South East Community Links (SECL) has asked the City of Greater Dandenong to review development opportunities at Osborne Avenue since 2014.
We have talked to the council about the extensive work SECL has done to assist in creating not only a functional space but to elevate the project to national prominence for its innovation and impact around social and community ‘outcomes’. We re-commit to supporting council through a robust process that makes sure any development benefits the community over the long-term.
To do this we believe the project must do three things:
- Unlock the Osborne Ave site to advance the needs of the community in providing social housing and other targeted services;
- Provide new premises and a sustainable future for each of the four co-tenants (SECL, Springvale-Monash Legal Service, Springvale Learning & Activities Centre & Springvale Neighbourhood House) on the site so they can grow and expand their range of services with long term secure low cost office space, to meet the emerging needs of the Greater Dandenong community;
- Use an ‘outcomes-based infrastructure’ approach to defining and unlocking the value of the site to make sure that services provided there make a real and measurable difference to people’s lives over the long-term.
The site was acquired by the then Springvale Council in 1969 to be used specifically for public purposes. An outcomes-based redevelopment of the site would build on the excellent community work that has been delivered from the site over the past 50 years. In addition, it can help Council achieve some of its key goals, including providing greater social housing. In the wake of the current pandemic such a project could also provide local economic and employment benefits.