Tuesday, 22 July, 2025
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Six lanes of danger Sharon Harris, pictured, takes a perilous journey across Dandenong-Frankston Road to visit a popular shopping precinct in Dandenong South. The centre has no footpath access to link to a nearby pedestrian crossing, forcing Ms Harris to take alternative measures. More on the story, turn to page 6 (Sahar Foladi: 490274)
Hub revival hopes A proposal for an education centre is hoped to revive a derelict arcade in the heart of Dandenong. According to forlorn traders, the Hub Arcade has been long-blighted by rough sleeping, drug taking and looting. Real estate agent Vincent Golf says some of these issues could be allayed with plans for a culinary education centre for people with special needs based at the Hub’s food court. “It’s a beautiful thing for young kids and young
adults with disabilities,” the First National Hall and Partners agent says. However, he says homelessness in the area is not getting any better. “The homeless people like to be in dark places where there’s no other people around and that’s the Hub at the moment – it’s dark. “If there’s more activity in the Hub during the day it’s less likely the homeless people will be there.”
The hub’s security guards patrol the area from 2pm to 6pm. One of the guards, Wajid Anjum, says he’s being targeted by those causing issues at the hub for just doing his job. “It’s a dangerous area here, every day is terrible. “When I try to stop these people, they fight with me. Last week I was kicked by a woman.” Mike has been sleeping rough since last year.
“We don’t break into offices, we just find somewhere to sleep,” Mike says. There are 45 rough sleepers in City of Greater Dandenong according to the Dandenong Zero website, a project partnering Greater Dandenong Council and Launch Housing since 2022. The educational idea has won support from shop owner Stephen Rodgers and Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti. More on the story, turn to page 2
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