Comeback city? Lessons from revitalising a diverse place like Dandenong
- Written by Hayley Henderson, Postdoctoral fellow, Australian National University
In the 1990s, central Dandenong in Melbourne’s southeast was in decline. But, over the past decade and a half, this trend has been halted and in some areas reversed. Our research has identified key elements in this revitalisation, including strong roles for both public sector and non-government participants.
Importantly, the approach has delivered new opportunities for the culturally diverse local community.
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At the time these efforts began, a shrinking manufacturing sector and poor urban planning decisions had drained vitality from the centre. New shopping malls and suburban estates enticed people to live and shop elsewhere. Public spaces were dilapidated. Many retail buildings were vacant.
Unsurprisingly, local population levels were stagnating. Affordable rents and a community with strong networks of support attracted some new residents, most from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. However, once settled, many people faced barriers to employment, training and adequate public facilities.
Who is behind the project?
The Victorian government and the City of Greater Dandenong were keen to reverse these trends. They wanted to reinstate the neighbourhood as Melbourne’s second-most-important urban centre. The state government funded the Revitalising Central Dandenong project from 2006.
Since then, and particularly since 2011, the process has also been propelled by local government action and the coordinated efforts of local leaders. They represent business, education, faith communities and social services. These interlinked activities across sectors have arguably been effective in kick-starting the project.
However, some important shortcomings have limited the potential for revitalisation. In particular, the benefits have not reached all of the community.
For example, many female migrants have not had access to suitable employment opportunities. Services are lacking for some marginalised community members, including asylum seekers.
Other concerns include persistent barriers to retail activation (including rising rents and parking costs), emergent threats of gentrification and a lack of major private investment in residential and office development.
Our research briefing explains our findings in detail, including some of these problems.
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Photo: Hayley Henderson, Author providedWhat are the key elements that work?
1. A commitment to redistributive policy
A significant one-off Victorian government investment of A$290 million was the cornerstone of the project, and it has been carefully designed. Experienced professionals appointed to the government development agency, then known as VicUrban, crafted the program.
The early focus was on catalyst projects and the removal of roadblocks to the considered development to follow. These actions included:
- special zoning
- transferring planning powers to the state government
- acquiring about 150 sites for reconfiguration and development.
Given the entrenched decline, revitalisation was unlikely to occur without significant public commitment.
Following the state government’s energetic program start, the local government has taken the reins since 2011. The council gave priority to revitalising works in the centre (see the table of major project spending below) and to covering gaps in the original strategy. This included a housing strategy in response to emerging gentrification.
Authors: Hayley Henderson, Postdoctoral fellow, Australian National University