Greater Dandenong throws up its hand to host the SBS head office

The location of SBS’s headquarters is set to be reviewed — and one particularly diverse municipality says it would make the perfect home.

SBS food star Adam Liaw would report in to Dandenong head office if the municipality has its way. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt.

Australia’s most culturally diverse municipality, Greater Dandenong, has thrown up its hand to be considered for the new home of SBS.

But it has some competition, with Monash claiming it is also “perfectly placed” to host the public broadcaster.

The Albanese government committed to a feasibility study into the possible relocation of SBS’s Sydney-based headquarters and studios to Western Sydney during last year’s federal election.

But the decision to overlook Melbourne’s rich multicultural precincts has raised some eyebrows.

SBS host Marc Fennell

City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Eden Foster said the council would welcome SBS being based in its area, should that be an option.

“The City of Greater Dandenong is the most culturally diverse in Australia,” she said.

“With residents from more than 154 different birthplaces, and 63 per cent of our residents born overseas, our cultural diversity is well considered our strength and what makes our community so preciously unique.”

Ms Foster said residents spoke more than 130 different languages and followed more than 80 faiths, making the city “truly global”.

Greater Dandenong has residents from 154 different birthplaces.

She said it had the infrastructure and assets to grow and support development and was “definitely open for business opportunities.

“We are also proudly a Refugee Welcome Zone,” she said.

“We value the celebration of community harmony and respect for all, and would be a perfect location for the national broadcaster.”

Down the road, Monash Mayor Tina Samardzija said SBS was an Australian institution that played a crucial role in the lives of its multicultural communities.

“With over 50 per cent of our residents born overseas, and a thriving technology precinct in Clayton – Monash is perfectly placed to be the new home for the SBS,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said SBS had offices and studios located in Melbourne at Federation Square, and also undertook significant production and engagement activities throughout Victoria.

“SBS has both operational and editorial independence and the location of the SBS (headquarters) is a matter for their board,” she said.