Stadium plan a highlight of Dandenong A-League bid

A $170 MILLION soccer stadium in the heart of Dandenong is at the centre of plans to transform Melbourne’s southeast.

The 15,000-seat ground would be home to the A-League’s 11th franchise, a W-League team and host concerts, festivals, NRL and rugby union matches.

Businessman and Dandenong local Gerry Ryan said the concept would revitalise the region through the creation of jobs and commercial investment.

“This is a game-changer for the city of Dandenong and for the southeast of Victoria,” Ryan said.

The site of the stadium — just 100m from the Dandenong train station — will be gifted by the Greater Dandenong Council.

The council and a “Team 11” steering committee are work- ing with Development Victoria on potential concepts but State Government funds are yet to be committed.

A significant revitalisation project in Melbourne’s southeast could be a critical vote winner in November’s state election, with nine marginal seats in the region, seven held by Labor and two by the Coalition. The southeast bid team is competing against a Geelong region bid, South Melbourne Football Club, a third group from Melbourne’s western suburbs and eight interstate consortiums for two new A-League licences.

A decision will be made by Football Federation Australia in October. Construction of “Dandenong Stadium” — designed by Cox Architecture, creator of Melbourne’s AAMI Park — is predicated on Team 11 being accepted into the A-League.

Its initial capacity is slated at 12,000-15,000 with the ability to expand to 20,000. The City of Casey and Cardinia Shire councils have also backed the plan.

Socceroos legend and Team 11 ambassador Vince Grella said the stadium would boast an intimacy to rival all others.