Plans for mega Dandenong stadium considered

A new state of the art stadium may soon help Dandenong become a mecca for sports and entertainment, but the plans face a big hurdle.

A major new sports and entertainment stadium could be built in Dandenong

A MAJOR new sports and entertainment stadium could be built in Dandenong with the state government joining a renewed push for a state-of-the-art facility.

The government will on Friday announce funding and a feasibility review for a 15,000 seat multipurpose venue for Melbourne’s fast growing south east.

Deloitte Australia will conduct the review and business case for a rectangular stadium estimated to cost up to $175 million.

The centre would include a soccer and rugby field, festivals and concert space and facilities for education, training, community outreach programs and conferences.

A-League champions Melbourne City FC, which has recently relocated its training and administration operations to Casey Fields, will also be involved.

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.

The review will identify the demand for a sports and events centre in Dandenong, the scope and costs of potential developments, and ownership and management options.

The centre would include a soccer field.

Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said the government would initially match Dandenong Council’s $100,000 for the study into the stadium’s viability.

“The development of a feasibility review and business case is an important step for the proposed Dandenong rectangular stadium,’’ he said.

“All stakeholders need to have full information at their disposal and that’s what this work will provide.”

Plans for a venue on council owned land next to Dandenong Station were mooted before the 2018 state election, as part of a push for a new A-League team in the area.

The stadium plan failed was shelved when the licence was instead granted to Western Melbourne.

But, with state and federal elections looming next year, the stadium will now be put back on the table.

Previous plans for a Dandenong stadium costed its construction at about $175 million but new scoping studies have found it could be built for about $100 million, with stages added in the future.

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

The feasibility study is expected to be finished this year.