Dandenong - Journey to cultural diversity
Proudly sponsored by 
Wednesday 25 October 2017 10:00am - 4:30pm
Field trip departs/returns Crown Promenade and includes catering and transport
Early bird $35 | Full Price $45
(numbers strictly limited and available to full conference delegates only)
Dandenong Civic Centre & Harmony Square 
Dandenong is the regional capital for the south-east and civic heart of Greater Dandenong. A cosmopolitan metropolitan activity centre, with benchmark urban design and award winning public spaces it has undergone a significant transformation in the last decade since the State Government’s $290 million funded Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative. Experience the vibrant new Civic Centre, library and Public Square.
Dandenong Award winning Lonsdale Street Boulevard
The vision for a renewed Lonsdale Street was to make it one of Melbourne’s great boulevards, as a green and pedestrian-friendly main street with the retail and business vibrancy of a capital city. The transformed street acts as a gateway to central Dandenong, uniting the city centre's commercial and retail precincts. Lonsdale Street now offers a pedestrian oriented environment with a mix of spaces to meet and socialise including cafés, restaurants, open spaces, gardens, civic spaces and community facilities.
After exploring city centre highlights hear about the planned redevelopment of the Masonic Hall into a state of the art community gallery. Dandenong Masonic Hall, which was built in 1923 and used by the Freemasons until 1991, is a powerful visual landmark in what is a popular pedestrian thoroughfare. The proposal to develop the site as a new art gallery will add vibrancy to Halpin Way, have a striking and unique visual art gallery that connects to the streetscape through a contemporary architectural response that is sympathetic to the heritage character of the building.
Dandenong Afghan Bazaar Cultural Precinct 
Dandenong is renowned for its amazing global food scene, is home to Victoria’s second oldest and largest market, and cultural precincts that highlight the fusion of food. Dandenong’s much loved and highly acclaimed Afghan Bazaar has undergone a multi-million dollar streetscape enhancement informed by an exemplar pre-design community visioning process. After a short walk through the newly upgraded Afghan Bazaar, experience a traditional Afghan banquet lunch on the fringe of the multi award winning precinct.
Noble Park Activity Centre
Noble Park Level Crossing Removal Project Elevated Rail Viewing Platform – Noble Park is poised for improved connectivity, integrated green space and a new railway station resulting from the Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal initiative. Delegates will visit the site of the level crossing removal project and experience it from the elevated rail viewing platform. Hear about Council’s collaboration with the Level Crossing Removal Authority to leverage future investment and build on pedestrian connections within the centre to enhance its village feel.
Springvale Road Boulevard and Laneway Revitalisation Project
Springvale is home to one of Melbourne’s largest and most established south East Asian cultural precinct influenced by settlement of people from the Commonwealth Government’s ‘Enterprise’ Migrant Hostel in the 1970s and 80s. Its strong Vietnamese & Cambodian influence gives it a unique Asian food and retail offer. Weave through laneways and bustling arcades, and be captivated by the affordable and unique produce. Delegates will hear about the extensive community engagement processes that have provided a design framework for the multimillion dollar streetscape upgrade of Springvale Road and enhancement of key pedestrian laneways.
Springvale Mix Use Development 
Delegates will visit Multicultural Place, Springvale’s only public square and see in reality the leadership taken by Council to develop it as part of a public private partnership. The site combines a 350 space public car park, much needed public square, residential living and retail edge within the heart of Springvale. Reflecting the Asian influence, street furniture and public infrastructure is culturally themed.
Springvale Placemaking Program
Springvale is renowned for its bustling commercial trade, central public square, festivals, public art, free public Wi-Fi and iconic cultural gateways. The undergrounding of Springvale Station has been a catalyst for investment in the centre. See how various placemaking projects are celebrating local narratives and adding to the transformation of the activity centre.
