New Dandenong Stadium back on the agenda

A 15,000-capacity rectangular stadium in Dandenong first proposed in 2018, is back on the table with the state government joining a renewed push for the major venue.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today announced the Government is contributing $100,000 towards a feasibility review and the development of a business case, to be undertaken by Deloitte Australia.

A-League champions Melbourne City FC will be involved, opening up the potential of playing future home games at the proposed stadium. The club is currently relocating its training and administration base to Casey Fields, with the construction of the new Etihad City Football Academy in Melbourne’s south-east region.

The stadium was first proposed in April 2018, along with the ‘Team 11’ A-League expansion bid, that ultimately lost out to Western United. The successful bidding team promised a new stadium at Tarneit, however after two seasons, construction is still yet to commence.

To be located less than 100m walk from one of Victoria’s busiest train and bus stations and within five kilometres of the Monash Freeway and EastLink, the Dandenong Stadium was originally costed at $170 million, but new scoping studies have found it could be built for about $100 million.

The concepts were designed by Cox Architecture – designers of Melbourne’s AAMI Park – with capacity initially slated in the range of 12,000-15,000, and the ability to expand to 20,000 in the future.

It’s proposed the Dandenong Sports and Events Centre would host football and rugby, as well as festivals and concerts, while also providing facilities for education, training, community outreach programs and conferences.

The City of Greater Dandenong will lead the project and match the state government’s contribution. The study, to be completed later this year, will identify the demand for a sports and events centre in Dandenong, the scope and costs of potential developments, and ownership and management options.

Dandenong mayor Angela Long said the venue would be a mecca for almost two million people in the region, which has more than 100 soccer clubs and 22,000 registered players.

“A major sports and events centre in southeast Melbourne would be a big winner on sporting and community fronts – we look forward to supporting Deloitte in its vital work,’’ she said.

Greater south-east Melbourne has more than 100 soccer clubs and more than 22,000 registered players – and a record of producing elite talent such as current Matilda Steph Catley and former Socceroo Vince Grella. The region also has a growing number of rugby union and rugby league teams.

The federal government would also be called upon for funding if the stadium deal was approved.