Council has successfully advocated the state and federal governments for a number of key changes and funding for community projects.
Afghan Bazaar Streetscape Development
Successfully obtained a $400,000 grant from the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship.
Abbotts Road/Remington Drive grade separation project
Successfully advocated for a grade separation at Abbotts Road and Remington Drive, Dandenong South as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project.
CCTV
Successfully obtained a $400,000 grant from the Minister for Justice for CCTV in central Dandenong.
Drum Theatre
Successfully obtained $5 million in funding for the development of the state of the art performing arts venue.
Dandenong Civic Centre
Successfully obtained $7.25 million in funding for the development of the Dandenong Civic Centre and Harmony Square.
Fire Services Levy
Successfully lobbied for the removal of the commercial fire services levy on residential flats and units.
Level crossing removals
Successfully lobbied the Victorian Government to remove level crossings at Corrigan Road, Chandler Road, Heatherton Road, Abbotts Road and the South Gippsland Highway.
Little India Precinct
Successfully advocated for Dandenong's Little India precinct to be recognised as Victoria's Indian Cultural Precinct.
Noble Park Aquatic Centre
Successfully obtained $8.87 million in funding for the redevelopment of the Noble Park Aquatic Centre.
Princes Highway/Robinson Street signalisation
Successfully obtained $1.7 million in funding from VicRoads to improve existing signalisation at this dangerous intersection in central Dandenong.
Revitalising Central Dandenong project
Secured $290 million for the Revitalisation of Central Dandenong through the Victorian Government.
Springvale grade separation and lift for disability access
Successfully lobbied the Victorian Government for a grade separation at Springvale Road and Springvale Train Station with the inclusion of a lift for disability access at the station.
Tatterson Park Pavilion development
Successfully obtained State funding of $4 million and Federal funding of $650,000 for construction of a multi-use sports pavilion to complement existing sportsgrounds.
Menzies Avenue in Dandenong North
Due to concerns by residents regarding pedestrian safety on Menzies Avenue near the shops, it was resolved that Council would advocate for a 40 km/hr speed limit from O'Malley Crescent to Hughes Crescent.
Afghanistan Community
On 27 September 2021 Council endorsed a notice of motion in support of a range of advocacy measures for the Afghanistan community. These included advocacy for the evacuation of people at risk in Afghanistan, increasing aid, and offering additional resettlement places, plus others.
African Community
On 12 February 2018 Council endorsed a notice of motion in support of the Greater Dandenong African Community. This included recognition that residents of African background are valued and respected; encouraging others to refrain from language that leads to fear and division; to promote participation in advisory committees; writing to state and federal MPs about this position and issuing a media release.
Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment
Council opposed changes in the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment, in particular the changes to residency requirements and the English language test. See council meeting minutes from 10 July 2017 for details.
Business manufacturing and the auto industry
Funding for further pilot programs to assist 'financially distressed' companies facing closure as a result of the auto industry demise.
Chandler Road
Council worked with VicRoads in order to identify a solution and develop plans for the intersection of Chandler and Cheltenham roads. There was a number of concerns associated with the area including safety, congestion, road maintenance and dust.
Chapel Road Intersection
Council sought a review of the intersection of Chapel Road and the Dandenong Bypass, including light signals and the possibility of red light and speed cameras.
Charitable Purpose Bill
On 12 February 2018, Council publicly renewed its commitment as a community who welcomes all. In response to the Victorian Parliament's Charitable Purpose Bill 2017, Council wrote letters to parliamentary members opposing the proposed changes to the Act. These changes would exclude the advancement of religion as a charitable purpose.
Climate Emergency
On Tuesday 28 January 2020, Council voted unanimously on a Notice of Motion to declare a 'Climate and Ecological Emergency'. This includes advocacy to State and Federal Governments to also declare a climate emergency and take action to mitigate.
Dandenong Bypass Sound Barrier
Council has written to the State Government regarding the need for a sound barrier for residents between Chandler and Perry roads, Keysborough and is supporting the Keysborough South Action Group's advocacy on this issue.
Dandenong South Inland Port
Council supported the seeking of funding for this project which will connect to the Port of Melbourne, reducing travelling distances, fuel use, carbon emissions and creating local jobs.
Drug and Alcohol Misuse
Council is focussed on harm minimisation techniques and seeks collaboration across all levels of government to identify, monitor and manage alcohol related harms; and seeks funding for initiatives to address the impacts of alcohol.
Education and employment - improving outcomes for young people
The need to address opportunities for young people in CGD, via improved pathways, new local jobs, VET funding, and social enterprise initiatives.
Emerson School Crossing
Over the last decade Council, Victoria Police and the Emerson School community have been lobbying the State Government to install a school crossing on Heatherton Road in Dandenong. The risk taking behaviour of students attempting to cross between the school's two campuses has now reached a critical level and urgent action is required to address this serious community safety issue.
Family violence
On 22 February 2021 the State Minster for Prevention of Family Violence, announced that the Southern Melbourne Orange Door will be based in Dandenong. As part of a State-wide network of service hubs, the Southern Melbourne Orange Door includes specialist workers in the fields of family violence, child and family support, Aboriginal services, and men’s behavior change, to provide crisis assistance, safety planning, counselling and other services to residents. This network now provides residents in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia with critical family violence support services under the one roof, and will further support existing Family Support Services already delivered by Council.
Increased police resources
Council has called on the State Government to provide increased police resources to the City of Greater Dandenong Police Service Area to help combat increasing crime rates, including resources to address the rising problems of drug crime, addiction and access to rehabilitation beds for ice addicts.
I Love Kinder Campaign
The City of Greater Dandenong has signed on to the I Love Kinder Campaign. The campaign is calling on the Australian Government to commit to recurrent kindergarten funding. As it stands the Australian Government has only committed to providing five hours of a week of four-year-old kindergarten for every child until the end of 2019. The Victorian Government currently funds an additional 10 hours a week. The I Love Kinder campaign is supported by the Municipal Association of Victoria and a number of other Council's across Victoria are part of the campaign. Council also committed to advocating for the restoration of the National Quality Agenda National Partnership Agreement.
International Airport
Council wrote to both state and federal members in support of a third international airport being situated in Melbourne's south east, and requesting it be given consideration as a priority project.
Internet and Mobile Telecommunications Issues
At the 12 September 2016 meeting Council resolved to advocate for improved internet choice and performance as well as mobile reception, particularly in the new estates within Dandenong and Keysborough. Council sought support from local members of Parliament, relevant telecommunications authorities and providers asking for support to improve internet choice and performance.
Landfill Levy Funding Allocation
Greater Dandenong Council supported the Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum actions to ensure the State Government uses funds from the Municipal and Industrial Landfill levy for the introduction of innovative and sustainable waste management solutions, as was its original purpose.
Lyndhurst Landfill
For many years Council has been advocating for the earliest possible closure of the Lyndhurst Landfill.
Making Rent Fair Campaign
In June 2017 Council resolved to support the State Government's 'Making Rent Fair' campaign through a letter to the Minister for Consumer Affairs and a media release.
Maralinga Primary School
Council asked the State Government to retain the site of the former Maralinga Primary School for future education needs in the area in the absence of any clear strategic intentions for the site.
Maternal and Child Health Services
Council advocated to the State Government outlining the increasing complexity and demand for MCH services across the city and sought their action.
Public transport
Ongoing improvements throughout Greater Dandenong, in particular increased bus services to Keysborough South and Dandenong South's industrial area.
Raise the Rate Campaign
Managed by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), the goal of the Raise the Rate campaign was for the Federal Government to immediately lift the single rate of Newstart, Youth Allowance and other related payments by at least $75 per week, and index allowances to wages. Currently, these payments are too low to help people get through tough times and into suitable employment. The rate of Newstart has not been increased for 25 years, while the cost of living, especially housing, has gone through the roof.
Rubbish dumping
Council sought a statewide approach to tackling this issue through a media advertising campaign; establishment of local transfer stations; and introducing harsher penalties to deter rubbish dumping.
Soft Plastics Pollution
Council has committed to develop a policy and guidelines on the use of single-use plastic bags, straws, balloons and other soft plastic packaging with the aim of reducing soft plastics pollution.
Springvale Station North-East Quadrant
Council advocated to State and Federal governments seeking funding to address current and expected future traffic issues in the Springvale Railway Station north-east quadrant.
Racial Discrimination Act
Violent extremism, youth radicalization and racism jeopardise community harmony and social cohesion. The Greater Dandenong Mayor wrote to all local Federal MPs and the Parliamentary enquiry to advise them of Council's position with regard to acknowledgement of the importance of protections afforded by the Australian Racial Discrimination Act.
Stud Road Pedestrian Crossing
On 23 July 2018, Councillors resolved to advocate for a safe pedestrian crossing across Stud Road near the Dandenong Stadium by writing to the relevant Minister and local members of Parliament. In 2024, the Allan Labor Government implemented a speed reduction to 60km/h along Stud Road between Cheam Street and Heatherton Road with new traffic lights and safer pedestrian crossings on Stud Road installed in 2025. This project is being delivered thanks to $12.6 million joint investment by the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments. Read more here.
Team 11
The Cities of Greater Dandenong, Casey and the Shire of Cardinia have taken a lead in harnessing the interest in the south east of Melbourne for an A-League / W-League football (soccer) team.
Keysborough South Prep-12/Secondary School
Council advocated for a secondary school in the vicinity of the new estates of Keysborough South that would serve residents in that area and the nearby suburbs in Greater Dandenong and the City of Kingston. We wrote to the Minister for Education and the State MP for Keysborough and other local lower house and upper house members of State Parliament and the local Federal member.
