The people of Greater Dandenong are proud and passionate about getting the best outcomes for our community.
As Councillors and Council officers, your passion drives our work, and we strive to deliver for you in a responsible, thoughtful way that considers our whole community.
Sometimes this means we have to make difficult choices to balance the diverse needs of our residents.
Unfortunately, achieving this balance has been particularly challenging in the case of the River Red Gum on Douglas Street in Noble Park.
Since our May 27 Council meeting, we’ve engaged with the developer and representatives from the Level Crossing Removal Project to explore options for retaining the tree while also retaining the planned affordable housing project that was approved by the Minister for Planning last year.
Given the position of the tree, the protection zone required to keep its roots and canopy healthy, would have seen a reduction in dwellings so great, that the housing project would no longer be viable.
This would be a very sad outcome for Greater Dandenong where one in five people live below the poverty line and affordable housing is desperately needed.
In 2021, The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 2,366 people in Greater Dandenong were homeless. This number represents 1.5 per cent of the municipal population - the highest proportion in the state and over four times the Victorian average.
In Noble Park specifically, 19 per cent of renting families live with severe financial hardship and 6998 people are living in poverty.
Instead, we have reached an agreement with the developer, whereby they remove the tree, and contribute a $155,000 offset payment to Council to be used for tree planting in Noble Park.
This will result in multiple trees being planted and provide environmental, amenity and urban heat island benefits to Noble Park.
We share the community’s disappointment that we’re losing the River Red Gum but as outlined in the Council resolution, we also acknowledge the importance of building affordable housing that balances with community amenity.
There are significant community benefits in providing affordable housing options in key locations like the Noble Park activity centre. This project also demonstrates our commitment providing housing diversity in our municipality, for those in need.
In early 2025, we’ll engage the community to help us identify the best locations for tree planting in Noble Park Activity Centre.
Mayor, Councillor Lana Formoso