Decision on $170 million stadium expected soon

A decision on whether to build a new 15,000 seat stadium in Dandenong is expected to be made within days. It could dictate whether a third A-League team comes to Melbourne.

An artist's impression of the proposed Dandenong Stadium.

A decision on whether a new 15,000-seat stadium is built in Melbourne’s southeast is expected within days.

The Andrews Government will meet Football Federation Australia this week to discuss whether the $170 million stadium would be home to Melbourne’s third A-League team.

Government and FFA executives will discuss the merits of the venue, which would also become an entertainment hub for the fast-growing region.

$170M SOCCER STADIUM PROPOSED IN DANDENONG

LOCAL SOCCER PLAYERS BACK STADIUM DESIGN

CITY’S GREEN PLAN TO REVIVE CBD BLOCK

A decision on whether the new venue is built next to Dandenong station could hinge on how the FFA awards one of two new A-League licences for 2019.

What the new Dandenong stadium would look like.

Government spokesman Ben McNair would not say whether it had decided to help build the stadium.

“Victoria is the sporting capital of Australia and already home to the best two clubs in the A-league,’’ he said.

“We’ll continue to work with FFA on their plans to expand the competition.”

If FFA approves a bid for a south east club currently known as Team 11 to play in the national league, the Government is expected to bankroll construction of the development.

An economic study estimates it would generate $114 million of annual economic output in southeast Melbourne, create 444 ongoing jobs and attract 465,000 people each year.

Bids for a licence to join Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in the A-League have also been submitted by South Melbourne and a self-funded Western Melbourne bid team.

The location of the proposed Dandenong Stadium.

But Melbourne musicians have backed the Team 11 bid, saying the state was crying out for a venue that size that could keep the city’s music scene pumping.

Stage and screen star Rob “Millsy” Mills said he was a fervent supporter of the idea.

“The biggest growth area in the state is the southeast so why not put a stadium there — not just for sport, but for the arts and big concerts as well?’’ he said

Mills, who grew up 10 minutes from the proposed site in Wheelers Hill, said concert promoters would send major acts to the stadium.

“Think of my old mate Michael Paynter, what about the Living End, CDB, Vanessa Amorosi, how about John Farnham, Jet? They all grew up in the southeast,’’ he said.

“Why not do a little musicians from the southeastern Melbourne concert for opening night?”

Rob Mills is backing the Dandenong stadium. Photo: Lachie Millard

Singer songwriter Paynter said: “I and the countless other talented musicians that come from this part of the world spent our lives driving up and down the freeways to see bands,’’ he said.

“The thought of having a world class place to perform, and to see our heroes perform, that is within 20 mins of our doorstep is a really exciting one.’’

A decision on the successful bid is likely next week, following an FFA board meeting.

The stadium deal is crucial to Team 11’s bid and a decision on whether the venue is built on land gifted by Greater Dandenong Council could be made even earlier.

[e-mail]

@rolfep