaar name-change debate in which he allegedly made threats to “leave a record that a Hazara youngster has stabbed a Pashtun.” He later claimed he was pushed to the edge of his patience after experiencing harassment and intimidation from a group of Pashtun boys as well as adults Mr Khan told Star Journal that his videos were only for the people who seemed to have an issue with him He said he has no issue with anyone else and hasn’t been violent to anyone or any ethnic groups According to a purported ‘newspaper article’ on social media the live post sparked panic and rising fear in the Pashtun community from Afganistan It further escalates the heated debate over a proposed name-change of Afghan Bazaar precinct in Thomas Street Dandenong to Little Bamyan The video disturbed members of the community including Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti Cr Memeti reiterated the importance of the peace meeting he held with community faith leaders and other members from the pro-Little Bamyan and pro-Afghan Bazaar groups on Friday 21 February He advised anyone facing similar intimidation to ring Triple-Zero or lodge a complaint at the police station “It creates anxiety when things are on social media so the best form of action is to report it to the police if that’s what was happening to go to the authorities instead of going to the social media “I wouldn’t recommend to anybody to share on social media because you’re creating more division and fear.” Mr Khan says the boys lingered around his car after 11pm despite him asking them to leave him alone “The young boys kept their fists clenched making out boxing actions throwing punches in the air and pretending to warm up like they do before a boxing fight “I didn’t want to create any problems that night so I let it go but after a few days they sent their adults “They would come in a car with dark-tinted windows and park next to me and stay in the car disturbing me on top of the existing issues I have.” He says some adult Pashtun males surrounded his car starred at him and stayed at a distance to speak with one another and repeat the actions again “I couldn’t do anything else when they came that night – for me to go to the police station “The amount of anxiety and depression they have given me in the past two weeks on the street “I have the right to express that frustration with my mouth and voice to get my pain out “I said (during the video) if they have a problem with me made to look like a proper news article from a purported newspaper ‘Melbourne Daily.’ “Afghan community in fear after Hazara youth issues violent threats on TikTok.” Mr Khan says there was no mention of Afghan Bazaar or Little Bamyan in his live session and neither does he support either petitions if I knew my actions would cause so much problem for my Hazara community “I am not happy at all about my actions causing any negative impact for my Hazara community for it to create division in the community It was just my personal experience which I addressed.” Mr Khan has been living alone in Australia for almost 15 years with his family overseas in Pakistan He attempts to work and support his wife and son overseas whilst at the same time finding himself homeless says the unknown ‘Melbourne Daily’ newspaper appeared to be fake “If the name is not real (that tells you straightaway) The text may have been AI generated or not it doesn’t matter because the newspaper itself is not real “It’s a problem because these things add fuel on the fire unfortunately and some people’s responses is to react “The best response for us all is not to react and let things settle down.” Councillor Rhonda Garad called for leaders not to jump to judgement “Any mention of violence is unacceptable and nobody is supporting any level of violence at all within our community “Having said that it appears this young boy apparently is living in desperate circumstances “Pushing on material that shows aggression is not helping the overall situation “Where extreme videos are posted we should look at why and who has posted the video “We need to be showing leadership and look into their situation what’s behind it before we start making judgements or pushing these videos to other people where they can be inflammatory.” Greater Dandenong acting chief executive officer Sanjay Manivasagasivam has confirmed the council is aware of the TikTok video “We understand Victoria Police have also received reports about it “Threats of violence are unacceptable in our community and have no place in public discourse “Anyone who is concerned about community safety should report it to Victoria Police on 131 444 or in an emergency We’re removing the dangerous and congested level crossing by closing Webster Street at the level crossing and building a new road under the rail line connecting Princes Highway-Lonsdale Street to Cheltenham and Hammond roads We’re setting up one of our construction site offices along Thomas Street in Dandenong and starting early works including getting ready to relocate one of Melbourne’s major gas pipelines later this year 75cm in diameter and runs right through the heart of Dandenong The project will relocate part of the pipeline to build the new road underpass Crews are on site looking for underground utilities preparing the ground for heavy machinery and getting ready to start piling works for the foundations of the new road underpass Webster Street will be closed to vehicles at the level crossing in late 2025, and the new road underpass will open in 2026, 2 years ahead of schedule. Getting rid of the Webster Street level crossing later this year will make the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines boom gate free the Metro Tunnel will connect the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines with five new underground stations in the city The project includes a new walking and cycling path under the Dandenong Creek rail bridge connecting to the Dandenong Creek Trail connecting residents to local shops and services in Dandenong's CBD The new walking and cycling path will open later this year Wallarano Primary School’s Breakfast Club is a big deal relying on contributions by the community organisations and humble suppliers to sustain the program The club supports a rising number of between 80 to 90 students on any given morning to ensure students sit classes with their belly full so they can focus on their learning The breakfast club runs two mornings a week after a relaunch post-Covid Principal Maree Williams says students and families responses have been “overwhelmingly positive.” “Breakfast Club ensures that students begin their day with a meal while connecting with friends and peers creating a sense of community and readiness for learning “We are incredibly grateful to Coles Noble Park Woolworths Keysborough and Foodbank for their generous support of this initiative Thank you to everyone involved in making this program possible and helping to give our children the best start to their day.” The school hosted Mulgrave MP Eden Foster and South-East Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis as well as Coles Noble Park store manager Jason Addicott on Thursday 1 May The school receive weekly Coles gift cards to purchase essential items for the breakfast club such as fresh fruit Foodbank also support the vital program through providing fresh produce The school are also lucky enough to have local volunteers which consists of parents community members and staff volunteers who arrive earrly in the morning to setup the stations in time to greet students The Breakfast Club was founded to provide not only food but to create a warm and inclusive environment where students can relax William Fragiadakis says the program is a testament to what can be achieved with “care compassion and shared commitment” to the children’s wellbeing “The impact of a simple breakfast is profound—it fuels learning and builds a stronger school community.” A massive 1,600-plus reports of illegal waste have been logged in Greater Dandenong since 2023 and the authorities are struggling to keep up there were 2,850 reports of illegal dumping and littering in 2023 there had already been 533 reports across the state meaning the daily average had climbed to 11 there have been 1,655 reports since 2023—more than the Western Metropolitan Region and just behind the Northern Metropolitan Region Major clean-ups have included abandoned chemicals at David Barry Logistics in Dandenong South industrial waste at sites in Keysborough and Bangholme and the ongoing issue of a tyre stockpile in Dandenong South The surge in illegal dumping has caused the EPA to ramp up its enforcement efforts the authority prosecuted 51 cases of waste crime The financial burden of illegal dumping is significant who is also running as a Greens federal election candidate is dubbing the illegal dumping as “a problem for everyone.” “Rubbish dumping is a problem on many levels it’s a real problem for councils because it’s an uncontrolled cost,” she said The unpredictability of illegal dumping means waste collection contractors are forced to respond on irregular Councils everywhere are having to look at the services they provide and make tough decisions about where to allocate funds,” she said have already cut back on services like library hours and aged care in response to financial pressure illegal dumping affects liveability and aesthetics “When I was door-knocking for the last election almost invariably the biggest issue residents raised was how horrible the streets looked with all the dumping.” “The dumped rubbish in Dandenong is not only making our area look terrible but it’s also a real risk to children and animals who might get hurt by sharp objects or hazardous waste “It’s frustrating for those of us who take care to keep our neighbourhood clean.” or disregard that is causing the surge in illegal dumping Cost-of-living pressures are also said to be contributing to the problem Many offenders dump rubbish illegally because they cannot afford the fees associated with proper disposal “People often don’t have the means to hire a trailer has seen increased waste due to the high turnover of rental and social housing in the area An individual caught dumping small items like cigarette butts or food packaging faces a $395 fine which increases to $790 if the litter is dangerous the fines are $1,976 for small items and $3,952 for dangerous litter the EPA issued nearly 4,400 infringement notices for littering which makes it a financial hazard for landlords local councils and state government authorities EPA Southern Metropolitan Regional Manager said “we urge landholders and landlords to be alert to stockpiling on their property and every Victorian can report illegal dumping where they see it.” “A photograph or a number plate can help us hold the offender to account,” he said authorities and local councils are suffering mounting pressure to find solutions “We need to look at innovative ways that people can responsibly dispose I think if people have responsible options and community well-being remain a pressing concern Greater Dandenong Council was contacted for comment on Friday 4 April Reports of illegal dumping to be made via EPA’s 24-hour hotline at 1300 372 842 Leading the way to greener and smarter mobility Our ambition is to accompany all transportation stakeholders in meeting tomorrow’s mobility challenges We strive to provide them with the most efficient and digital mobility systems while further improving the environmental friendliness of our solutions We offer products from the broadest portfolio range in the rail industry Our innovation focus is on green and smart solutions Our state-of-the-art signalling solutions allow operators to ensure the highest standards in safe seamless travel with urban and mainline solutions that meet the specific needs of each operation environment With the widest components portfolio in the rail industry Alstom offers the best solution available to original equipment manufacturers for increasingly safe and environmentally-friendly travel We offer a complete range of sustainable solutions for tracklaying electrification and the supply and installation of electromechanical material along the entire track We provide solutions to deliver security and fluidity to passengers and operations by optimising real-time performance in signalling and multimodality by offering connectivity and automating driving We offer a complete range of customised services including maintenance All of which ensure operators the highest level of availability for their fleets Drawing on our complementary business lines we offer bundled and fully integrated systems that include rolling stock This turnkey approach optimises project execution and transport system performance Find the latest Alstom press releases and news The one stop shop for all relevant information for investors and shareholders Access our financial & share information shareholders' meetings and investors' contacts & presentations Select the agenda platform you whish to add the event on : Alstom Equity Story Universal Registration Document 2023/24 including the annual financial report we value curious and innovative people who are passionate about working together to reinvent mobility where diverse people are offered opportunities to learn with options across functions and geographies a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its Dandenong facility in Victoria which employs over 500 people and spans approximately 19 hectares is one of the largest and most advanced rail manufacturing facilities in Australia The Australian rail manufacturing industry has seen significant growth in recent decades driven by increasing investments in public transport Alstom has rapidly expanded its operations focusing substantial investments on the Dandenong site along with the Ballarat site in regional Victoria and several other facilities nationwide “Victoria is the home of rail manufacturing in Australia and Alstom’s Dandenong site is central to this legacy,” said Pascal Dupond Managing Director of Alstom Australia and New Zealand “Our contribution to Victoria’s public transport network is made possible by the skills We are proud to continue this deep partnership with the State to deliver world-class trams and trains,” he concluded The Alstom Dandenong site has a rich history in Australia's rail manufacturing Originally part of the Commonwealth Engineering (Comeng) the facility quickly became one of Victoria’s key sites for building trains the Dandenong plant contributed to the development of iconic Australian rail vehicles and trams that have served cities such as Melbourne the site experienced several ownership changes reflecting shifts in the global rail industry. Under Alstom’s leadership the Dandenong site became a cornerstone of Australian rail manufacturing producing modern trains and trams tailored to local needs.  Alstom is a key partner in delivering Australia’s major rolling stock projects including: The Dandenong site has been instrumental in building Melbourne’s iconic trains and trams over the years including the “Blue” suburban Harris Trains Dandenong South level crossing was removed by building rail bridges over the road The level crossing was located in a busy industrial area its removal untangles this bottleneck and frees up traffic It was removed as part of the Cranbourne Line Upgrade, which includes: The Greens Road level crossing was removed in February 2022 the Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030 Federal Labor has just announced a $1.85 million investment into multicultural communities in the south east if re-elected The SMRC may finally have their own permanent home in a $1.25 million funding announcement and a $600,000 to Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) to fund its feasibility study for a youth hub potentially in Dandenong Bruce incumbent MP Julian Hill made the announcements on Tuesday morning (8 April) at the Southern Migrant Refugee Centre in Dandenong in presence of chief executive officers for both organisations and team members Cassandra Fernando Federal MP for Holt and Mark Dreyfus who is also the assistant minister for citizenship and multicultural affairs recognised and appreciated the critical works of both organisations for youth and diverse communities to feel safe connected and empowered and in turn drive down racism and isolation issues “For years community leaders have talked about the need for a Multicultural Youth Hub in south-east Melbourne “But until now no one has done the hard work of bringing governments and leaders together to make it happen “This investment will help to turn this great idea into reality developing an operating and funding model and examining successful models in Australia and overseas.” He boasted Greater Dandenong of not just being a multicultural diverse community but also for its harmonious multicultural community made with the “magic ingredient” of political leadership community and faith leadership that “sets the tone for the country.” Mr Hill said the diverse community was not supported in the past nine years the Liberals were in power The feasibility study will involve young people council and community to co-design the youth hub on what it should do and where it should be located Whilst the location is said to be in Greater Dandenong chief executive officer for CMY Carmel Guerra says the answers depend on the co-design discussion with young people “What we found that young people often say they want space to do their own programs but they also want space where other young people come together Because that’s what they do when they come to Australia they cling to their own first but then they want to mix with multicultural (people) and find connections with others “We’re thinking (of a location) close to public transport We don’t have any fixed ideas but we know young people may say she says a multifaceted building would be ideal that can have closed rooms activity spaces and office space for youth workers to support any young person that may need supporting with schools or housing “There are youth problems but there are also young people who want to help… hopefully this will be let’s empower young people to find solutions.” The room heard from CMY youth facilitator working with newly arrived refugees and migrants who was also supported by CMY in her resettlement journey and a CMY volunteer Clara Ah Dar Both spoke of the direct impact of CMY’s works on the diverse youth and the positive impacts of the much needed youth hub While works are subject to the federal election results and funds granted the feasibility report is expected to take 12-18 months to complete overall a three year wait to see the hub standing Ms Guera hopes for a combination of federal local and even philanthropist funding to acquire a building SMRC is ready to move out from their current five year lease contract on Clow Street to end this year Chairperson of the board of directors for SMRC Ponniah Anandajayasekeram says they have initiated a hunting process for their new home parking space – those are the predominant criteria we’re looking at “We have started chatting with real estate agents We will start speaking with them more aggressively “We wanted to have a permanent home but we were open in who will come forward with the funding.” He says it has been a year in process to have a funding secured after discussions with the State and Federal MP’s and Greater Dandenong city council SMRC board member of more than three decades now Wicki Wickiramasingham Nagamuthu has been heavily involved in the Greater Dandenong community particularly in supporting refugees and migrants He has been one that has helped to shape the diverse Greater Dandenong community seen today through his advocacy and works as the board member of SMRC He is “extremely happy” about the funding especially after seeing the organisation move spaces seven times before they secured the Greater Dandenong Council building “The new site should be convenient to our clients We are expecting more community groups to join us.” the Victorian Tamil Cultural School and also the Community Volunteer Broadcasting Service South East residents are encouraged to get their flu vaccination now as an early flu season has hit the area Acting director of the Monash Health South East Public Health Unit (SEPHU) said the latest data showed 90 per cent more cases in South East Melbourne than at the same time last year and we have already had more than 4,300 laboratory-confirmed cases across the south-east of Melbourne This compares with less than 2,300 cases at this time last year,” he said national hospital surveillance shows an increase in influenza B This is significant because influenza B can cause severe disease in children.” A yearly vaccination is recommended for everyone over six months of age “While it’s impossible to predict how bad a flu season will be at this time of the year we know it was a big flu season in some parts of the northern hemisphere Flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications (including pneumonia) The flu vaccine is free for children aged 6 months to 5 years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over and anyone aged 65 years or over and anyone aged 6 months or over with a serious medical condition that puts them at higher risk local council immunisation service or local pharmacist immuniser Some workplaces provide flu vaccination programs to employees influenza causes approximately 100 deaths and 5,100 hospitalisations An iconic cafe in the Dandenong Ranges is set to be revived.   Following an Expression of Interest process Alchemy Distillers Pty Ltd will transform the former Olinda Golf Course Clubhouse and Cafe into a vibrant new venue.  The cafe will provide a welcoming space for visitors to enjoy locally-sourced food and drinks and will make the most of the stunning views across the Yarra Valley with indoor and outdoor seating The cafe will also provide a space for community connection by hosting events The building will undergo renovations before opening A coffee offering will be available for visitors while the works are underway.  who are passionate locals with extensive experience in the hospitality and distilling industries are committed to making the new café a cornerstone of the community.  The former Olinda Golf Course Clubhouse and Cafe was popular among locals and visitors before closing in 2012.   A new food and beverage offering at the Olinda Precinct was one of the suggestions raised by the community during consultation on the 2017 Olinda Precinct Plan.   The Victorian Government has invested $11.07 million to deliver a number of initiatives in the plan nature-based playspace and netball and cricket facilities for the community to enjoy Improvements to the site’s carparking and drainage are also in planning.  In the neighbouring Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden the $6.4m re-creation of Phillip Johnson’s award-winning Chelsea Australian Garden was also opened in 2023 providing yet another major tourism drawcard for the region.  The café is expected to open after council planning approvals are received and renovations are complete. For more information visit the Olinda Precinct Stage 2 Project page.  and subscribe to receive the latest nature inspiration and news straight to your inbox Victoria’s networks of parks and reserves form the core of Aboriginal cultural landscapes Parks Victoria acknowledges the continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these landscapes and recognises their ongoing role in caring for Country on which we learn Local Dandenong resident and Afghan refugee Mohammad Asif Fayaz is seeking to publish a newly written memoir shedding light on the harrowing experience of living under Taliban rule especially for members of the Hazara community “Exile in Hope: A Narrative of the Dreams and Struggles of the Hazaras in Afghanistan” detailing Fayaz’s life in Afghanistan prior to the Taliban’s resurgence and military seizure of the nation in 2021 and the hopes his generation held of building a free and prosperous Afghanistan “We were basically a generation intent on building our country but because of the Taliban Fayaz outlines in the pages the way his career in journalism and law and his place as a member of the Hazara community endangered him and his family “These things made me a target of the Taliban.” forced to separate from his family to lessen the danger to them as he traverses the countryside disguised as a rural peasant He is forced to rely on smugglers to move in secret as around him the government collapses and the Taliban complete their occupation of the country The narrative shifts as Fayaz not only details his own experiences but begins to give a record of the discrimination and violence suffered by Hazara people in Afghanistan The next three years find Fayaz in Pakistan with his family struggling to make ends meet and never entirely safe from the threat of the Taliban a situation he contrasts sharply with the peace and opportunity he found coming to Australia as a refugee There are great opportunities here to make our dreams come true,” Fayaz expresses his gratitude to Australia for the new life he enjoys in Dandenong and the right he enjoys to tell his story and the stories of his people “Now I can tell the story of my people’s misfortune I want people in Australia and the world to know us through our true stories Fayaz is currently seeking help in translating the book into English Two people are in the hospital after a truck and car collision near the intersection of Hammond Road and Dandenong Bypass at Dandenong South A Fire Rescue Victoria attend the scene after a call was made to Triple Zero at 12.22am today (Wednesday 9 April) A woman in her 30’s was transported by road to Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition after being treated for upper body injuries A man in his 60’s was transported by road to Monash Medical Centre in a stable condition for monitoring after assessment A FRV spokesperson confirmed the collision impact a building and wall piping but no one was trapped “FRV’s Hazmat specialists and Ambulance Victoria attended this incident “Firefighters returned at 6.36am to oversee the removal of the truck as a safety precaution.” Victoria Police remained on scene overnight The scene was deemed Under Control at 6.51am Greater Dandenong Council is set to decide whether tonight’s general meeting will be closed to the public due to security concerns Mayor Jim Memeti expected a decision to be made this morning “We just need to get the correct information and we’ll work closely with Victoria Police He said that concerns were raised over a threatening TikTok video that was linked to the heated naming-dispute over the Afghan Bazaar precinct in Thomas Street “Now we’ve got confirmation that it’s nothing to do with the Afghan Bazaar situation.” There had been no live threats against councillors or council officials a Hazara community group announced a bid to rename the precinct to Little Bamiyan – after a province in Afghanistan Its online petition has more than 34,000 supporters It has been met with strong opposition from other Afghanistan groups including a petition of more than 29,000 supporters Cr Memeti held a peace talk with community faith leaders and members of both groups A written statement was signed by attendees calling for peace and calm councillors Phillip Danh (ALP) and Rhonda Garad (Greens) have listed rivalling notices-of-motion on the issue Cr Garad is calling for an “inclusive peace meeting” that ensures “inclusive representation from key stakeholders” Cr Danh’s motion notes council chief executive Jacqui Weatherill is seeking external funding for an independent consultation process for a “constructive resolution” It also calls for a long-term initiative to facilitate dialogue between “people of all ethnic backgrounds in Afghanistan” living in Greater Dandenong Cr Memeti said an independent consultation taking several months and “allowing the community to speak” was “the way forward” Labor MPs say they back a push for better social cohesion after security fears overshadowed the debate on the proposed renaming of the Afghan Bazaar precinct in Dandenong They were contacted for comment on Greater Dandenong Council’s quest for state and federal funding for an independent thorough public consultation to “bridge divisions” A petition to change the Thomas Street precinct’s branding-name to Little Bamiyan has escalated to reported online threats against both sides of the debate Greater Dandenong closed its general meeting from public attendance last Tuesday (11 March) the word ‘Afghan’ symbolises oppression to the Hazara community opponents say the word symbolises everyone who comes from Afghanistan mayor Jim Memeti – who had last month brought together community leaders to sign a statement calling for peace and calm – said the council noted reports of “ethnic divisions” including amongst younger people The consultation would seek to “bridge divisions and enhance links to the broader Australian community” The council would also embark on a longer-term initiative for “dialogue” between people of all ethnic backgrounds in Afghanistan living in Greater Dandenong “Further details on the stages of this community development initiative will be shared in the coming weeks “We ask people to continue to be respectful look after each other’s safety and our social cohesion.” Afghan Islamic Centre spokesperson Rokhan Akbar – who is in favour of retaining Afghan Bazaar – said the consultation was a “waste of taxpayers’ money” He said the naming was resolved after community consultation in 2011-’14 Akbar suggested retaining the name on Thomas Street and setting up an alternative ‘Little Bamiyan’ precinct elsewhere in Dandenong The council’s advocacy executive manager Marjan Hajjari said the council had never undertaken a formal naming process for the precinct The 2011-’14 consultation was seeking input into physical improvements on Thomas Street Little Bamiyan proponent Barat Ali Batoor said the lack of prior consultation was the “root cause of the problem” He said Afghan Bazaar couldn’t be retained – due to the name being “traumatising” to Hazara traders and visitors on Thomas Street Bruce federal MP Julian Hill said the name was a matter for the local council But he’d asked Department of Home Affairs to engage with councils and the State Government to “explore a broader process to engage the community in a positive and enduring way” “I encourage the council and everyone with a genuine view to look for a way forward that brings the whole community together “Hazara people have been persecuted for decades in many parts of the world and it’s a very sensitive issue which needs to be considered with respect “It is also clear that there are much broader issues than just a local place name “Reports of ethnic tensions and threats of violence and conflict in schools community organisations and businesses are deeply worrying and beyond the ability of a single council to address.” Hill said that Australians including people from Afghanistan “do not want such conflicts to impact daily life in our country” “It is especially important that all so-called leaders – whether political faith or community leaders – set a positive example for the younger generation of Australians in how to bring people together not divide the community and resolve differences in a courteous way “I have asked the Department of Home Affairs to engage with councils and the Victorian Government to explore a broader process to engage the community in a positive and enduring way to ensure all people from Afghanistan settle in well to life in Australia.” Dandenong state MP Gabrielle Williams said the council was engaging with the Multicultural Affairs Minister on competitive state grants to support social cohesion “I understand how sensitive this matter is for the local community and am concerned by the level of upset and unrest it is causing “I am supportive of any measure Council can undertake to restore social cohesion in our community “Dandenong is the chosen home for people from around the world many of whom have fled conflict to find harmony here in our community Greater Dandenong Council voted down a motion from Greens councillor and federal-election candidate Rhonda Garad to remove the Afghan Bazaar name from marketing material until the issue was resolved She also unsuccessfully sought for a new “more inclusive” round of peace talks with stakeholders and councillors Cr Garad accused the majority of “Labor-aligned” councillors of “sabotaging democratic fairness” by guillotining debate “They chose to back a motion which really praised their efforts and denied there’s other groups they are leaving out,” she said “This is just strong man tactics to appear to be dominant and appear to crush me They can crush me all they like but when they crush what I put up that’s the community they’re not considering and not hearing food and market stalls to celebrate celebrate Nowruz The Victorian Afghan Associations Network hosted the successful festival on Sunday 6 April Among the many entertainers included a choir from Payam Dari School we will be shining a spotlight on one Match of the Round each week and all the action as it unfolds on match day.The 2025 NPLM Round 3 Match of the Round promises to be a thrilling encounter as two cross-town rivals go head-to-head Dandenong Thunder FC host Dandenong City FC at George Andrews Reserve with both teams eager to secure crucial points early in the season. Preview The Dandenong Derby has quickly become a marquee fixture in Victorian football growing in stature since Dandenong City's arrival in the top flight While both clubs proudly represent their Albanian and Croatian communities this rivalry extends beyond heritage—it’s a true reflection of the Greater Dandenong footballing landscape with many players having developed their craft in the region one challenge remains—defeating Thunder in a competitive Football Victoria-sanctioned match Thunder have held the upper hand in the Derby winning both encounters last season with a 2-1 triumph in Round 3 and a gritty 1-0 victory in Round 19 As the two sides prepare to face off in Round 3 of the 2025 season City will be eager to break their Derby drought while Thunder will look to maintain their dominance With Thunder on three points and City with two draws from their opening fixtures both teams will be searching for momentum in this highly anticipated showdown Head-to-Head Record Total Matches Played: 14 June 22 2024Dandenong Thunder 1 (Kirdar 62')Dandenong City 0Referee: Adam Bavcar George Lambadaridis (Damian Iaconis 79); Coach: Nick Tolios; Cautions: Cesnik 58 Coach: Adam Piddick;Dandenong City Lineup:  George Lambadaridis (Damian Iaconis 79);Coach: Nick Tolios Watch their 2024 Round 19 Match Dandenong City striker Kenny Athiu has made an early impact this season scoring in his side’s 3-3 draw with St Albans in Round 1 If City are to secure their first win of the season who has also shown promise in the opening rounds Dandenong Thunder focused on strengthening their defence in the off-season They currently have one of the best defensive records in the competition after two rounds thanks in part to Dutch centre-back Thijs van Amerongen who has been a steady presence at the back Thunder also welcomed experienced goalkeeper Jamie Young just before the season kicked off The former A-League shot-stopper brings plenty of experience to the squad and will play an important role in keeping City’s attack at bay in this highly anticipated local clash.Where to Watch The 2025 NPLM Round 3 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel Commentators: Oscar Rutherford & Brent Sternberg Dandenong City has had a fortnight to forget after falling to the NPL’s top two teams 0-3 across the last two rounds of the campaign City were outclassed in their visit to Oakleigh on Friday night seeing Dandenong plummet to 10th in the table The visitors shot themselves in the foot early after a horrid back pass across goals was pounced on by Joseph Knowles who took one touch before launching a thunderbolt from outside the box past Pierce Clark and into the back of the net The goal came less than five minutes into the match making the challenge of beating the NPL’s second placed team even more difficult Things went from bad to worse for City when the defence was unable to clear the ball out of a dangerous area leading to four consecutive Cannons corners so he used the space to calmly header the ball in Dandenong found itself staring down the barrel of a 0-2 deficit that looked to get uglier City managed to not concede another goal but were being absolutely dominated around the ground The visitors had just one inaccurate shot for the entire half while their opponents had nine total and three on target Oakleigh dealt the final blow to Dandenong’s comeback hopes through a phenomenal goal Joe Guest floated a pass up and over the City defence Clark was caught completely out of position and Salmon let the ball bounce once before chipping the keeper to give the hosts the 0-3 margin The Cannons rode the momentum to get the job done in front of the home crowd having 16 shots for the game compared to Dandenong’s three City didn’t manage a single shot on target for the match showing an area for improvement on a day where there wasn’t any source of consistent attack Dandenong will look to regroup and gain back some confidence when it hosts bottom placed Port Melbourne Sharks in round 11 The Dandenong and Hills is home to some truly big-hearted people – and this year a few of our very own have been named finalists in the 2025 Inclusive Volunteering Awards We’re talking about the locals who roll up their sleeves and make our corner of the world a more welcoming place for everyone A huge shoutout to Ferntree Gully Tennis Club Interchange Outer East from Ferntree Gully Champion Community Hub also from Bayswater and the Women’s Federation for World Peace Australia from Belgrave Heights – all of whom are doing incredible work right here in the hills Whether it’s creating safe spaces for people with disabilities building connections through sport or radio or simply being there for someone who needs a hand – these groups are quietly changing lives every day And now they’re getting the recognition they truly deserve The awards are happening on Tuesday 29 April at the Knox Community Arts Centre in Bayswater – and you’re invited and it’ll be a great chance to meet like-minded people who care about inclusion These folks represent the best of what makes the Dandenong Ranges special – kindness visit: events.humanitix.com/inclusive-volunteering-awards-and-conference-2025) – it’s free Local manufacturers should be prioritised in the $108 million Dandenong Wellbeing Centre (DWC) project South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) chief executive Honi Walker says it’s a “great opportunity” for local manufacturers and jobs as well as “the start of the revitalisation of Dandenong” Walker argues that ADCO should adhere to the State Government’s Local Jobs First policy for 90 per cent of local content in any government project SMEs in the South East manufacturing hub could make stairs “Just about everyone in the local manufacturing supply chain can benefit from this project – if the local supply chain is engaged from the start the experience and the capacity – it’s all here in the South East (which is) Australia’s largest manufacturing region.” Greater Dandenong Council and construction company ADCO have not yet revealed the local procurement content quotas for the DWC project Greater Dandenong voted to push local government bodies to back the state’s manufacturing industry This included calling on the Municipal Association of Victoria to advocate for stronger enforcement of the Local Jobs First policy “Victoria has long been the heartland of Australian manufacturing yet without stronger support from the Victorian and Federal Governments it risks losing businesses and jobs to other states offering more attractive incentives,” a council report argued administrators for Australia’s only architectural-glass maker Oceania Glass announced its closure – after years of being “crushed” by cheap She said strict tariffs on imported steel and glass and reinstating anti-dumping laws may have saved the company The looming US tariffs on Australian products also “do nothing to help our local manufacturers” “Our governments must help our impacted manufacturing exporters find new markets in developing countries like Brazil and India and increase our market share in China After crowds of more than 350,000 in total the successful Dandenong Ramadan Night Market may be a permanent calendar event backed by a $225,000 funding promise by the Federal Government A re-elected Albanese government will commit to $75,000 annual funding for three years Bruce Federal member MP Julian Hill was said to be at the event every night for seven days as he shared it to be “one of the best things that’s happened in Dandenong for years…” on his social media “The Ramadan Night Market has taken south-east Melbourne by storm,” he said bringing Muslim and non-Muslim Australians together People from all walks of life break the fast and connect in a vibrant “A re-elected Labor government will ensure the festival can safely grow and continue on an annual basis recognising the incredible impact the markets have already had in fostering community connections and wider cultural understanding.” The highly successful nine-night event began on 25 March and ended on 2 April on the popular Thomas Street precinct contentiously named Afghan Bazaar already famous for its mouth-watering Afghan food sizzling kebabs that fill the entire street’s aroma and traditional Afghan ice cream the event was successful in bringing together people from all walks of lives from different diverse and cultural backgrounds under one banner the record number being 60,000 on Friday night and 70,000 on a Saturday night according to organiser Bright Community Organisation mayor Jim Memeti predicts it to be better than the popular Lakemba Nights in NSW with the funding “I probably had 20 kids hug me on the nights I was at the event Being a Muslim I never saw a mosque until 1985 – I was 12 before one was built in Dandenong “Seeing where we came from to celebrating Ramadan in Dandenong with the wider community from all different nationalities attend “This grant will go a long way in supporting the Ramadan night market to build it to a huge event in the South East.” President of the Bright Community Organisation Ahmad Ghowsi says the funding will help to build on the event to meet popular demands “We are very excited and happy to see that funding,” Mr Ghowsi says “Everything from our end was from our heart but we also expected stakeholders like local state and Federal government would join to support us if they want us to grow and expand this further for the benefit of the wider community to make it a landmark event “We were hoping and we are thankful to Julian Hill Mark Dreyfus and Cassandra Fernando for their support they attended the event and offered support which we are grateful for.” Plans for next year include potentially expanding from Thomas Street to Clow Street to cater for an increased number of visitors better waste management and lighting suitable to the event Next year may also see the event for the entire duration of the holy month of Ramadan every Thursday Saturday and Sunday as trading nights for convenience to families “We’ve had a lot of learning,” Mr Growsi said we will act on the recommendation to expand the area we would consider Clow Street from the roundabout to the intersection We had to put portable lights and we had them on the streets there are lighting decorations associated with it so we want the same for our event “We want people to recognise the Ramadan Night Market event as soon as they see the photo of the lighting decorations.” The buzz around it also brought popular social media influencers including food and travel influencers attended the event such as Ezzatexplores Ibrahim Akbar (ibby_a) and Foodie_or_fatty this year’s 60 vendors will increase next year to more than 120 Emergency services responded to a traffic incident after Triple Zero callers reported a car had collided with a building on Lonsdale Street Dandenong Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded at 9.51 where firefighters found car had reversed into the window of the Dandenong Library FRV spokesperson say the scene was declared under control and crews assisted with traffic management Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police were also called to the scene No emergency treatment or transport was provided by the ambulance no one was injured and investigation is ongoing into the cause of the incident The library remained open and the damaged part of the building was isolated Greater Dandenong Council acting chief executive officer Sanjay Manivasagasivam said he is proud of the staff response to ensure public safety “Our priorities now are supporting our staff and patrons after a big shock and securing our building the damage is to our glass walls and not structural a thorough assessment is being undertaken.” developer interest anticipatedAlesha Capone Presentation College closed its doors in 2020 The former Presentation College site on Dandenong Rd has been listed for sale with a $50m-plus price tag An ex-convent and chapel are located at the 1.89ha address that has been owned by the Roman Catholic Presentation Sisters for more than 150 years The religious order operated a school at the property until a decision to shut down due to declining enrolments resulted in its 2020 closure RELATED: From seaman to spritzers: Port Melbourne venue offers investors rare catch Frankston Hospital’s $1.1bn redevelopment unlocks prime retail spaces Williamstown: Buyers circling to snag this rare pub and turn it into new home Developers are expected to account for many of the buyers interested in the one-time educational institute Home and Away actor Pia Miller and The Real Housewives of Melbourne’s Lydia Schiavello the property would be one of the most expensive real estate transactions in Melbourne so far this year though well behind the more than $100m sale of former Essendon Football Club president Paul Little’s Toorak home Coonac Commercial real estate agency Colliers International director Jozef Dickinson said the former college was close to Windsor train station which the Victorian government recently announced among its future Train and Tram Zone activity centres The government is hoping more than 300,000 new homes will be built in the 60 activity centres across Melbourne students and teaching staff gathered at Presentation College when the school announced it would be closing Gold Logie award-winning journalist Jana Wendt is among Presentation College’s well-known alumni Mr Dickinson said the former school buildings remained in “really great condition” “We are expecting strong engagement from buyers retirement and aged-care developers,” he said “This is a genuine once in a lifetime opportunity.” The site is covered by a Stonnington Council heritage overlay and the new owner would likely need to work with heritage consultants to develop it Edmund Rice Education Australia signed up to lease the campus so it could be used by the Christian Brothers College (now St Mary’s College) Sheila Florance (right) in character as Lizzie Birdsworth in the television show Prisoner Florance attended Presentation College before leaving school at the age of 15 to pursue acting model and television presenter Pia Miller is another former Presentation College pupil Presentation Sisters Victoria congregation leader said the lease’s end was a contributing factor in her order’s decision to sell the site “It is our intention that the proceeds be directed towards initiatives that support women including continuing our work in education and community services reflecting our historical involvement with these important causes,” Sister Carboon said The property will be listed for sale this month via expressions of interest Colliers’ John Marasco and Philip Heberling will manage the listing alongside Jozef Dickinson Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Northland: Ex-forklift driver behind Melb’s biggest plaza buy since 2018 Richmond: House similar to a Wog Boy setpiece will get you saying ‘opa!’ Brendan Fevola: Ex-Carlton star joins Wayne Carey and Kevin Sheedy in real estate game third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Labor – if re-elected – has promised $1.6 million for additional CCTVs in Dandenong and Noble Park Bruce MP Julian Hill announced that the Government would work with Greater Dandenong council to determine the best locations for the new cameras They would be used for real-time surveillance and evidence for law enforcement “Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live and when they move around the community,“ Hill said The funding appears to respond to the council’s election advocacy request for $1.681 million to renew and upgrade Safe City CCTV cameras in Noble Park and Dandenong more than 270 CCTV cameras have been installed as part of Safe City since 2009 in order to improve community safety with the focus on “areas of high community use and pedestrian traffic” The CCTV is proactively monitored 24-7 by Springvale and Dandenong police Police have arrested four female teenagers after an incident at Endeavour Hills shopping centre on 30 April At around 4pm a scuffle occurred after security tried to intervene in an alleged theft attempt He is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre management told Star News “that “the safety of our customers retailers and the wider community is our utmost priority” “We have rigorous security protocols in place and our contracted security partner was on-site at the time of the incident.” management said “We have immediately increased security presence and resourcing throughout the centre and we are working closely with local authorities to strengthen safety measures within the centre and the broader community.” Victoria police are still investigating the nature of the incident some of the teens were armed with machetes but police have not confirmed at this time The four young females are in custody and are being interviewed Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 Homicide Squad detectives are releasing CCTV footage and appealing for public assistance as they investigate the mysterious death of a man in Dandenong last week The 52-year-old Alexandra man was staying at a local motel with his partner when he left for a late-night walk around 2:03 am on Friday His partner reported him missing upon realising he had not returned A passerby discovered him with serious head injuries on Fifth Avenue at 6:55 am He was taken to hospital but died the following day Police say CCTV captures most of the man’s walk with the last footage showing him alive and well at 2:11 am and investigators have yet to determine how he sustained his fatal injuries Detectives are urging anyone who was in the area at the time particularly those caught on CCTV near the scene They are also seeking dashcam or CCTV footage that may help piece together the man’s final movements “We have not ruled out the possibility of a physical assault or some other cause,” said Detective Inspector Rob Nazaretian “If you were in the area or have any relevant footage Any information to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au DANDENONG Stingrays boast six players in the Vic Country summer training hub and come into season 2025 with new strings to their bow We spoke to head coach Nick Cox about the year ahead and his region’s top AFL Draft prospects We’ve added a few different elements this year to inspire kids to become better Just using the tools in the area that are there for us We had a camp down at Rye which was great for our community connection We’re pretty keen to play games though.” Tairon Ah-MuRuck/Key Forward | 198cm | 06/06/2007 “Tairon had a bit of a setback a couple of weeks ago but he seems to be going well now He’s been very conscious of changing his shape and being as fit as he possibly can so he can compete for a pretty big season for him obviously.” Josh GrangerKey Defender | 197cm | 06/02/2007 “Josh didn’t play too many games with us last year I think he played one or two and was at school footy He’s a developing tall who’s working on his aerial craft and his competitiveness and it’s coming along nicely just need to see it put into action now.” Noah Hibbins-HargreavesMidfielder/Forward | 186cm | 16/11/2007 “Noah’s in the Vic [Country] hub and obviously AFL Academy as well he’s very special and he’s got some traits that will obviously be showcased this year with what he what he’s done over the summer looking forward to big things from him this year.” Max LeeDefender | 183cm | 24/07/2007 He started off with us early and didn’t really stand out too much but he’s got some traits that are really exciting He’s been exceptional over the summer as well so looking forward to see what he brings.” Toby SinnemaWing | 180cm | 11/12/2007 “He was lucky enough to spend two weeks at Melbourne through the NGA program there at the start of preseason really powerful with his running and his ability to get involved in chains.” he broke our high speed record at the club a couple of weeks ago half-forward type who’s been impressive as well We do have a lot of unknowns that have never been in the past program before so looking forward to see whether someone will pop.” who’s been impressive thus far with what he’s been doing.” they’ve been a little bit injury prone at the moment We’ll see what happens through the middle of the year with those guys.” “We’ve got Toby Sinnema, he’s Melbourne NGA. Marcus Prasad’s Melbourne as well, but he’s a bottom-ager. Oscar Lonie is a Collingwood father-son and Callum Smith is the grandson of Kevin Bartlett.” “I think it’s like every club and region that’s the significant improvement of every individual through the development that we’ve been able to get them with all the tools that we’ve been able to provide We always talk about the basic stuff of being competitive but we actually not only want to be competitive and the ability to make quick decisions that will allow us to hit the scoreboard That’ll showcase what players can and can’t do.” “I think we’re always a team that’s is trying to produce that We’ve added a few other elements to our game We’ve got some big-bodied inside mids and we’re a little bit taller than what we’ve been in the past so we’ve got representation forward of the ball as well Getting it in nice and quick is probably one thing that will be in our game again And just players understanding their role and being able to execute.” ‘Corra’ [Paul Corrigan] is a great coach and their region’s always strong – I think he’s quite buoyant with what they’ve got as well I don’t think we’ve beaten them for a long time in Round 1 but it’s not about winning or losing it’s about the ability to learn as well.” AS THE Coates Talent League Girls competition returns for Round 3 over the long weekend the league welcomes four of the five Northern Academies for their first taste of action in the southern competition Both Queensland Academies (Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions) and New South Wales Academies (GWS Giants and Sydney Swans) begin their […] ALREADY one game down with reigning premiers North Melbourne producing a knockout blow against Carlton earlier today Rookie Me Central takes a look at the remaining 10 teams who some of the new faces are and names to look out for in season 2025 BOX HILL HAWKS: 2024 Record: 8-5-1 (3rd) The Hawks have brought […] the 2025 Coates Talent League Girls season will get underway this weekend Ahead of the 18-round home-and-away season commences on Saturday we take a look at everything you need to know >> SCROLL for club-by-club previews & predictions NEED TO KNOW The season will feature 18 clubs WESTERN Jets head into season 2025 on the back of key staff turnover but boast a pair of leading prospects which will allow their footy to do the talking We preview the region’s upcoming campaign with help from outgoing talent operations lead PRESEASON “It’s been a bit of a different pre-season SEASON 2025 will look slightly different for the Tasmania Devils who face an altered fixture and less travel throughout the year With two prospects among the Allies’ preseason squad and some former representatives returning we preview the Devils’ year with help from head coach Jeromey Webberley PRESEASON “It’s been really good SANDRINGHAM Dragons are chasing a record-equaling fourth straight Coates Talent League premiership in 2025 boasting an even and deep squad of players Among them are five members of the Vic Metro hub and plenty of club-tied prospects We highlight them with help from coach Rob Harding PRESEASON “I’ve been really pleased with the Dragons’ preseason OAKLEIGH Chargers produced the second and third picks of last year’s AFL Draft but come into 2025 boasting a good deal of depth and club-tied prospects across each age group We preview their upcoming Coates Talent League campaign with outgoing talent operations lead PRESEASON “I think for us preseason is one of the […] NORTHERN Knights coach Anthony Rocca says his side is champing at the bit to get into competitive action boasting “a good blend of team attributes” and prospects across each age group He’s confident that Northern’s contested work will surprise a few teams and helped us preview the region’s season PRESEASON “The boys were training really […] THE MURRAY Bushrangers head into season 2025 with eyes on being fresh throughout the year having altered the region’s preseason program A total of six players are part of the Vic Country and Allies hubs while several over-agers have completed VFL preseasons Coach Mark Brown helps preview the year ahead PRESEASON “It’s a little bit […] If you like the content that Draft Central provides and don’t want to miss any of it then sign up to receive our newsletter today then sign up to our subscriber list where you can be emailed out the latest AFL Draft Guide or sport-specific magazines as well as the option to sign up to a monthly newsletter Dandenong South was removed by elevating the rail line over the road As part of the Cranbourne Line Upgrade 8km of track was duplicated between Dandenong and Cranbourne The second track means trains can run every 10 minutes on average in the morning peak for passengers travelling from Cranbourne Around 20,000 vehicles passed through the former level crossing which was located in a busy industrial area The Abbotts Road level crossing was removed in 2018 Currently no recent news for this project. See all Victoria's Big Build news. On behalf of the Victorian Government, the Level Crossing Removal Project is removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Residents in Mount Dandenong should expect a planned burn in their area within the next ten days. Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) have advised that there will be a planned burn along the Mt Dandenong, Trig Track, 1km NE of Mount Dandenong at any time within the next 10 days if conditions are suitable. Weather conditions and fuel moisture levels at the burn site are currently being monitored and safety checks carried out in preparation for the burn. If conditions are not suitable, the burn may be postponed. Note that some burns are carried out in stages, with part of the burn completed, and crews returning later to carry out further work within the burn area. If so, you will receive notifications when the burn is once again scheduled to be carried out. Some planned burns can produce heavy smoke. Smoke can travel long distances. It may also settle in valleys and other low-lying areas, especially overnight. Think about how smoke from this burn may affect you and what precautions to take to reduce your exposure. Avoid physical activity during smoky conditions. Remain inside, if possible. Close windows and doors to prevent smoke from entering buildings and vehicles. If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Health and Human Services advises that you should seek medical advice or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24. Road travel may be hazardous if smoke causes low visibility. Crews in fire-fighting vehicles will be using local roads to access the burn area. Road signs may be in place to slow traffic. Obey all traffic signs and instructions from fire agency crews and traffic management crews near planned burns. For travel times and roadworks check traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au Be aware of planned burning happening in your local area or in areas you plan to visit. See plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au for where burns are about to occur. The status of a burn can change quickly. Be prepared to change your plans and stay away from areas where burns are taking place. Access may be restricted where planned burning is being carried out – this can include forests, parks, national parks, state government and council reserves and along roadsides. – while final preparations are being made before the burn is carried out – In areas that have recently been burnt – while post-burn safety checks are being completed During these periods you may not be able to access some roads, walking tracks, car parks, camping grounds, picnic sites and other recreation areas. Access will be permitted once the planned burn is declared safe – see plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au for the current status of FFMVic and CFA burns. Call the VicEmergency Hotline on freecall 1800 226 226 Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 For further information about planned burning Visit ffm.vic.gov.au/plannedburn for information about why planned burns are carried out on public land (including forests, national parks and state government parks and reserves). Visit cfa.vic.gov.au/about/planned-burns for information about why planned burns are carried out on private land (including private property, council parks and reserves, railway and road reserves). An acai and desserts shop in central Springvale has been destroyed by a suspicious fire early on Wednesday 30 April. Firefighters were on scene within four minutes of a triple-zero call at 2.18am, finding the shop And Bowl on Springvale Road “engulfed in flames”, a Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said. Sixteen firefighters with breathing apparatus battled the blaze, deeming it under control by 2.31am. The fire was contained to the building, with no damage to adjoining shops, the spokesperson said. According to the shop’s TikTok account, it opened in January 2024 with its last video posted the day before the fire. The shop is now listed as “temporarily closed”. Victoria Police say the fire is being treated as suspicious. The suspected arson attack is the latest targeting acai shops in recent weeks – including an ice cream shop in Williamstown the night before. On 18 February, an acai outlet Munch Spot was rammed and engulfed in a fireball on Princes Highway Dandenong. As part of its investigation, police released CCTV footage of a stolen Hynundai Tucson ramming the Dandenong shop before it was set on fire using a gerry can. A group fled in a red or maroon Ford G6E FG series sedan. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au The ALP has announced $4 million for a new multicultural community centre in Dandenong South, if the Government is re-elected. The Santhom Community Hub and Resource Centre will host a South Indian migration museum and libraries showcasing Malayalam literature and resources. It will also host programs for seniors and youth led by the St Thomas Syro-Malabar community from southern India. On Sunday, Labor MPs Mark Dreyfus and Julian Hill as well as Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong attended the Thomas Syro-Malabar Easter mass. Dreyfus said the new centre would enable the “fast-growing Syro-Malabar community to celebrate their heritage and share their culture with the wider community”. Hill said many in the Syro-Malabar community were working in the health system and contributing widely in the community. “The real magic of modern multicultural Australia happens when we share cultural traditions and histories with each other, and this state-of-the-art facility will provide a physical space for communities to connect Labor’s election commitments for Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills tops $17 million so far. The region includes the long-held Labor seat of Bruce, occupied by Hill on a 5.3 per cent margin. Bruce has been the focus of senior political fly-ins and pledges by both major parties. The Liberal party has pledged close to $10 million in the same region, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton visiting in the early days of the campaign. In other recent announcements, Labor pledged $90,000 towards a new playground at Gurudwara Sri Guru Granth Sahib temple in Keysborough, as well as $5 million to upgrade Dandenong Hospital’s intensive-care unit. Other ALP election promises include $1.25 million for Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre’s new home, $1.4 million for Sydney Pargeter Reserve and $900,000 for Ross Reserve upgrades. Liberal pledges include $6.5 million to Afghan Islamic Centre and Omar Farooq Mosque (AICOM) for a new community centre, $1.25 million for Manna4Life at-risk-youth program, $964,000 upgrades at Greaves Reserve Dandenong and $700,000 to upgrade a playground at Rowley Allan Reserve in Keysborough. Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following two suspicious fires at a Dandenong car yard early last year. It’s believed the first fire occurred at the business on Kirkham Road in Dandenong South on 17 February 2024, around 1:30am. The offenders are seen driving a black Audi sedan up to the entrance of the business, before forcing the gate open and entering the car yard on foot. It is believed that while inside the yard, they have ignited a fire in a cabin of a semi-trailer, causing two trucks parked nearby to catch fire. The second fire occurred on 3 March, 2024, around 1:20am, at the same premises. The offenders were seen parking a black Ford sedan in the driveway of the businesses before exiting and approaching a locked gate. They gained access to the yard by cutting the lock and using an accelerant to set a Scania prime mover alight. This caused two other trucks nearby to catch fire. Offenders then fled the premises in the black Ford sedan. As a result of the incident, it is estimated that the offenders caused just under $2 million in damages. Investigators have released footage of the vehicles in the hope that someone with information will come forward. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au The $2-billion masterplan to create a high-rise urban centre and hub in the suburb 35km south-east of Melbourne was approved by Victorian planning minister Sonya Kilkenny Capital Alliance and Development Victoria will team to create a mixed-use precinct on a 2ha site opposite the Dandenong Train Station The plan includes a new Little India precinct on Foster Street to replace the existing on Mason Street That part of the plan has raised concern from traders and others about gentrification education facilities and shops are part of the Dandenong plan that covers five blocks from Settlers Square to Thomas Street along Fosters Street with at least 10 per cent affordable housing more than 117,000sq m of precinct space for commercial 11,000sq m for a new hotel and 4000sq m for a dedicated educational facility are included Early works will begin next year and construction is scheduled to start in 2026 after detailed designs are finalised Capital Alliance and Development Victoria have estimated that the revamp will generate $1.5 billion in revenue annually when completed More than $600 million in private investment has gone into the project The plan is part of a larger effort to revamp Dandenong first proposed almost two decades ago under the-then premier Steve Bracks Several developers have attempted to realise the revitalisation of the hub incluidng Grocon that built new state government offices in 2012 The Australian Tax Office had a new building delivered in 2015 with a Quest hotel following in 2016 next to a civic square and municipal building in 2014 The Dandenong New Art Centre is due to be completed this year Capital Alliance has previously worked on hotels including the AC by Marriot in South Melbourne and the Peppers Hotel and Marriott Hotel in Docklands It won the tender to take on the Revitalising Central Dandenong project in 2020 Dandenong moved from a town to part of Greater Melbourne when it was incorporated as a satellite city It is one of the Melbourne’s most diverse suburbs with a large South Asian population A place of assembly with a 52-parking space reduction has been approved in central Dandenong A majority of Greater Dandenong councillors approved the permit for the Langwarrin-based Ahmadiyya Muslim Association to set up a community centre for up to 200 patrons and 20 staff at 211-215 Thomas Street Six objectors cited parking and overcrowding concerns the previous occupant Headspace had a parking reduction of 17 spaces The proposed patron numbers range from 40 at 10pm-11pm Fridays 100 at 9am-5pm Fridays and 200 at 2pm-10pm on weekends A council report said parking would be limited by existing controls such as nearby parking meters of between 15 minutes to 2 hours Long-term parking was available at nearby multi-deck car parks and the centre was close to Dandenong railway station and bus stops “On-site activities are limited to two hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and the number of patrons are restricted during weekdays “This will ensure traffic congestion during standard business hours are minimised.”It is therefore considered that the proposal will not result in unacceptable traffic and/or parking issues.” councillor Rhonda Garad told an 11 March meeting that parking was a “minor point” outweighed by the positive economic and social benefits “The 200 people visiting Thomas Street on a Saturday will be an enormous economic boost for Thomas Street and the local businesses “This is a significantly important community that has had a lot of struggles and has successfully developed an incredibly successful “To see the precinct build relationships with this community will be a positive thing.” councillor Bob Milkovic that it was “nothing short of ludicrous” to supply only eight parking spots He noted patients at a nearby Monash Health community service relied on street parking “While I support community organisations establishing themselves here I’d like them to do it responsibly.” A 169-year-old glass manufacturer based in Dandenong South has collapsed after warning of the impact of cheap imports being dumped in Australia Oceania Glass – which employs much of its 261 workforce at Dandenong – was announced as in the hands of voluntary administrators at Grant Thornton Australia on 4 February The business will continue to trade during the voluntary administration period with a view to selling to an “appropriate buyer” Oceania Glass sold its first glass in 1856 and is Australia’s only maker of architectural glass It’s considered a vital part of the glass supply sector Oceania Glass submitted to the Anti-Dumping Commission that the Australian industry had suffered “material injury” as a result of clear laminate glass imported from Thailand and China at dumped and subsidised prices The Commissioner launched an investigation last year as a result but the issue is yet to be resolved “The company’s view is they need better protection by the Government that would enable them to be more price-competitive “We’re still working through all the reasons for (Oceania Glass’s collapse) – but that’s likely to be one of them.” Oceania Glass reportedly owes creditors an estimated $125 million-plus Byrnes told Star Journal that the final amount was still being worked through More information was expected in a report to a creditors meeting on Friday 14 February South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance chief executive Honi Walker said Victorian manufacturers were “at a crossroads” “We simply can’t compete on price from China and other Asian countries The loss of “sovereign capability” on an “essential product” would cause homes to cost more and take longer to build with “unsafe” overseas glass “What our governments have completely ignored is safety “Imported steel from China does not meet Australian Standards and was the reason the new stand at GMBH Stadium collapsed in 2023 and the Kew Recreational Centre’s roof caved in Walker called for the reinstatement of federal anti-dumping laws to stop “cheaply poorly made products being dumped in Australia and used on vital public projects” As well as the State Government to “start applying their own Local Content Jobs First policy” SEMMA unveilled a pitch for a halving of the company tax rate from 30 per cent to 15 per cent for Australian manufacturers Industry Minister Ed Husic’s office was contacted for comment Up to 151 workers at Oceania Glass’s Dandenong South factory are set to be laid off in coming weeks after being told by administrators that Australia’s only glass manufacturer will cease A devastated worker at the Dandenong South factory was one of 56 workers finishing up tomorrow (28 February) He says they were told by administrators that there was “no money” to pay out their entitlements waiting for payments under the federal entitlement-and-redundancy scheme “We were told we can’t apply until liquidation and that won’t be for another five months,” he said “I might have got my last pay cheque and it’s already gone to bills Thursday and Friday but after that it’s not looking good “Many of us have got mortgages and rent to pay “It’s not like there’s another glass place we can go to.” voluntary administrators stated they were unable to secure a buyer for the business as a whole “Regretfully glass manufacturing at the company’s Dandenong factory will cease shortly the administrators have had to make the difficult decision to make 56 employees at the Dandenong manufacturing facility redundant effective immediately with the potential for a further 95 redundancies over the coming weeks as the company’s float line and production facility is wound down.” the administrators at Grant Thornton Australia were exploring the sale of the company’s national distribution business with “several interested parties through a due diligence process” The distribution facility co-located in Dandenong will “continue to operate as usual over the forthcoming weeks” “We wish to extend our thanks to the employees of Oceania Glass for their patience and co-operation during this difficult time as we begin the process of ceasing manufacturing operations at the Dandenong factory,” joint administrator Lisa Gibb said “We acknowledge this latest outcome is stressful for employees and their families and are providing support services to those affected.” Oceania Glass went into the hands of voluntary administrators at Grant Thornton Australia on 4 February employees and the Australian Workers Union pleaded for the Government to save the industry who has been working at Oceania Glass for 30 years said people working here were hard workers “What they do here is actually extraordinary You only have to walk down that plant where they’re making the glass and you’ll understand the actual techniques and skills that the people have got here,” he said He has been worried about the younger crowd who just landed in this industry “There are people here that need to go find a job if the business goes down It’s hard enough out there to try and find something even if it wasn’t closing down,” he said “The government needs to do something about it.” The union was encouraged by the recent announcement by the Prime Minister to back the Whyalla steelworks and calls on him to extend the same industry support to Oceania Glass We need that same recognition for Australia’s last remaining glass manufacturer,” AWU Victorian Secretary Ronnie Hayden said “Oceania Glass isn’t just another manufacturer It’s the only float glass manufacturing line in Australasia Once these skills and capabilities are lost “We can’t afford to let another critical industry disappear from our shores.” Housing Minister Clare O’Neil toured the Dandenong facility with AWU officials on Friday 21 February to witness the operation and meet with workers whose livelihoods hang in the balance “We’re really concerned about what’s been happening on-site here over the last few months,” she said St Kilda Football Club is thrilled to announce the extension of its partnership with the Greater Dandenong City Council The Saints have been providing programs in Greater Dandenong for a number of years and club and league engagement and development “We have been working closely with the Greater Dandenong City Council since 2022 working towards our shared goals to increase the health and wellbeing of the community through participation in Australian Rules Football,” St Kilda Football Club Education Lead Hannah Priest said  “This partnership is something that we as a club are really proud of and we look forward to deepen our ties to the Greater Dandenong community in the years to come.” St Kilda stuns Geelong with an incredible win under the roof The partnership furthers St Kilda’s commitment to creating environments that encourage and support the community to be physically active “We are so pleased that the St Kilda Football Club has extended its valuable partnership with us We welcome their commitment to programs in schools and at club and league level This aligns with Council’s commitment to opportunities for more people to be more active more often,” Mayor of Greater Dandenong Cr Jim Memeti said “The health and social benefits of participation in sport make a real difference Partnerships like this open up more opportunities for leadership and community connections and we look forward to strengthening this relationship even further.” St Kilda Football Club activities across the Greater Dandenong City Council include: For more information about the Greater Dandenong City Council: https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/  Honouring the past with eyes towards an ambitious future Check out where and when you can see the Saints in 2025 Jaimee Lambert has clinched her second Best & Fairest in St Kilda colours A considerable amount has changed between Jack Sinclair’s football career and his grandfather's white and black and an iteration of the famed club Crest have persisted A new era for St Kilda Football Club has begun with the club today unveiling its modernised club Crest to take the red Emerging Saint Hugo Garcia has been rewarded for a strong performance on Friday night Help us build a resilient community through various programs and initiatives championed by the Danny Frawley Centre Jack Macrae has polled a perfect 10 coaches votes in the Saints' big win over the Dockers on Friday night VFL Senior Coach Brendon Goddard outlines every AFL-listed Saint’s performance from the Round 1 match against Geelong Lenny Hayes delivers Hugo Garcia the news of his Rising Star nomination Re-live all the goals from our huge win against Fremantle Senior coach Ross Lyon discusses the Saints' big win over the Dockers Cooper Sharman delivers an unforgettable performance with four goals featuring a towering speccy and a Goal of the Year contender St Kilda Football Club wishes to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which the club sits all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples whose lands and waters we work The principal streets of Dandenong are being trimmed up smoothed down and treated with large doses of hot tar the said streets should be in apple pie order with Lonsdale Street a short second addition of St Something might then be done to have the traffic regulations strictly obeyed A Government scheme to introduce maternity and paternity leave in all public Victorian employing authorities will wipe out employment of married women according to Springvale Council an employer must give her 12 weeks leave with full pay and her husband must also get one weeks leave with pay the council said the scheme must be crushed at the start Councillor Neil said that it was high time a stop was put to the amount of “free gifts” being handed out by the Federal Government to employees The scheme would go before the Municipal Association “with a view to having it eliminated at the start.” He added “It will definitely affect the employment of married women.” A new-age sculpture complete with laser lights is set to get people talking when it is sited in central Dandenong which will resemble something from a science-fiction movie will stand 10 metres and will attract attention It will be placed near the corner of Lonsdale and Walker Streets diagonally opposite the Dandenong Town Hall The piece is being funded by the council and the Dandenong Development Board at a cost of $90,000 We will get justice.” Those are the determined words of business owner Ian Cook – who is fighting a David-and-Goliath battle against Dandenong Council and the State Government who is the Star-Journal’s 2019 Person of the Year has led a loud and determined campaign to clear his name All too late for Mr Cook’s 41 staff who lost their livelihoods “The charges and health inspection were “a set-up from day one” he says Greater Dandenong Council has been clearly unnerved by the campaign Recently it stated that I Cook Foods was using media to “beat up its claims” it should make the evidence available to council,” the council told A Current Affair Compiled by Dandenong & District Historical Society Greater Dandenong Council has approved a controversial builder for its $108 million aquatic centre after a rescission motion was voted down last night (11 March) ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd was confirmed as the contracted builder of the Dandenong Wellbeing Centre which will replace the 45-year-old Dandenong Oasis Councillors had narrowly voted 6-4 for ADCO at a 24 February meeting – but the decision was put on hold in light of ADCO Group and its director facing 18 fresh charges over the Kew Recreation Centre steel roof collapse in 2022 ADCO has been previously charged with an alleged workplace safety breach by WorkSafe Victoria over the Kew incident with ADCO stating it was strongly defending the allegations Mayor Jim Memeti said the decision was a major milestone in bringing the DWC to life “Careful planning ensures the project will be financially and environmentally sustainable delivering a lasting benefit for all.” He said the final design was a welcoming and inclusive space for all age groups culturally safe programs and health therapies “We know migrants to Australia are over-represented in coastal drownings and we’re committed to promoting water safety in our community so the learn to swim space will be really important.” The centre includes a 50-metre pool along with a 25-metre 10 lane pool It will also feature large spaces for group fitness classes and community meetings “The centre has been designed with financial and environmental sustainability in mind and should comfortably achieve 5 Star Green Star accreditation,” Cr Memeti said “The clever design means less energy and water consumption and ensuring that the centre remains cost-effective for decades to come.” The project has received a $20 million federal grant with the council also heavily relying on borrowings said the “prudent decision” was not to proceed with ADCO which faced potentially “multi-million-dollar fines” if found guilty “We should always be exercising an abundance of caution “This is the most expensive project we will undertake “If I was building a house and I had one contractor with all of this going on … and one that wasn’t Cr Sean O’Reilly said “this council needs to get real” “To have this facility built there are limited options There are few contractors of ADCO’s longevity and experience that have a totally unblemished record “To take a backward step now – because of this council’s budget situation – is potentially putting this facility at risk.” In the case of the Kew Recreation Centre roof collapse the VBA has alleged ADCO Group knowingly carried out building work outside of what was allowed under their building permit This includes that the company allegedly fabricated and erected a steel roof truss containing four spliced sections instead of a single length of steel as required under the permit The VBA also alleges that the welding of the structural steel framework was non-compliant and the steel used in the truss did not meet Australian standards If found guilty Conroy could face imprisonment and a fine of up to $108,000 on each charge The company also faces fines of up to $540,000 for each offence The VBA says it continues to investigate other practitioners associated with the build and has inspected other ADCO projects The case will return to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 19 May for a committal mention Greater Dandenong Council’s biggest-ever project has been awarded to building contractor ADCO Group in a split-decision by councillors – but still remains in limbo The decision was approved at a council meeting on 24 February to a multi-billion-dollar construction company that is facing indictable charges over the collapse of the Kew Recreation Centre roof in late 2022 Melinda Yim and Bob Milkovic opposed the decision Cr Garad says she has lodged a recission motion in light of ADCO facing new charges from Victorian Building Authority over the Kew incident This means the contract will be revisited at the next council meeting on 11 March Despite the charges laid by WorkSafe and most recently by Victoria Building Authority against ADCO Group they have not been found guilty of any of the charges yet ahead of what is likely to be a lengthy court case Cr Milkovic said he’s not against the project itself but was concerned about the allegations against the contractor saying answers need to be given before the council can “commit” on this major investment “I’m happy to reconsider and look at it as a preferred contractor only after the court case is finished “I’m not saying they will do a bad job “My question is…can I award $100 million of ratepayer’s money to the company who are before the court?” The project has secured $20 million Federal funds – said to be likely lost if the council didn’t proceed with the contract The report states that it has undertaken “extensive planning and consultation” over several years to inform the project designs today Since the council’s endorsement of its Aquatic Strategy in 2019 and early talks of the new Dandenong Wellbeing Centre to replace the 40-year-old Dandenong Oasis recently from $98 million to $108.13 million The entire project including new hockey pavilion and contingency costs swells to $122.15 million Cr O’Reilly said there should be no more delays that will contribute to the rising constructions costs especially if there’s been nothing yet proven in the court against ADCO Group “We would have to start a whole new tender process which would than cost this community several million dollars at least due to ongoing construction costs “The actual full legal responsibility and outcome has not been determined therefore do we make decisions based on one project when this awarded tender has completed around 4ooo projects over several decades “Our decision as councillors is to acknowledge the process the tender panel has gone through.” Works will include a 50-metre pool along with a 25-metre 10 lane pool spa and sauna and a temporary hockey compound Its unique features is said to include breastfeeding/parents room/prayer room a capacity to isolate warm water pool for women’s only swimming programs and for special needs groups more cubicles in the change rooms to enhance privacy an allied health facility and more rooms compliant for occasional care Cr Memeti said he’s very proud of the “historic decision” made to proceed with the highly anticipated project “It’s the biggest single investment this council has ever made and I’m very proud it’s an investment in the health wellbeing and water safety of our community “Today we’re one step closer to realising that exciting dream “The children and adults of Greater Dandenong will learn valuable water safety skills to keep them safe when visiting the beach,” he said “We’re getting generous space for the allied health professionals to be on site along with café and spaces for community gatherings “Oasis has been loved by the community for decades but it has been tired and aging “It’s time for it to be replaced by one of the best and most contemporary environmentally sustainable and therefore financially sustainable aquatic facility in Australia.” the VBA announced it had filed 18 charges including 8 indictable charges against ADCO Group and its nominee director John Conroy over the Kew Recreation Centre roof collapse It alleges ADCO Group knowingly carried out building work outside of what was allowed under their building permit The case will return to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 19 May for a committal mention A controversial potential contractor to build Greater Dandenong Council’s $100-million-plus aquatic centre was recommended as the “best value” bid councillors had voted narrowly 6-4 to appoint ADCO Constructions to build the Dandenong Wellbeing Centre for $108 million in light of ADCO Group and its director facing 18 fresh charges over the Kew Recreation Centre steel roof collapse in 2022 Cr Bob Milkovic said allegations against the contractor needed to be resolved before the council could “commit” on this major investment “My question is…can I award $100 million of ratepayer’s money to the company who are before the court?” Cr Sean O’Reilly said further delays would contribute to rising constructions costs “We would have to start a whole new tender process which would than cost this community several million dollars at least due to ongoing construction costs “Our decision as councillors is to acknowledge the process the tender panel has gone through.” the tender panel was aware of the “pending legal matters” “Council understands that this matter has not yet been resolved in the courts as such is not able to make a pre-determination on the outcome of these pending legal matters it is understood the other aquatic project has re-commenced construction with the contractor and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.” Risk-mitigating measures included nominating the ADCO parent company – rather than the prosecuted ADCO Group – as the preferred contractor shortlisted tenderer had submitted competitive bids legally compliant and financially sound” and offered the “best value” The report warned of escalating construction costs and the likely loss of a $20 million federal funding agreement ADCO managing director Neil Harding said the company was “working closely with Greater Dandenong Council officers” to ensure “accurate details and context” ahead of the next council meeting on 11 March “No findings have been made in either (legal) matter and ADCO Group intends to strongly defend these charges “As these matters are now before the courts we are bound by confidentiality and cannot provide any further comment.” Harding said ADCO was a “recognised industry leader in the design and delivery of sport and leisure facilities in Victoria and Australia” The company completed 50 large-scale aquatic including FINA-certified pools and more than 10 high performance centres of sporting excellence ADCO had been appointed to build Kingston’s $87 million aquatic and leisure centre as well as just finished a $75 million Carnegie Memorial Pool redevelopment Victorian Building Authority alleges ADCO Group knowingly carried out building work outside of what was allowed under their building permit The welding of the structural steel framework was non-compliant and the steel used in the truss did not meet Australian standards If found guilty director John Conroy could face imprisonment and a fine of up to $108,000 on each charge Since the council’s endorsement of its Aquatic Strategy in 2019 and early talks of the new Dandenong Wellbeing Centre to replace the 40-year-old Dandenong Oasis Its unique features are said to include breastfeeding/parents room/prayer room A group of Hazara community members are seeking a renaming of the famous Afghan Bazaar to Little Bamyan in a push for better cultural understanding The group also consists of traders on Thomas Street Dandenong who say a name change would better reflect Hazara businesses’ near-20 years of contribution in the area Barat Batoor is among several who attended a City of Greater Dandenong Council meeting on Tuesday 28 January to request the name change He intends to table a petition ahead of the next council meeting on Monday 10 February Batoor told Star Journal there has always been “dissatisfaction” within the Hazara community regarding the name “We consulted widely with community members business owners in Dandenong and they all favour this rename “The name should be inclusive and represent the contribution of the Hazara community in transforming the once deserted street into a now thriving business centre contributing economically to the economy of the Greater Dandenong Council and attracting tourists for almost 20 years now “I hope the representatives of the community in the council will hear the request of Hazaras “Little Bamyan better portrays the rich history of Afghanistan and the stakeholders in the Bazaar will have a sense of belonging and pride.” He says ‘Afghan’ is a synonym of ‘Pashtun’ which is the name of the ruling ethnic group and a “controversial term imposed on other ethnic groups especially Hazaras,” referring to the ongoing Hazara genocide within the country forcing them to call Australia and cities like Greater Dandenong home The name change is crucial to the ever-increasing Hazara community in Greater Dandenong to educate and spread cultural awareness including about the rich history of Bamyan Hazara people are one of the largest ethnic minority groups within Afghanistan mainly residing in Hazarajat (or Hazaristan) with Bamyan being one of the largest cities in Hazarajat who are also Hazaras but wish not to be named have been successfully operating in the precinct since 2012 They say Hazaras merely need the term ‘Afghan’ removed from them since the term is imposed on them in Afghanistan under the ruling terrorist group not all of the current business owners in Afghan Bazaar are Hazara people Some have moved in the busy centre after they bought the shops from original owners who may have been Hazara Mujtaba and his family bought the now Bamyan store back in 2013 from original owners who were Hazara people He says the renaming wouldn’t make a difference to them or their operation Other business owners told Star Journal they aren’t against the renaming of the precinct but reluctant to support it believing that it may cause an unnecessary disunity within the wider Afghan community that could also impact negatively on businesses Greater Dandenong strategic and environmental planning manager Brett Jackson responded at the meeting that the current term is considered to be a “representative of diverse and historical cultural perspectives of all Afghanis” “As such at this time council doesn’t have any plans to rename however council will continue to welcome all communities to Greater Dandenong and to support all communities where it can.” Councillor Rhonda Garad says she supports the initiative considering the rename to be vital in acknowledging the “layers of diversity” within Greater Dandenong which prides itself of its multiculturalism “When people see the multicultural area Dandenong we are extremely mature and we welcome having greater understanding of particular groups of our society rather than large blanket terms of Afghan “It’s time the community understand who they are their rich cultural history and geographical location “I think it will go well for everyone and I understand people who may not be in favour of it but there’s a strong desire and energy behind this.” Garad says the rename will help to “increase the tourist visitation” as well as educate the wider community about Bamyan and its history and form better cultural understanding the council endorsed a motion which condemned the escalation of genocidal violence against the Hazara people in Afghanistan after the Taliban took power The motion also committed to a 20,000 emergency additional humanitarian visa intake from Afghanistan focusing on the “at-risk groups” like Hazara people and included a round-table of Australian-Hazara people sharing concerns for their families in Afghanistan Praises have been sung for the ‘heart and soul’ of a community choir who took out the top category in the Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards 2025 With One Voice Greater Dandenong Choir coordinator Sue Doherty was presented with the Community Leadership Award at a ceremony at Springvale City Hall on 26 January She is celebrated for creating a welcoming and building a sense of belonging and connection among choristers Councillor Jim Memeti thanked the nominees and winners for their service to the community inclusive and proactive about our community; as they have selflessly contributed to build a strong happy and more resilient Greater Dandenong,” Cr Memeti said Greater Dandenong’s two newest Living Treasures were announced – Victoria Police’s southern metro Aboriginal liaison officer Stewart Taylor and refugee-family advocate Priscilla Graf Taylor advocates and volunteers on behalf of the local Aboriginal community Graf’s work includes encouraging children to take part in sport tutoring students in maths and supporting families in need who has run Rob’s British & Irish Butchery for 33 years He has long promoted central Dandenong as well as supporting charities and employing youngsters in their first jobs Rowan Barbour and Simran Saroy were joint winners of Young Leader of the Year Barbour took part in Greater Dandenong Council’s Young Leaders Program and volunteers at Save the Children Warehouse and the Australian Animal Protection Society op shop Headspace volunteer Saroy has a passion for reducing mental-health stigma and improving service access for multicultural communities Highly commended in the young leader category were Meantepy ‘Tepy’ Hoeung and Khue Le Hoeung raises awareness of liver health and viral hepatitis in the Khmer and other South East Asia communities with educational sessions and appearances on SBS language programs and podcasts Le has focused on health policy and promotion for multicultural communities She is the rural chair of Australian Medical Students Association and tutors disadvantaged students on weekends Springvale CFA captain Glenn Mclaren was awarded Volunteer of the Year Mclaren has attended thousands of callouts to the fire front and conducts fire safety education at community events Afri-Aus Care Inc was named as Community Group of the Year Afri-Aus Care has been a pillar of the African Australian community and supported refugees and asylum seekers with culturally-sensitive counselling Kym O’Shannassy of Rethink Recycling Community was presented with the Sustainability Award The Springvale not-for-profit organisation creates products from plastic lids and educates the public on the circular economy Motorsport racer Giancarlo Artho received the Sportsperson of the Year award he won a full scholarship to race in the 2024 Indian F4 Championship Artho is also active on FReeZA and Noble Park Youth committees Masquerade Youth Productions Inc was the winner of the Outstanding Contributor to the Arts award It provides access to the arts for children with disabilities The awards event also included a citizenship ceremony for 100 new citizens “Australian citizenship symbolises our unity as a nation,” Cr Memeti told the gathering “It is the common bond that unites all Australians – whether you were born here or you have decided to make Australia your home “I sincerely hope that you all achieve your dreams and aspirations as you continue to plan your life going forward as an Australian citizen.” Cr Memeti reflected on his arrival from North Macedonia as a young boy with his family This is where I have raised my family and I continue to live here “We value diversity and the harmony that exists here Dandenong food traders say they are being choked by a mystery “toxic” substance at night Several on the corner of Scott and Thomas streets said they have no idea what the “chemical”-like air regularly wafting around their shops between 7-10pm Sahar Takeaway worker Rezaie described the stench as “dangerous” “We had to put masks on and shut the shop.” Aqil Nezari from Balkh Afghan Charcoal Kebab described it as a “burning smell” that made it hard to breathe A customer Nama said he first noticed smoky dusty plumes on an evening several weeks ago “It was the most toxic thing I’ve ever experienced “People were coming out of the pub to have a cigarette and they were choking Nama says most of the traders are too “timid” and “passive” to report the smell to authorities “I want it to be stopped and the relevant people investigated.” Greater Dandenong Council city futures executive director Sanjay Manivasagasivam said the council took “reports of health issues relating to pollution very seriously” and would act quickly to investigate However no residents had formally reported the issue “Our Environmental Health Officers will attend this area this evening (28 March) and over the weekend to monitor the situation “The (Environment Protection Authority) have asked that members of the public who detect the odour report it directly to them at the time it is occurring “Doing so allows the EPA to understand trends better and respond more promptly.”