Greater Dandenong City Council and Dandenong Market are seeking feedback on a 20-year vision for the future of one of the city’s most significant cultural and economic destinations.
Until Friday 10 April shoppers and the local business community can have their say on the draft Dandenong Market Precinct Plan in a way that works best for them.
Plan highlights include quality public spaces, new pedestrian links and transport solutions, plazas, mixed use developments, enhanced market operations and an expanded Pioneer Park.
Online consultation will be accompanied by targeted engagements with traders, shoppers and other stakeholders, who will be able to speak directly with officers at a series of meetings, pop-ups and drop-in sessions.
Translated materials will be available in a range of languages, including on Council’s Have Your Say page.
Greater Dandenong Mayor, Councillor Sophie Tan, said the community’s voice would be essential in shaping the next chapter of the Dandenong Market precinct’s evolution.
“Dandenong Market is the heart of our community – a place of culture, connection and commerce. The character of the Market remains central to the vision in the Plan.
“Foodies come from far and wide hunting for exotic ingredients and sticking around for bargains in the Bazaar and a snack at one of many fantastic outlets. Locals get fresh, health food at affordable prices – and we want to make sure all of this continues for generations to come.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to imagine what this precinct could be in the future, and we want our community to lead that conversation,” Cr Tan said.
The draft plan sets out a strategic blueprint to revitalise the wider Dandenong Market Precinct, ensuring it remains a vibrant, connected and welcoming place for generations to come.
It outlines long-term actions to address land use, urban design, economic investment opportunities, transportation, public spaces and community infrastructure.
The plan proposes a future market precinct that is easier to access, safer to move around, and better connected to the wider city centre. It focuses on:
- Creating high-quality public spaces including new pedestrian links, plazas, and an expanded Pioneer Park.
- Improving movement and access through enhanced walking and cycling connections, upgraded streetscapes and transport integration.
- Increased housing.
- Supporting investment and economic activity through improved built-form outcomes, mixed-use development and enhanced Market operations.
- Strengthening connections to the Revitalising Central Dandenong program and other major projects.
The draft plan has been developed through an intensive collaborative process involving Council, technical experts and key stakeholders, ensuring that the direction is locally grounded, place-specific and informed by best-practice design thinking.
Chair of the Dandenong Market Board, Donna McMaster said the plan sets out a great vision for the future of the Market, and the surrounding precinct.
“It draws on ideas from markets across Melbourne and around the world, and has a keen focus on maintaining the character of the Dandenong Market. At the same time, it sets out principles for future opportunities, around sustainability, fit-for-purpose facilities and better movement around and through the precinct.
“It looks at underutilised space and proposes how they might contribute to a more vibrant precinct, with improved amenity for the community. The Dandenong Market has evolved over its 159 years, and this Precinct Plan is an important step in setting a vision for the next generation.
“It’s not finalised though,” said Ms McMaster. “We’ve carried out some targeted stakeholder research, but now we really want to hear from traders, shoppers and visitors. What’s important to them, and where are our areas for improvement. What
will keep them coming back, and bringing their children and grandchildren to the Market?”
Your say
Council is encouraging participation from everyone who shops, works, visits or trades within the precinct – as well as the broader community. We’re taking feedback through:
- Pop-ups at the Dandenong Market on 7 and 10 March between 11am-1pm
- Drop-in sessions at Council’s Civic Centre on 13 March, 25 March and 2 April between 1-2pm; and
- Have Your Say Greater Dandenong Market Precinct Plan
Feedback will directly inform the final Precinct Plan before it is presented to Council for consideration later this year.
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Dandenong Market Precinct Plan Map -
Artist impression from Lonsdale Street/ Clow Street intersection showing tree planting, improved pedestrian amenity and activated buildings. -
Artist impression from Pioneer Park and Market interface showing high quality public spaces and activated buildings.
