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” Sixteen firefighters with breathing apparatus battled the blaze 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 an acai outlet Munch Spot was rammed and engulfed in a fireball on Princes Highway Dandenong 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 Springvale has emerged as Melbourne’s best performing unit market, with its median unit price skyrocketing from $452,250 to $600,000 within a year, according to the December 2024 Domain House Price Report. Preston claimed second spot with a 25.2 per cent gain ($120,000), as its median unit price surged from $480,000 to $600,000, followed by Box Hill North, with a 20.2 per cent boost ($148,000) and a jump from $733,000 to $881,000. They’re a far cry from suburbs like Chadstone, where the unit market fell by a whopping $248,741, or 33.3 per cent, in the same period, followed by Burwood with a 20.4 per cent drop, and Sunshine with an 18.9 per cent loss, according to Domain data. At first glance, this seems incremental, but over a 12-month period Melbourne’s best performing house market was Alphington with a 19.7 per cent increase, which fell short of Springvale’s 31 per cent hike across units. “I think affordability has been the biggest key factor,” he says. Incredible Preston time capsule retro house for sale Historic waterfront Williamstown estate Mandalay for sale after 80 years Here’s where you can buy in Melbourne for under $700,000 within 15km of the CBD “A lot of first-home buyers are coming into our market and I think what happens is that there’s higher demand for units.” 1 Bath1 ParkingView listing Local downsizers who want to stay in the neighbourhood also look for these units. “Downsizers are selling out of their bigger homes in Springvale and wanting something a little bit more low maintenance too, and I think that pool of buyers is what’s creating that demand and obviously that capital growth as well.” The property type that has buyers flocking are three-bedroom, single dwelling units with no strata fees. The fewer units on the block, the higher the demand. “They’re the ones that are doing really, really well, and they’re the ones that are sometimes exceeding the prices of houses,” says Nguyen. 1 Bath1 ParkingView listing The rise of newer developments in Springvale also contributes to the capital growth of units in the area so obviously the newer units are selling quite well because they’re turnkey more modern and that’s really appealing to a lot of the younger buyers that are getting in the market.” In Melbourne’s north, Brian Te of Jellis Craig Reservoir services Preston and says unit sales in the area are already booming this year. Te believes prospective buyers are catching on to the lifestyle, robust infrastructure and affordable prices the suburb offers – especially when compared to prices in neighbouring suburbs Northcote and Thornbury. “I think what Preston has to offer is the lifestyle of Northcote or Thornbury, but now people can see what you get for your value for money in Preston, it’s still the same type of vibe and trendy suburb that’s up-and-coming,” says Te. 1 Bath1 ParkingView listing The redevelopment and removal of the level crossings at Preston and Bell train stations also appeals to buyers seeking a straightforward commute. “Preston and Bell stations have had significant upgrades, seeing as they’re being moved from the railway crossings to above ground, which obviously freed up that space to kind of make parks and bike paths instead,” says Te. 2 Baths1 ParkingView listing Units and townhouses built within the past 10 years are most in demand in Preston it’s first-home buyers and downsizers competing for them “I find the existing properties that have been built probably about five to 10 years ago are doing really well,” says Te “They’ve got larger bedrooms … or unique kind of attributes to the properties as well where they’ve got a second sitting area or study space.” Over in Box Hill North, where the median unit price has risen by 20.2 per cent in the past 12 months, Calvin Chen of CHN Real Estate Group says capital growth is likely due to low supply. “You’ll see in Box Hill there’s a lot of apartments, there’s not as many apartments in Box Hill North, it’s still more kind of units and we find these properties are quite attractive for either someone to live in or as an investment – they appeal to a broad market,” he says. 1 Bath1 ParkingView listing On the top of property hunters’ wish lists in the area? Renovated single-storey units built in the 1970s and 1980s. However, these single dwelling units are rare and highly sought after when they do come up for sale, contributing to their overall capital growth. 1 Bath1 ParkingView listing Beyond the property type, Chen also believes capital growth among units in the area is also due to the popularity and affordability Box Hill North offers. “Box Hill North is quite popular because it’s convenient to most places, has good schools, good freeway access, and shopping centers, and it’s not far from the CBD.” The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate Artist's impression of busway and Estelle Street bridge We’re upgrading the Eastern Freeway with new express lanes, new traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway These changes will reduce travel times by up to 11 minutes between Springvale Road and Hoddle Street and improve public transport in Melbourne’s east We’ll also connect the Eastern Freeway to the new North East Link tunnels in Bulleen – linking Melbourne’s east to the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough cutting travel times by 35 minutes and taking 15,000 trucks a day off local roads we’ll build new and upgraded walking and cycling paths revitalise wetlands and waterways and plant new trees and plants A tougher noise standard and new and upgraded noise walls will also deliver better noise protection for residents The Eastern Freeway Upgrades will be delivered in 3 stages Major works from Burke Road to Tram Road are underway now Designs for the remaining stages from Hoddle Street to Burke Road and Tram Road to Springvale Road will be on exhibition for community feedback as we bring builders on board from 2025 The first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road will deliver: Use the map to explore the first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road For more information, read the project design update or the Burke Road to Tram Road Urban Design and Landscape Plan. Language other than English?Let our friendly staff know if you prefer to speak in another language. An interpreter service is available for Mandarin, Italian, Greek and many other languages. Receive updates and disruption notifications from the Eastern Freeway Upgrades. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Two world-class consortia have been selected as the preferred bidders for the next big elements of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades The Eastern Freeway will be overhauled all the way from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road state-of-the-art traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated busway from Doncaster toward the city and will seamlessly connect with the new North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen Construction is already underway on upgrades between Burke Road and Tram Road – with the preferred bidders now selected for the remaining stages of the upgrades from Hoddle Street to Burke Road Together the 3 packages of Eastern Freeway works will add more than 45km of new lanes where they’re needed most with up-to-date technology slashing travel times on the freeway by up to 11 minutes The Momentum consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder for the upgrades between Hoddle Street and Burke Road and new walking and cycling paths including a dedicated bridge over the Yarra River The Synergy consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder to complete the Eastern Freeway upgrades between Tram and Springvale roads upgraded noise walls and revitalised sections of the Koonung Creek Linear Park Major Road Projects Victoria will now work with both bidders ahead of contracts being awarded in 2025 engaging series of festivals and events will be lighting up Springvale South over the coming weekend Amongst celebrations occurring across Australia this month Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple will be holding events from 11-13 April The temple is inviting anyone interested to attend for a rich display of Cambodian culture and community spirit Each day will offer a diverse spread of activities and attractions starting with traditional Buddhist chanting and a blessing ceremony conducted by the temple’s monks each morning from 10am – noon attendees are invited to share in a luncheon event which will highlight traditional Cambodian cuisine Each afternoon of the event will consist of religious activities and traditional games from the Khmer culture which attendees are encouraged to participate in and play each night runs from 6 to 10 PM with the highlight of the day – a Khmer food festival which features even more traditional Khmer cuisine including delicious cakes and live dancing and music Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple is at Clarke Road in Springvale South and the festival runs from 11-13 April technology and Melbourne's first dedicated busway – slashing travel times and improving public transport with speeds now reduced to 80 km/h between Burke and Doncaster roads during the day and 40 km/h at night near work sites The new speed limit will be extended to Tram Road next year as major construction starts The Eastern Freeway Upgrades will stretch from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road and be delivered in three key stages We're starting with Burke to Tram roads first From mid-2025 we’ll start on the book-ends of this massive upgrade from Hoddle Street to Burke Road and Tram Road to Springvale Road the Eastern Freeway Upgrades will seamlessly connect to the new North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen Alongside the completion of the M80 Ring Road at Greensborough they'll slash travel times across the north east Sign up for more project updates at northeastlink.vic.gov.au extensive reinstatement works will return improved open space where it is needed to support construction designs for an upgraded Koonung Creek Reserve and a reconfigured 43,700m2 wetland precinct near Valda Avenue were exhibited for further community comment as part of the project design from Burke to Tram roads We'll keep working through designs and community feedback for new paths trees and plants ahead of major construction starting next year Located between Doncaster Road and Elgar Road the Valda Wetlands will be reconfigured once construction of the new Eastern Freeway express lanes new noise walls and new Heyington Avenue bridge are complete We’ll also be rebuilding Koonung Creek with improvements to better manage water flow and overall health As we deliver the Eastern Freeway Upgrades North East Link tunnels and Ring Road Completion more than 30,000 trees will be planted across Melbourne’s north and east More than 2500 trees have already been planted through our early tree planting program trees have been planted early at Hyde Park Our community engagement team will be out and about talking to people about works in their area and how we can support you during construction You can also contact us on 1800 105 105 to speak to a member of the project team or to make an appointment to see us As we overhaul the Eastern Freeway from Burke to Tram roads we'll be building more than 11 km of new noise walls to meet Victoria's first 58 decibel night-time noise standard – making the Eastern Freeway noise standard the toughest in the state Speeds are now reduced to 80km/h during the day and 40km/h at night on the Eastern Freeway between Burke Road and Doncaster Road These changes will extend to Tram Road next year and help workers safely prepare for major works while keeping the freeway open to traffic This daytime speed limit will be in place until 2028 Safety barriers on both sides of the freeway and in the median will be installed We’ll also begin to prepare dedicated worker and truck access between the freeway and construction areas – helping to keep cars and trucks off local streets you’ll notice some lane and ramp closures at night Please check on- road signage for any changes to the way you travel We're building a new Bulleen Road to create the space needed to build the new Yarra Link Green Bridge and North East Link tunnel entrance There will be lane closures on Bulleen Road in November and December to complete these works For the latest details about this disruption visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au From late 2023 we’ll set up a major work site near Freeway Golf Course in Bulleen The area will support more than 200 workers who will move Bulleen Road and build the new interchange with the North East Link tunnels Drivers will notice reduced speed limits and lane closures at night on the Bulleen Road exit ramp as we install safety barriers and build dedicated access to the site for workers and trucks We know the Koonung Creek Trail is important to the local area and will be keeping it open during construction with a long-term detour in place We ask all path users to follow signs and directions We’re also working to keep the Estelle Street bridge over the Eastern Freeway open during construction From January 2024 we’ll start to close sections of Koonung Creek Reserve in Balwyn North for two construction areas About a third of the reserve will remain open during construction with the reserve reinstated with improvements afterwards The works areas will support over 1000 workers and be used to help build the new interchange with the North East Link tunnels and new walking and bike bridges at Estelle Street we’ve reduced the size of the construction areas needed and will be keeping trees along Kosciusko Road and Carron Street We’ll also keep as much of the vegetation as possible within the compound footprint These major work sites will include onsite car parking to keep construction traffic off local streets large timber fencing known as ‘hoarding’ will be installed around the construction areas We’ll be working with nearby residents to help choose designs for printed panels Works will be staged to return areas of the reserve to the community as soon as possible 10,000+ new trees including more than 1.8 million new plants will be planted for the first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Burke Road to Tram Road As we deliver this major overhaul of the Eastern Freeway we’ll be working to minimise disruptions for local residents We’ll be carefully managing our works to consider local people and the environment by: owners of nearby properties will be offered a free property condition survey Property condition surveys are commonly carried out for major projects Although construction is not expected to affect properties Taskforce Lunar detectives are investigating a fire at two tobacco shops in Springvale overnight It’s believed offenders arrived at the Buckingham Avenue stores just before 2am on Thursday The exact circumstances are still being established however two neighbouring stores were set alight before the offenders left the scene A resident of one of the apartments above the stores called triple zero (000) with police and Fire Rescue Victoria attending shortly after All residents of the 20 apartments above the stores had to be evacuated as a result of the fire An arson chemist is attending the scene this morning and it’s understood the building has sustained significant structural damage No one was physically injured during the fire Police are treating the fire as suspicious and detectives from Taskforce Lunar are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or with any other information about the fire Investigators also believe an attempted arson at the same stores on 7 October last year is also linked Detective Inspector Graham Banks urges any witnesses with any information to come forward “Early this morning we saw 20 residential properties evacuated as a result of this fire – that’s 20 homes filled with innocent people who potentially could have lost their life as a result of this reckless act “We have been clear since these arson attacks started that it is only a matter of time before someone is killed directly because of one of these fires Today we were very lucky but next time we may not be “We also have a large number of people who have had to find somewhere else to stay and will be anxiously waiting to hear what damage their homes sustained and we are doing everything we can to find those responsible for both lighting and directing the fire.” Taskforce Lunar was established in October 2023 to investigate serious and violent offending linked to organised crime groups involved in the illicit tobacco trade They are investigating over 125 fires across Victoria with the majority occurring at businesses involved in the sale of tobacco Detectives have arrested over 100 people in connection with these fires as well as a range of serious offending such as extortions Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 illegal dumping and other poor waste disposal is plaguing Springvale Activity Centre according to a Greater Dandenong Council report Council officers reported also the inappropriate wash out of trucks and other material into council drains by meat and seafood businesses was leading to stench complaints The report was presented at the council meeting on Monday 24 March after the issues was first flagged at a council meeting on 9 December last year by councillor Sean O’Reilly Among the many primary contributors identified in the council report one of the top contributors is potentially unknown illegal private sewer connections into the council’s drainage infrastructure Other contributors are contaminated recycling bins poor private waste collection and excessive amounts of single-use plastic bags this is merely the first step into solving the issue as additional resources “Springvale shopping centre has some wonderful smells But unfortunately there’s also other kinds that stink “My view and Council’s view is that we eliminate the practices leading to the bad smells so that the great smells of the Springvale Market are most prominent “The report is a good first step in identifying and how we can work in the future “It’s not going to happen overnight but hopefully it will happen.” He says the council is looking at a long-term solution of getting rid of the loading zone on Balmoral Avenue laneway and the Multicultural Place shopping area and replacing it with an extension of Multicultural Place the project is “quite a few years away” from reality as it’s subject to State and Federal funding It’s considered too late to be part of Council’s advocacy priorities this federal election but an option for the State elections in October 2026 particularly for federal and state elections we can have them tip into it,” O’Reilly said “A lot of the times we found before elections they want to fund things that are ready to go so they can announce it and know exactly what they’re funding “So that’s the reason why we’re getting it ready to go now even though it’s dependent on council rates funding and there’s nothing on the long-term financial plan yet.” he says the upgrade is not his top priority which is instead the two main “brakes on growth” in Springvale – cleanliness and congestion but they say they won’t go because it’s too hard to find parking or maybe due to smell.” he proposes a potential solution of reviewing council policy to potentially use the area’s CCTV for environmental health enforcement the council is not allowed to use the CCTV as an enforcement strategy The council report also recommends continuing to educate businesses to better manage the issue at hand The Multicultural Place upgrade is out for community feedback on the council website until Sunday 13 April A selection of ideas include better placed street furniture flexible outdoor dining and improved precinct sustainability including the use of smart technologies More multi-storey homes are earmarked for precincts around Springvale Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced the station precincts as among 25 new ‘train and tram zone activity centres’ “It makes sense to allow more homes and height near public transport hubs – where else is better suited for it?” Allan said The new planning controls will encourage more homes around the Dandenong rail corridor – which are expected to have more train services when Metro Tunnel opens this year In what the Government calls a “gentle density” vision more multi-storey residential buildings will be encouraged in the “immediate core” at the stations there will be scaled height limits and more low-rise apartments and townhouses It aims to slash structure planning processes from up to five years down to about 12 months The Government stated there would be no change to heritage and landscape overlays The activity centres will be designed in consultation with locals and completed by early 2026 Planning Minister Kilkenny said the Government would “strike the right balance between listening and acting” we must keep the foot on the pedal to fight the housing crisis.” Mulgrave MP Eden Foster said the Government wanted to ensure the next generation could still afford to live in Noble – “a great place for families Springvale District Football and Netball Club has secured exclusive access to its home ground function room despite objections from other user groups has lacked a dedicated social space for its growing membership meaning volunteers had to set-up and pack up after every home game The exclusive use of the function room during the winter-sports season runs from April to September The club’s chairman Tony Cooper said they are delighted that Greater Dandenong Council has recognised the club’s value “We have grown participation to the point that the existing facilities are not close to being adequate in size or condition “We are particularly proud that this decision will finally bring our nine netball teams under the same roof as our footballers “With the new courts now operational The issue was first raised in July last year by councillor Sean O’Reilly highlighting the great inconvenience to the club’s volunteers “There’s going to be someone losing either way let’s be upfront and honest,” he said at a 24 March council meeting “Given that this is one of the largest and most successful clubs in the municipality this council shouldn’t be saying to this club: don’t grow gain community participation … as a council we will support you “The club that is playing right at Springvale Reserve should be the main tenant of the function room and if it’s not then it’ll be extremely challenging for them now and in the future.” councillors Isabella Do and Rhonda Garad argued the facility should be used by the wider community and not just one group as well as highlighting the financial implications Under the exclusive-use deal with the sports club the council is expected to lose $15,174 per annum in community booking revenue The council-led consultation received 292 submissions including seven from community organisations Half of the responses were associated with the club out of which 42.6 per cent lived outside the municipality 71 per cent of non-associates of the club didn’t support the exclusive allocation Objectors argued the function room should be available to the whole community not just one group and that there was a lack of alternative venues Cr Do said the club had only made up 35 per cent of the bookings during winter meaning a wider 65 per cent of users would be excluded “So we’re saying that remaining 65 percent of community groups “I would like to mention I’m disappointed that this went ahead in the first place “I grew up in this community and I appreciate the safe community spaces “It’s a very affordable facility in the ward and there are no limits in terms of minimum hours.” A man has been charged with murder after the death of a 21-year-old man in Endeavour Hills this month Emergency services were called to reports of a man located deceased inside a property on Mossgiel Park Drive about 6.30am on 13 April A 20-year-old Springvale South man was arrested nearby and was taken to hospital under police guard He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 21 August Night trading will be launched in Springvale as a part of a local business group initiative Springvale Asian Business Association (SABA) seeks to activate the shopping precinct at night with live performances at Multicultural Place in December as well as new LED lighting and lanterns It is hoped to attract more customers to the district’s popular restaurants and eateries Launched with a spectacular street march and dancers on 11 December the initiative is funded from a $17 million State Government fund for multicultural traders and precincts and also backed by Greater Dandenong Council Small Business Minister Natalie Suleyman said multicultural businesses were the “heart and soul” of Victoria’s economy “We are backing local groups like the Springvale Asian Business Association so they can find new ways for their traders to grow “Local businesses know their community like the back of their hand so– we’re backing them to create initiatives that will appeal to the people and families they serve.” Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti said the initiative strongly aligned with the council’s Springvale Revitalisation Action Plan “The plan will identify actions for private and public sector investment and partnerships to support the Springvale community to grow “We will continue to deliver placemaking projects throughout the Springvale Activity Centre including a combination of infrastructure upgrades and dynamic programming of vibrant events.” Springvale Central Ward councillor Sean O’Reilly said night trading was the “best opportunity to grow trade” due to the Springvale Market area near capacity at peak times Detectives from Taskforce Lunar are investigating a fire at two tobacco shops in Springvale that occurred overnight It is believed that the offenders arrived at the Buckingham Avenue stores just before 2am on Thursday 9 January in a white Toyota Hiace van The exact circumstances around the incident are still being established No one was physically harmed during the fire Detective Inspector Graham Banks from Taskforce Lunar said that in the early hours of 9 January “we saw 20 residential properties evacuated as a result of this fire” “That’s 20 homes filled with innocent people who potentially could have lost their lives as a result of this reckless act “Today we are very lucky but next time we may not be,” he said A resident of one of the apartments above the stores called triple zero with police and Fire Rescue Victoria attending shortly after An aerosol chemist attended the scene this morning and it is understood the building has sustained significant structural damage Inspector Banks added that they have a “large number of people who have had to find somewhere else to stay and will be anxiously waiting to hear what damage their homes sustained” “It’s not fair and it’s not acceptable and we are doing everything we can to find those responsible for both lighting and directing the fire “If there is anyone out there who witnessed the fire or has any information at all about who is responsible then I urge those people to come forward and tell us before this happens again with potentially fatal consequences,” he said Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au Crime and public safety in central Springvale have taken a turn for the worse Springvale Central Ward candidate Minh Le and Springvale South Ward candidate Andy Tran were fresh from a fact-finding walk-through with Victoria Police on Wednesday 11 September Top of mind was the spate of stabbings in Springvale’s CBD There was a stabbing outside Commonwealth Bank on the previous Saturday and awful group-violence marring the night of Springvale Snow Fest Le says he’s noticed a “decline” in safety in Springvale since the start of the Covid pandemic “There are a lot of people afraid to walk to their cars at night.” The same could be said for Springvale South shopping centre says Tran – who tells a story of up to four offenders snatching a necklace off a shopper’s neck “I get worried that we might accept this as a norm We shouldn’t allow this sort of thing to happen “We should make sure there’s confidence in the community so they can go out without fear of being robbed.” lighting and funding for Neighbourhood Watch – including for information in multiple languages They are welcoming a police pledge for weekly patrols of the shopping districts Le and Tran noticed that the police presence during last week’s walk-through seemed to help Both were impressed by officers’ quick and efficient seizure of a hidden knife after a sharp-eyed witness saw the handle protruding from a person’s bag Springvale North councillor Sean O’Reilly raised the under-resourcing of police in Springvale It was leading to long delays for police to attend triple-0 calls Le says crime is under-reported in Springvale resulting in police being allocated less resources than required For the sake of getting better police resources he urged shoppers and traders to overcome their reluctance to report crime Or they can give anonymous information to Crime Stoppers “They don’t want to give their names and details The walk-through was organised by deputy mayor Richard Lim – who was aiming to switch seats to Springvale North Ward but his candidacy is in doubt due to not being named on the electoral roll recently shared a joint campaign launch with Le and Tran It was attended by other Labor candidates Jim Memeti Zahra Haydarbig as well as mayor Lana Formoso – but would have put Lim at odds with sitting ALP councillors O’Reilly and Loi Truong The pair stress their focus is on the community Le says he is “not political” and doesn’t understand the political system Tran says he’s a member of an unnamed political party but “not really a politician” The duo say they share Lim’s vision for a more ambitious which lags behind the towering Asian precincts in Glen Waverley and Box Hill Tran adds that activating the areas with more people will make them safer fresher energy to Greater Dandenong Council Le volunteers for Springvale Rotary Club as well as teaching English to older migrants at SICMAA (Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association) But we can’t change it unless we get in a position to change it.” Tran also is active with Monash Health public health unit as well as an Afri Aus Care board member and SICMAA volunteer “It’s about the similarities between our communities I see a lot of the African communities’ challenges are similar to our refugee families went through.” He’ll be pitting himself against long-time sitting councillor Loi Truong “Hopefully Minh and I can get a fresh face and a working relationship in the council to gain common ground and good results.”  A surprised Greater Dandenong council election candidate Alice Phuong Le was caught unawares when she’d provisionally won the Springvale Central ward after preferences on 7 November so surprised to be honest,” the ALP member told Star Journal the entire time during the campaign I worked so hard “Every single day I worked for hours and asked residents to support me the Area Specialist real-estate agent has called Springvale home for almost a decade she had been narrowly leading by just 34 votes over ALP candidate Meng Bunlay (1635) and 41 over Minh Le (1628) she drew away from Minh Le to win by 1077 votes on the back of a 71 per cent preference flow from party colleague Bunlay Her contender Meng Bunlay says her gender may have contributed to her winning as she was the only female amongst the six candidates for the ward It could be that she’s a female while most of us are male – that could be advantageous for her “Other candidates had a stronger base from the start I grew up in this country and I respect that.” Meanwhile Melinda Yim – who stood as an independent but is applying for Labor membership – comfortably defeated long-term ex-councillor Peter Brown by 1330 votes after preferences in Keysborough Ward a former Labor member who stood as a genuine independent first served on the council from 2003-16 and 2019-21 and was a one-time mayor Yim says Brown was a concern for her during the election campaign “I wouldn’t have been disappointed if he did win because I think I agree with a majority of his policies “I would’ve respected the residents’ decision.” The young 28-year-old is waiting on her ALP membership to be approved saying she’s looking forward to work with her “family’s favourite” the five-time mayor Jim Memeti from Dandenong Ward who presented her family’s citizenship award as a mayor of Greater Dandenong Council “My family would definitely be excited for me to work with him “My major policy is assisting with residents with disabilities and elderly residents They could have more attention given to them.” The quality-assurance assistant in the pharmaceutical industry says she’d like to focus on the upkeep of parks She says she chose to pursue science at the University of Melbourne to “better understand” her sister’s condition and also of others in the disability community Greens party member Rhonda Garad defeated the ALP’s Angela Long a three-time mayor who had been on the council for the past 25 long years The Cleeland ward also went into preference vote with Garad drawing out 424 votes ahead after preferences She will be teaming up with the victorious Greens party member Isabella Do in Keysborough South Ward she defeated second-placed ALP member Alexandra Bryant by more than a whooping 2529 votes 62.8 per cent) as well as conservative independent Bob Milkovic (Dandenong North 52 per cent) all polled more than 50 per cent primaries – and have provisionally won their seats Counting in Springvale North and Springvale South wards will continue tomorrow (8 November) with ALP incumbents Sean O’Reilly and Loi Truong favoured to reclaim their seats — An elderly woman was transported to the hospital following a house fire in Springvale Township on Tuesday The Springvale Township Fire Department responded to the fire in the late afternoon and were at the scene for around four and a half hours The department used water from Pickerel Lake to help fight the fire "It went really quick with the weather conditions Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage The woman transported to the hospital was facing injuries related to smoke inhalation. She was the only person in the home, but two dogs were lost in the fire. Sutfin said the cause of the fire is undetermined, but the structure was a total loss. — Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn. Two residents have been safely evacuated from a fierce blaze at a home in Springvale South on the morning of Thursday 13 February. Fire Rescue Victoria and CFA members were called to the blaze about 9.48am, finding the garage fully involved by fire and spreading into the roof of the adjacent house. “The response was escalated and the scene was deemed under control at 10.01am,” an FRV spokesperson said. “Firefighters are conducting checks for fire extension and any remaining hotspots. “Two occupants were evacuated safely with no injuries.” A community warning for smoke has been issued for the Dingley Village, Keysborough, Noble Park and Springvale South areas. Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria were on the scene. Suburbs: northern parts of Springvale including Sandown, part of Noble Park Sitting councillor: Sean O’Reilly (Australian Labor Party), elected 2012-present Other candidates: Huong Dinh, Angela Holl How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong? I have lived in Greater Dandenong since 2006, actively engaging with the local community and serving its residents. I have a background with the ALP but am running as an independent candidate. My campaign is self-funded, and my policy decisions are based on what is best for residents, free from political party influence. I work as a Senior Software Engineer at SecurePay, a subsidiary of Australia Post. I own property in Springvale, where I reside, and also have an investment property in Noble Park. My primary focus is my role as a councillor, and I have no external business interests that conflict with my duties. Three most important issues for your ward: 1. Doing everything possible to ease the cost of living, including keeping rates low and cutting unnecessary council expenditure. 2. Enhancing community safety through crime prevention programs and initiatives. 3. Focusing on the essentials that residents want—improving roads, footpaths, parks, libraries, and tackling rubbish dumping to keep our community clean. Describe your involvement in the local community: I have been deeply involved in the Greater Dandenong community for many years. I have served as Mayor and been a strong advocate for local projects that enhance services and economic development. For ten years I was the President of Springvale Rise Primary School, working closely with the school community. I regularly engage with residents and groups to ensure their needs are met, and I consistently advocate for improvements where needed. I prefer not to disclose my campaign budget at this stage for competitive reasons, but I’m happy to provide full transparency after the election. Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? I don’t accept donations and prefer to be entirely self-funded, ensuring my campaign remains independent and accountable to the community. What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? I seek advice from a variety of people, including current MPs and councillors. I don’t believe in directing preferences. I encourage voters to make their own informed decisions on preference allocation. How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong? I have lived in the City of Greater Dandenong almost all my life. Aside from a couple of years living in Keysborough, Springvale North has been my home ever since for over 19 years. Political party (past or present): I am proudly Independent. I ran in the last election as an Independent candidate and will run again as an Independent now. I have never been part of a political party. Occupation, business/employer name: Senior Finance Analyst, at a Telecommunications company. Property interests: I proudly purchased my first home in Springvale North. Bringing recognition to Springvale North Ward – since I ran in the last election, many residents have reached out to me concerned that we haven’t received as much focus as other Greater Dandenong areas. We urgently need improvement in our roads, infrastructure, parks and safety. Bringing an inclusive and balanced voice to Council which our Ward does not have – so our community is heard, consulted and well-represented. Support for residents, businesses, local groups and other members of our community who are facing real cost of living pressures. Describe your involvement in the local community: What is your campaign budget? I am using my own personal money, so my campaign budget is self-funded and small. Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? My campaign is Independent, meaning I am using my own personal savings to fund my campaign. I am not accepting donations to ensure integrity of my decisions. What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? Cr Richard Lim is a family friend and before running, he has given me general advice about community work. However I am running in this election as an Independent candidate. Who will you direct your preferences to? Please see my facebook page (facebook.com/hollangela) for my finalised preferences. Victoria Police are investigating an attempted arson attack on a tobacco shop in Springvale. A grey Mitsubishi Triton ute rammed into a tobacco outlet on Buckingham Avenue about 1.40am on Monday 7 October, police say. Ten minutes later, the ute rammed a second tobacco shop “in close proximity”. “Investigators believe the offenders poured a liquid inside and outside the second shop and were unable to ignite it,” a police spokesperson stated. “The ute fled the scene prior to police arrival.” Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au Jim Simos: This will make Aris the biggest Community Club in the South East suburbs as well as guaranteeing our future for years to come The development of Warner Reserve has been a long-standing goal for Aris South Springvale FC, a club with a history stretching back decades. Recently, the club received the green light to begin development of its old pitch at Virginia St, a milestone that has sparked excitement among its members and supporters. This approval marks the beginning of an ambitious project that promises to transform the club’s facilities and solidify its role as a cornerstone of the southeastern suburbs. A critically-injured 45-year-old man has been rescued from a house fire in Springvale. Emergency services received reports of a large amount of smoke from the Large Street single-storey brick-veneer house about 11.30pm on Tuesday 10 September. Firefighters, who were on scene within five minutes, rescued the man from inside the house and gave him emergency first aid until Ambulance Victoria arrived, an FRV spokesperson said. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. No one else was inside the house at the time. Three dogs inside the property were seized by local authorities. Greater Dandenong CIU detectives are investigating the blaze. “The exact circumstances surrounding the fire are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing,” a Victoria Police spokesperson stated. An arson chemist will attend the scene later today. Ten fire-fighting appliances and 34 firefighters were deployed – with extra resources dispatched due to the volume of Triple-0 calls. Firefighters brought the fire under control by 12.01am, with the house’s entire structure severely damaged, according to FRV. A Community Advice Message was sent due to the amount of smoke in the area. Springvale South Ward incumbent Loi Truong looks in the “box seat” to be returned as a Greater Dandenong councillor, according to the latest election count. So far in the count, the ALP-member was on 2181 votes (35 per cent of the vote) well ahead of his main rivals Thayhorn Yim (1205) and Andy Tran (1062). Truong is expected to draw strong preferences from Tran as well as other candidates Yen Thai (636), Malab Hem (596) and Lin Sok (561). Holding the seat since 2008, Truong only won the 2020 election by 90 votes after preferences. If successful, Truong would help form a likely majority of at least six Labor-affiliated councillors on the 11-member council – Lana Formoso (Noble Park North), Sean O’Reilly (Springvale North), Phillip Danh (Yarraman), Jim Memeti (Dandenong) and Sophie Tan (elected unopposed in Noble Park). Labor candidates are also in the mix in Springvale Central and Cleeland Ward, which is a neck-and-neck tussle between Greens ex-councillor Rhonda Garad (1756) and ALP incumbent Angela Long (1575). At Springvale Central, there were just 39 votes splitting Labor member and real estate agent Alice Phuong Le (1486 votes), architect Minh Le (1466) and Labor member and migration agent Meng Bunlay (1447). Independent incumbent Bob Milkovic (Dandenong North) as well as independent Melinda Yim (Keysborough) and Greens candidate Isabella Do (Keysborough South) are strongly ahead. Official results are expected to be announced by the Victorian Electoral Commission on 11 November. Police have seized a substantial amount of drugs and cash following the arrest of three people, in an investigation into the alleged trafficking of illicit substances in Melbourne's southeast. The Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Policing Team - with assistance from the Springvale Divisional Response Unit - executed a search warrant at a home on Sunrise Court, Springvale South, about 9.15am on Thursday 7 November. A 32-year-old man was arrested. It will be alleged he was in close proximity to a bum bag containing a loaded 9mm semi-automatic firearm, as well as ammunition, drugs and cash. While inside, police arrested another man and a woman, before locating: • Commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, heroin, and ecstasy • Almost three litres of 1,4-Butanediol • Firearm parts and several rounds of ammunition of various calibres • Precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs of dependence • Several mobile phones and electronic devices • Pills that will undergo further analysis. Police also seized almost $100,000 cash as well as luxury watches, which are believed to proceeds of crime. The 32-year-old man and 28-year-old woman were charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of ketamine, trafficking commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy and 1,4-Butanediol, trafficking cocaine and possessing precursor chemicals, as well as knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. The man was also charged with possessing a handgun and ammunition. He appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday 8 November, where he was further remanded, while the woman appeared on Monday 11 November, where she was granted bail. They are both due to reappear on 14 February 2025. The 59-year-old man was released pending summons. Police will allege the trio was manufacturing the substances in bedrooms of the home prior to their distribution. Suburbs: parts of Springvale, Springvale South and Noble Park Sitting councillor: Vacated by Richard Lim (Australian Labor Party) Candidates: Meng Bunlay (Australian Labor Party), Hor Truong, Brian Dalton, Alice Phuong Le (ALP), Minh Le, Sean Stebbings (Victorian Socialists) How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong?: As a renter, I’ve been forced to move a lot. I’m lucky to have lived in Greater Dandenong for 3 years now and I hope to stay! None. My only interest is fighting dodgy landlords and real estate agents. None. Greater Dandenong should vote for candidates who put the community first, not what will enrich their business or property portfolios. 1. Housing. We urgently need more public housing and rent controls. Housing should be a human right, not an investment opportunity for the wealthiest few. 2. People before profit. We need councils that promote equitable, sustainable development – including taking action on the climate crisis – not ones that only listen to big business and big developers. 3. Fighting for local, and global, solidarity and justice. Whether it’s Israel’s genocide in Gaza, fighting for justice alongside First Nations people, or opposing racism and attacks on the LGBTIQ+ community: councils should speak out and act against injustice. In recent times I’ve supported the local community organising and fighting for a free Palestine. I hope to build new ties with the community for a range of issues as their councillor and fight for fairer Greater Dandenong council. Working class people deserve a workers party. Both Labor and Liberal are full of wealthy landlords that have opposing interests to the people that elected them. As a renter and worker, I’ll fight for working class interests. If the council had more renters and less landlords, it would be a fairer council. Every single one of my competitors have made it challenging to even discover their political affiliations. Perhaps they’re embarrassed. However, Victorian Socialists will always preference from left-to-right. We will always put the most rabid right-wing parties last. Suburb of residence: City of Greater Dandenong- Springvale I have had the privilege of living in Greater Dandenong for over 15 years, during which I have also run three small businesses. This experience has strengthened my connection to the community and deepened my Political party (past or present): Labor Party Occupation, business/employer name: I am the Director of Area Specialist Alice Phuong (Keysborough office base), a real estate agency. Property interests: I am an owner of property. Business interests: I have interests in real estate as well as building design and drafting through my business, Award Dream Home. • Infrastructure Improvement: Upgrading roads, public transport, and community facilities to enhance accessibility and safety. • Affordable Housing: Addressing the need for accessible and affordable housing options to support diverse community needs. • Safety: Enhancing street safety and neighbourhood security through improved lighting, community policing, and public awareness initiatives. I have been actively involved in the local community through various nonprofit organizations. I volunteered as a team leader with SEMVAC Inc. (South Eastern Melbourne Vietnamese Associations Council) and served as a board member for the Vietnamese Australian Federal (VAF). Additionally, I contributed my time and skills as a Judo coach and board member (serving as secretary and referee) for Judo Victoria, helping to promote community engagement and support local initiatives. I’m standing for election to make a positive impact in our community. I believe in fostering a safe, inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is heard. By addressing key issues like infrastructure, affordable housing, and community safety, I aim to improve the quality of life for all residents and ensure a brighter future for our ward. My campaign budget is limited, focusing on cost-effective strategies to engage the community and promote our message. I’ll prioritize grassroots efforts, leveraging volunteer support and local resources to maximize impact while staying within financial constraints. I have not received contributions from any donors for my campaign. My focus is on grassroots support and community engagement, ensuring that my efforts reflect the interests and needs of the residents without Mr. Loi Truong, the current councillor for the Springvale South Ward in Greater Dandenong, has provided valuable assistance and advice for my campaign. His insights and experience in local governance have been instrumental in shaping my approach and priorities. I will direct my preferences to my campaign manager, Dr. Kim Son Vu How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong? I do not live in Greater Dandenong, but I’ve been involved in my Cambodian communities in Springvale and Springvale South for over 24 years. I run my own migration practice in Springvale for several years. Political party (past or present): Australian Labor Party Occupation, business/employer name: Director and Immigration Consultant of Visalink Solutions 1) To support local business to drive economic growth; 2) to enhance community safety with strong police partnerships, improved street lighting and CCTV; and 3) To keep council rates low through responsible spending I’ve been a community advocate for the Cambodian communities in Springvale and Springvale South for over 24 years. I have held several community positions including as Secretary of the Cambodian Buddhist Association of Victoria for 14 years till 2014 and am now their Senior Advisor. From 2017, I held the position as Secretary for the Cambodian Australian Federation. With my community and professional experiences, I believe that I can serve the residents of Springvale Central Ward with passion, integrity and offering new ideas to our City of Greater Dandenong. Residents of Springvale Central Ward deserve a councillor who puts their interests first. What is your campaign budget? I’m funding for my own campaign. Who are your campaign donors? Not applicable. How much have each contributed? Not applicable I’ve been assisted and advised by the current and ex-councillors for my campaign. Who will you direct your preferences to? To ALP members Three people have been arrested and large amounts of drugs and cash seized during a police raid of a Springvale South home on Thursday 7 November. During the operation in Sunrise Court about 9.15am, police allegedly seized almost 1 kilogram of ketamine, commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, heroin and ecstasy and almost three lires of 1,4-butanediol. They also discovered almost $100,000 cash and luxury watches, police say. Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Policing Team – assisted by Springvale Divisional Response Unit – allege the trio were making illicit drugs in the home’s bedrooms prior to distribution. A 32-year-old man was arrested while allegedly near a bum bag containing a loaded 9-millimetre semi-automatic gun as well as ammunition, drugs and cash. A 28-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man were also arrested. Police also allegedly seized cocaine, cannabis, firearm parts, several rounds of ammunition of various calibres and an imitation handgun. Knuckle dusters, precursor chemicals used to make illicit drugs, several phones and electronic devices, and pills were also allegedly seized. The woman and youngest man were charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of ketamine, commercial quantities of meth, heroin, ecstasy and 1,4-butanediol as well as trafficking cocaine, possessing precursor chemicals and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. The man was also charged with possessing a handgun and ammunition. He appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday 8 November and further remanded. The woman appeared at court on Monday 11 November and was granted bail. Both are scheduled to reappear at court on 14 February. The 59-year-old was released pending summons. Residents have fled from a fierce, suspicious house fire at Wardale Road, Springvale South on Sunday 13 October. The double-storey brick house was “fully involved in fire” when firefighters arrived within three minutes of receiving triple-0 calls about 8.43pm. Thirty-six firefighters and 12 appliances attacked from the outside with multiple hoselines due to concerns about the structure’s stability and the size of the fire, the FRV stated. “The blaze was intensified by a high fuel load present at the property. “Homes on both sides of the fire were under threat from the flames, but firefighters were able to protect them from fire spread.” The two occupants – a man and woman – were treated by Ambulance Victoria for smoke inhalation. The woman was taken to hospital for treatment. A firefighter was injured and treated by AV for minor injuries. The fire was declared under control at 9.24pm. “The cause of the fire is yet to be determined but will be investigated by fire investigators.” A community advice message was issued for smoke from the blaze. Police are investigating the circumstances for they described as a “suspicious fire;”. “Police have established a crime scene and an arson chemist will attend the scene on 14 October.” Any information, CCTV or dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au Picture by MJM ConsultingDevelopers want to transform one suburban property into a new street with space for 11 homes All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueResidents can have their first browse of a planned Springvale subdivision that has been put on public exhibition by owner Paul Bourne Homes The 8 Belmore Place property was purchased by the building company in May 2024 for $2.3 million director Paul Bourne wants to turn the 1.81-hectare property into a new cul-de-sac with 11 new residential lots He said he is hopeful the plans will pass the first stages of approval with the local government "It's only going to add value to Belmore Place," Mr Bourne said "We're hopeful that we get 11 1400 metre blocks approved." Engineers identified the western side of the property as at risk of flooding The road would be wide enough for two vehicles to pass with an additional 3.5 metres on either side of the lanes Major overland flood plan for a proposed subdivision of 8 Belmore Place Picture by MJM Consulting EngineersMr Bourne has been involved in other subdivision projects including six lots on Brindabella Drive and properties on Jumbuck Drive in Gobbagombalin and Deakin Drive in Lloyd Springvale has also been the site of several other subdivision plans, including the division of a 100-acre hobby farm and a 44-acre property on Gregadoo Road House and land packages of 1500 square metres at nearby development Lake Albert Manors are on the market for $1.25 million. The median property value in Springvale is $894,000 which is a 12.4 per cent decrease from the previous year, according to CoreLogic data. However, the suburb has seen a 58 per cent increase in median property value over the past five years. Plans for the proposed subdivision are open for public exhibition via the Wagga City Council's website until December 16. Newsletters & AlertsView allDaily Today's top stories curated by our news team Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords Police are investigating a suspicious factory fire in Springvale overnight Emergency services were called to the two-storey tilt factory on Westall and Centre roads about 11.37pm on Monday 25 November FRV firefighters arrived within six minutes to find the 600-square metre building “totally consumed by flames” The blaze was brought under control at 11.51pm “Firefighters gained access to an adjoining factory to assist with operations “Crews wore wearing breathing apparatus to conduct an internal attack and extinguish the blaze.” Victoria Police stated that the fire was being treated as suspicious “A crime scene guard is in place and an arson chemist and detectives will attend in the morning,” a police spokesperson said Two men including an 83-year-old have been arrested and $1 million worth of stolen vehicles and assets seized during police raids on an alleged international car rebirthing syndicate in Greater Dandenong Police led by the Vehicle Crime Squad raided a commercial premises in Springvale and a semi-rural property in Bangholme on Wednesday 11 December drugs and cash from the Springvale property including: • A range of stolen and cloned number plates; • A VIN compliance plate OV laser machine (makes metal VIN compliance plates); police seized three long arm firearms and an allegedly stolen VW Golf engine The vehicles will all be forensically assessed with police hoping to return them to their rightful owners as soon as possible A 34-year-old Springvale man and an 83-year-old Bangholme man were both arrested and interviewed by police The Springvale man was charged with 17 offences of handling stolen goods and deception and bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 21 March The Bangholme man will be charged on summons with firearms offences Vehicle Examination Unit and Dog Squad officers were involved in the raids Detective Senior Sergeant Jarrod Turner of Vehicle Crime Squad said the result was “extremely satisfying” after a year-long investigation The probe started with the assistance of Australian Border Force after a container bound for the UAE was found holding four stolen vehicles three stolen vehicles were located at the business responsible for shipping the container Those seven vehicles were all seized by police Stolen and rebirthed vehicles were often used to commit other serious crimes “There can be a misconception that offenders are able to move around more easily and without detection “Having your vehicle stolen can have an enormous impact on people’s lives – as well as having a significant financial impact it also limits people’s freedom of movement and having a car might be crucial when it comes to their employment or family responsibilities.” A man and three boys from the South East have been charged over an allegedly stolen vehicle in Springvale on Friday 17 January Springvale police responded to reports of a carload of males wearing balaclavas and gloves in a Princes Highway car park about 8pm the silver Nissan X Trail allegedly reversed at speed collided with a parked car and drove forward into a police vehicle Three males were arrested in the Nissan by police a fourth fled on foot and was arrested in a nearby backyard The Nissan was allegedly stolen from a Clyde North property last week a 16-year-old Dandenong boy and a 13-year-old Greater Dandenong boy were charged with car theft They were bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date A 21-year-old Clyde North man was charged with car theft He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 30 April City of Greater Dandenong was “tumultuously” forced into being The former Dandenong and Springvale municipalities merged on 15 December 1994 as part of sweeping council amalgamations under the Kennett State Government One of the controversies was the new city’s name A group of Dandenong councillors including Frank Holohan and mayor David Kelly resisted the State Government’s preference and successfully lobbied for Greater Dandenong as the moniker saying that Dandenong is where everything including Springvale and Berwick sprang from,” former Dandenong and Greater Dandenong councillor John Kelly says “(The Premier Jeff) Kennett was quick to change it to Greater Dandenong – it was a win for Dave and Frank.” The outcome didn’t please the larger Springvale Council it was symbolically made the ‘second fiddle’ to the 60,000-strong Dandenong Council “Our city became a suburb overnight,” says the then Springvale councillor Roz Blades The name changed and we had no input into that If we had to be together as an amalgamation They didn’t support the city being named after an existing township and a road They hadn’t settled on a name but preferred ‘City of Sandown’ Springvale didn’t want to join Dandenong in the first place retaining Dingley Village and adding Braeside Park and the bayside suburbs Mordialloc and Chelsea Dandenong councillors submitted for a 180,000-resident ‘super city’ that would absorb the bulk of City of Springvale and 40 per cent of City of Berwick Springvale mayor Phil Reed slammed the proposal as “greedy” – as well as severing Dingley Village from the existing Springvale council area the then-CEO of Berwick Neil Lucas said Dandenong had “no plan” for the remaining 60 per cent of Berwick residents It would commit the “residents of the growth corridor to a lower standard of living in the future” the State Government opted for a Springvale and Dandenong alliance we would strive to make the very best of it.” the new Greater Dandenong didn’t have councillors It was overseen by three commissioners Ian Cathie Blades and Kelly were among the re-elected councillors who formed the first council They recall the commissioners doing a great job Kelly recalls there were also frictions between the “Labor-leaning” Springvale councillors and the more business-oriented Dandenong councillors at the first meetings “It was as tough for them as it was for us The two councils were a bit divided when we came together on where money should be spent and how it was spent “Some of the ideas from Springvale were different from Dandenong “It took at least a term to get used to it.” Dandenong brought forward spending on fixing issues at its market “We were thinking what are they going to do with our money when we merged “There was also a feeling that knowledge would be lost (due to staff cuts) but people picked it up as time went on.” Blades says the areas were undeniably different Springvale had the Enterprise hostel for new migrants I remember it being quite frantic at the time but I had a determination that it was going to work I went to great pains when in Dandenong to wear the Springvale (mayoral) chains and in Springvale to wear the Dandenong chains.” the council meetings and administration offices were shared between Springvale and Dandenong Meetings and officers all moved to the new Dandenong Civic Centre in 2014 That was when Greater Dandenong truly welded together saying they’d hung onto the dual administration hubs for too long But it was always going to take time to take the band-aid off it all.” Kelly and Blades agreed that council mergers needed to happen in some cases Especially for small inner-Melbourne municipalities such as Collingwood However outer suburban councils such as Knox and Frankston didn’t merge “Whether or not Springvale with 94,000 people needed to amalgamate it’s a hard question about whether the merger was worth it “Most in the public were accepting of the merger It was mainly those in council or who worked for the council who were opposed But after all those years we all move on – we have to accept it “I don’t think it’s done us any bad.” You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream Press PLAY to hear Emilia’s full review If you’re looking for a dining experience with a bit of extra flair TungThit is known for having the most expensive banh mi in Melbourne at $58 I had to find out what all the fuss was about Anthony is of Vietnamese descent and their two locations in Springvale and Victoria St Abbotsford are amongst some of the most iconic strips of Vietnamese culture in Melbourne meaning their competition is high made a bold shift from his career in luxury cars and hospitality to open TungThit Sizzling Steak he initially moved to Australia with aspirations in the export industry but soon discovered his true calling in the restaurant world he launched their first restaurant in Springvale just as the COVID-19 pandemic was unfolding With a background as a butcher and a wealth of self-taught cooking skills Anthony ensures that every steak is a flavorful masterpiece with a new location in Abbotsford and a growing presence on social media he continues to elevate the TungThit brand transforming his initial career shift into a celebrated culinary success story Well there is some more context to the $58 banh mi price tag it has a whole slow cooked six hour short-rib inside Drawing from his Vietnamese roots the short rib is slow cooked in broth with fresh herbs and vegetables The waiter brings it to the table with the bone still in for flavour (and definitely a bit of theatre) they pull out the bone at the table and show you how tender the meat is of course you’re then offered a taste of the meat as they come over and feed it to you For more theatrics we also tried the beef carpaccio which has a lightly spicy citrus over it thinly sliced raw beef topped with red onion and peppers The waitress rolled the beef over itself and cut into sections for the table before being put onto sesame rice crackers before popping it onto each of our plates all served and ready the second best thing of the night was of course their steaks that they’re so well known for We got their tenderloin eye fillet wagyu MS6 Anthony’s love for great quality meat is truly showcased here Their panache continued through to their fried rice when they brought out bone marrow still in their bone tossing it through the rice for extra flavour It certainly didn’t finish there though; you can only get one in their Abbotsford store – Vietnamese coffee souffle which you push a scoop of ice cream through and drizzle cream over the top Nothing is without that extra bit of personality Fun fact is that their newer Abbotsford location happens to be in one of the buildings Dustin Martin and Ralph Carr alongside Chris Bissiotis restored in 2020 but the building has been there since 1880 for those times when you want a little bit ‘extra’ – it’s fun the clear thought behind not just the dishes but the way they are presented are worth it There’s not many other places in Melbourne where you can get an experience like that Maybe not but I would say everyone needs to try it once It’s a great display of the fun that can be had with food and the power of hype Sitting councillor: Loi Truong (Australian Labor Party) No response to Star Journal candidate survey: Truong How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong: 1 year Business interests: expanding reasonable and affordable housing to the low income Three most important issues for your ward: affordable housing enhancing infrastructure and community safety including better street lighting and security cameras Describe your involvement in the local community: I have been involved with the Vietnamese community for almost 10 years to provide community engagement support and help to improve lives for family and senior residents I want to bring new ideas with different approaches My focus is on improving infrastructure and local amenities MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign I will be your loyal and honest representative at CGD Council How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong business/employer name: Senior Immigration Advisor Three most important issues for your ward: !) Community safety and crime prevention for residents and business I have worked closely with police to improve community safety and business image in the areas Uplifting Springvale South Shopping Mall on Athol Road and Coomoora Sporting Reserve for Family Friendly and enjoyment Making the Mall modernised to support local business and attract business acumen Home Care Services and supporting local businesses I will advocate strongly against the privatization of essential services and work for better facilities My track records and awards highlight my commitment to social welfare of people I have lived in the City of Greater Dandenong for almost 30 years With 10 years as a senior public servant for Centrelink/CES/DSS/DEETYA 30 years of volunteer experience on school councils and community committees including a peak professional body the MIA (Migration Institute of Australia) as Vice President of Vic/Tas My awards highlight my commitment to social welfare of people I have advocated strongly against the privatization of essential services and worked for better facilities I am passionate about advocating on behalf of residents and businesses that Springvale South Ward has been neglected too long I want to improve the community hub facilities and community safety I have received so much support from many quarters of people of experts in the field including former mayors Credit: JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGEFour people have been taken into custody after a wild police pursuit with a police car repeatedly rammed in Victoria Police have arrested the four people after a police car was rammed in Springvale early on Thursday morning An unmarked police car was on patrol when they noticed a vehicle driving erratically shortly before 2am Get the first look at the digital newspaper curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox Get the NewsletterBy continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The police vehicle then followed an alleged stolen Mazda CX-9 to a dead-end road on Maple Street when it crashed into the police car numerous times before the occupants abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot The officers who were uninjured in the crash chased the offenders and arrested two men nearby Patrols of the area then discovered two women who were also taken into custody A search of the vicinity was conducted and an imitation firearm was located alleged to have been dumped by one of the fleeing occupants Investigators will interview the four in custody in relation to the incident Latest EditionEdition Edition 5 May 20255 May 2025All-powerful Anthony Albanese says give me some R.E.S.P.E.C.T Four teens have been charged after a group bashed a man and stabbed a boy in Springvale on Sunday 28 July Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit detectives allege a large group of youths assaulted a man inside a shopping centre at the corner of Buckingham Avenue and Springvale Road about 7.50pm Emergency services were then called to a group of teenagers allegedly involved in a physical altercation with a 15-year-old Springvale boy at a park outside Springvale Community Hub about 8.20pm The victim sustained stab wounds and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries A 16-year-old Ringwood East boy has been charged with violent disorder in relation to the incident at the shopping centre A 17-year-old Chadstone boy and 15-year-old Berwick boy have both been charged with intentionally causing serious injury and affray in relation to the incident at the park All three were remanded in custody to appear before a children’s court at a later date A 14-year-old Mitcham boy has also been charged with intentionally causing serious injury and affray in relation to the incident at the park and will appear before a children’s court Any information and footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au Four people were arrested after a police car was allegedly rammed numerous times in Springvale Officers in an unmarked police car spotted an erratically-driven vehicle just before 2am on Thursday 28 November The allegedly stolen Mazda CX-9 was followed by police into a dead-end on Maple Street The vehicle crashed “numerous times” into the police car and the occupants then fled on foot The police car’s officers arrested two men nearby Two women were later found during patrols of the area and were taken into custody An imitation firearm was found in the vicinity allegedly dumped by one of the fleeing occupants Police say the four in custody will be interviewed about the incident South East Community Links is again bringing its successful "Bring Your Bills" event to Springvale to provide free practical financial support to an expected 400+ residents facing financial pressures After reaching 2,000 people in its first two years 'Bring Your Bills' will continue during 2025 providing an opportunity for community members to receive confidential and compassionate advice on bills Interpreters and bi-lingual workers are on site covering Dari Partner organisations include City of Greater Dandenong Sheriff's Office Victoria,  South East Water Telstra), and Windermere Child and Family Services With over 30 years' experience delivering financial counselling services South East Community Links is the largest provider to multicultural communities specialising in culturally inclusive and accessible services as evidenced by the highest use of interpreter services it has supported nearly 3,500 clients through almost 60,000 sessions South East Community Links resolved $12.6 million in debt including 56% from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and 31% women experiencing family violence Its innovative 'Bring Your Bills' events and weekly Utility Bills Clinics continue to be critical in helping community members overcome financial challenges “Our 'Bring Your Bills' initiative responds directly to the acute financial pressures in our communities We're dedicated to creating a supportive space for community members to find practical solutions and build confidence in managing financial stress.” Media opportunities include interviews with South East Community Links CEO as well as photo and video coverage of the event *400+ community members expected to attend 'Bring Your Bills' in Springvale *Around 2,000 have attended these events since they were established in 2023 Surveys found 95% of people were more confident about getting help through these services and 86% now trust these services to help them in the future *South East Community Links' Cost of Living Survey was conducted in 2023 to better understand the increasing demand for services. Findings included: 70% of respondents said it was hard to afford food 45% took out short-term loans and 65% wanted more help from businesses South East Community Links is a leading community services organisation serving one of Australia’s most diverse and multicultural regions for more than 50 years We promote social and financial inclusion for all with the belief that every person counts and every system should be fair We are the largest provider of financial counselling to multicultural communities in Victoria Renee HancockMobile: 0417 055 299Email: [email protected] Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet Pay per release or save with a subscription Snow Fest’s magical winter wonderland returned to Springvale on Sunday 28 July Ever popular were the play areas in Buckingham Avenue filled with snow from Mt Buller The event was rounded off with spectacular fireworks synchronized to winter classics A typical family home in Dingley Village was the scene for an extraordinary fire safety short film last Wednesday (25 July 2018) which has been in development for the past three months with a local multicultural group in Springvale Filming with Springvale Fire Brigade to create the Thai fire safety film The Women’s Cultural Friendship Group put up their hands to be the first to make a home fire safety film after CFA delivered a presentation to the Springvale Neighbourhood House earlier in the year about the film project.  called “We speak your language” aims to engage multicultural groups around the Springvale area to come up with a fire safety topic that could inspire a film The group came up with a theme of someone being distracted and leaving cooking unattended as they felt it was a common occurrence in their homes.  They were really concerned about fires starting in the kitchen and what to do if they could not put it out They also wanted to understand more about smoke alarms and what they are for.  The majority of the Cultural Friendship Group speaks Thai with the remainder of the members speaking Vietnamese Khmer and Lao.  So the group decided to make the film in Thai The Thai community is a growing community in Victoria and across Australia.  The fire safety film needed some action by the local brigade to support the story line Springvale brigade career firefighters alongside Springvale brigade volunteers donned breathing equipment to enter the house to put out the ‘fire’ and calm down the resident.   The crew of six with two fire trucks were incredibly adaptable at the request of the film director and did not get flustered with several takes of the same scene CFA firefighters stuck it out until the job was done properly.     The film will be a good demonstration and example to other multicultural groups of what is possible and what can be done in the name of fire safety The main actress in the film is from the community group and not a professional actor so she did a marvelous job sticking to her eccentric character and playing the role.  Although the film will have English subtitles it will be targeting the Thai community uniquely by using culturally relevant and meaningful props and story lines The short film of about 90 seconds will also be used to send out via Facebook and other social media.  The film will hopefully be launched in October and will be put on the CFA TV on YouTube A huge thank you to the Springvale firefighters who took part and have made this film possible and thanks in advance for the next time we call upon you If you have a local multicultural group you want to work with to develop a film based on a local fire safety concern, you can contact angela.cook@cfa.vic.gov.au the main actress for the film and community member View all stories View more contacts The Facebook feed is contained within an iframe and as such is not available via keyboard access. 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Tweets by CFA_Updates We are currently experiencing issues with our embedded Twitter feed We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land Copyright 2025 CFA (Country Fire Authority) This is probably not the page you’re looking for An e-scooter rider has died after a collision with a car in Springvale on Monday 28 October The vehicles crashed at the intersection of Westall Road and Thames Avenue about 2.40pm stopped at the scene and has spoken to police Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol officers are investigating Any dashcam/CCTV footage or information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au Police are investigating a road-rage assault in which a driver was knocked to ground and kicked at the corner of Westall Road and Osborne Avenue Springvale on Friday 23 August A driver of a white BMW sedan in the left turn lane of Osborne Road allegedly assaulted the occupant of a green Suzuki Jimny in the adjoining lane about 6.30pm Police are seeking witnesses and dash cam footage of the incident Any information to Springvale Police on 8558 8600 or to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au Hallam Kalora Park and Springvale South will effectively play for second place and the double chance in round 13 when the two face off at Hallam Recreation Reserve in two-day Dandenong District Cricket Association’s Turf 1 cricket Both are tied on 52 points with two matches remaining with the Hawks in a rich vein of form since returning from the Christmas break Last week’s outright victory over Dandenong West has seen them take 45 wickets in three contests as the quartet of Will Whyte Lauchlan Gregson and Lee Brown round into form at the perfect time of year They have combined for 43 of the 45 wickets since Christmas and will enter the upcoming contest confident of defeating the Bloods after knocking them off by 61 runs earlier in the year Hammond was the hero on that occasion for the Hawks after taking 4/10 in a wicked nine-over spell Springvale South’s batting line up is not carrying the same prestige as previous seasons with the Bloods relying heavily on allrounders and bowlers to cover the batting shortfalls Jordan Wyatt is without a half-century since round eight while he and the Forsyth brothers are the only three with more than 300 runs to their name for the summer The Bloods have Buckley Ridges in the final round of the year a far tougher task than Hallam Kalora Park and puts extra importance on the contest for Springvale South the Hawks had not defeated Springvale South since their premiership winning year of 2020/21 having now shed the proverbial monkey off the back three sides will keep a keen eye on Buckley Ridges’ clash with North Dandenong in the context of relegation North Dandenong is last on the ladder and could take an even stronger hit to its percentage in this match up already the lowest of the four sides intertwined on 24 points it will mean the winner of Dandenong West and Narre South is likely safe for another season Whichever side is victorious will move six points clear of the drop zone and barring a stunning turn of events in a one-day clash in round 14 will presumably be safe from being caught on percentage in the final round the Battle of the Creek sees Berwick and Beaconsfield lock horns once more If it’s anything like their round six encounter when Beaconsfield prevailed by one wicket with four balls to spare fans will be in for a treat at Arch Brown Reserve Tips: HALLAM KALORA PARK v SPRINGVALE SOUTH A research report on Springvale has hailed the vibrant and bustling suburb as a champion of social cohesion the “microcosm of Australia” has become a notion-buster that diverse communities lack social cohesion according to the research report by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute ‘Strong Communities Don’t Just Happen’ by authors Trish Prentice and Andrew Markus reflects on Springvale’s response to a very challenging time during the pandemic It explores how the pandemic was overcome all whilst maintaining community harmony and bonds Lead author Trish Prentice said such times often lead communities to reveal their fundamentals we’re interested in the idea of social cohesion The idea that the diversity is a crumbling box – if people are different how can they be socially cohesive – I didn’t find that at all in this case “Springvale is a place for us to explore what social cohesion looks like in a diverse environment.” A previous project on Springvale by the Scanlon Foundation prompted this latest report to visit and “document more carefully” how the community has developed and changed its social infrastructure The report was a time capsule that delved into Australia’s post World War II immigration drive bringing in young and skilled workers which prompted to shape the country and Springvale’s demographic Once a “sleepy and semi-rural” area the population accelerated from 25,526 in 1961 to 89,478 by 1991 as it grew into the current thriving diverse community filled with bustling streets and flavourful food attraction Richard Lim OAM has been a long advocate and one of the crucial figures who’ve helped transform the Springvale Activity Centre He remembers the pandemic as a “very tough” phase for the community many of whom struggle with an English-language barrier I think we did very well in vaccinations rates compared to other suburbs in Greater Dandenong because residents were well informed residents would approach me for information and questions around Covid and vaccinations.” He went on to great lengths on Facebook live sessions to educate his community about Covid addressed rumours on vaccination side effects and health risks information in their own Khmer language Together with Greater Dandenong Council he helped to facilitate vaccination roll outs and details such as the location to attract as many residents as possible While the pandemic has brought forth Springvale’s uniqueness and institutions in building the suburb’s social bond while closing the gap between differences “The pandemic revealed that to us as researchers because when communities are under stress they reveal the crack Springvale didn’t crack and we didn’t see tensions as we did with other communities “Individuals from Greater Dandenong and nearby saw Springvale was different and I think that was very interesting,” Ms Prentice said The acceleration in migration saw the birth of many community organisations to help the migrant community with practical assistance and information particularly the Enterprise Migrant Hostel in Springvale which provided accommodation and settlement services to more than 30,000 migrants and refugees from all over the world between 1970 and 1992 It acknowledged the pivotal roles the likes of Merle Mitchell AM had in shaping the suburb from early on through the establishment of local facilities such as the Springvale Neighbourhood House the Family Mediation Centre and Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau (SCAAB) now South East Community Links (SECL) ‘Strong Communities Don’t Just Happen’ is quoted from Merle Mitchell’s interview with the Star Journal in 2021 “The point I want to make is some of the foundation built over time was very important during the pandemic also the relationships within service providers to community and local council were very important to build that social cohesion,” Ms Prentice said Mr Lim is one epitome of the resilient culturally-diverse communities that make up not just his Springvale Ward but also the Greater Dandenong the most culturally diverse community in Australia with residents from 157 countries As part of the research phase of the report he was one of the many interviewed by the team that makes up the report He fled Cambodia‘s Pol Pot regime in the 1980s worked relentlessly to achieve an education and now runs a successful pharmacy in Springvale that supports multicultural organisations throughout the South East and Monash Health Children’s Hospital Springvale is up for further transformation as part of the council’s Springvale Revitalisation Action Plan consisting of short and long-term plans for investments and development A draft of the SRAP was passed at the council meeting on 13 May The plan’s long-term vision spans more than 10 years until fruition with shorter-term plans within 1-5 years.