Auditor-General's damning report into Dandenong revitalisation - 2

Posted to Dandenong Leader (9/5/2011) on 14/5/2011 at 4:01 PM
Commenting on "Auditor-General's damning report into Dandenong revitalisation"
http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/auditor-generals-damning-report-into-dandenong-revitalisation/

You can read Part 1 of this comment by clicking here

Dandenong CBD needs more than just revitalisation of the streetscape; it also needs revitalisation of the shops and display windows, and mix of businesses.

Although the ultimate outcome is a plus for the traders concerned, but initial outlay could burn a big hole in their cash registers. There is a distinct disadvantage about the main road, alias National Highway 1 - it is too wide. It does not provide a right ambience for inviting shopping experience. In addition, all the shops in the CBD are spread over a very big area, and on a rainy or windy day, shoppers are likely to stay in the warm and cosy Dandenong Plaza rather than subjecting themselves to the terror of the nature.

Dandenong was once the hub of many big factories, and centre of employment. The wind of fortune has changed. Is the demographics of Dandenong ready for upmarket shopping yet? It is great to be visionary, and hopefully the project pays dividend; otherwise, the ratepayers' and taxpayers' money will be spent on creating a white elephant.

FEDERAL BUDGET: Seniors miss out

Posted to Waverley Leader (11/5/2011) on 15/5/2011 at 8:55 PM
Commenting on “FEDERAL BUDGET: Seniors miss out”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/federal-budget-seniors-miss-out/

Adrian Jackson, not everyone has the opportunity to earn a good income. Many families still face the hands-to-mouth situations now. True, there are dole bludgers, gamblers, and people "breeding" many children as you crudely put it, but then these are not the majority. Have you been divorced? Many couples are forced to sell their houses during the split up, because neither has enough to buy out the other half.

If you think owning a rental property is plain sailing, you can be very wrong. If one does not have additional income high enough to justify negative gearing, they are just asking for trouble. Rental property return is not as good as many expect, and for seniors, they are not in a position to wait for capital growth.

Service apartments are a better option for income flow then owning an apartment which costs an arm and a leg for many fees and charges. During tough time, don't expect 100% occupancy rate for the rental property or equivalent to 12-month rental income each year; sometimes the bond money is not sufficient to cover damage to the property and unpaid rent.

Health, education big losers in Budget

Posted to Melbourne Leader (9/5/2011) on 13/5/2011 at 12:39 PM (Not published)
Commenting on “Health, education big losers in Budget, says Pike”
http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/health-education-big-losers-in-budget-says-pike/

I really wonder all those successful early pioneers, scholars and business people asked for money from the Government for school reconstruction, improved community health centre or alike.

People of today lack the concept of self-sufficiency, creativity, sense of pride and dignity. People in power should be caned for wasting public money, making false promises, dishonesty, irresponsibility and lack of integrity.

Are people spending too much time in whinging and forgetting about doing constructive and productive work, like teaching the students the basic literacy and numeracy skills in order to build a good education foundation; keeping an eye on the children so that they become more responsible in what are doing rather than waiting for the police to put them away; looking after their own health so that a narrow mirror will be good enough to reflect their image; communicating with the business people on how to grow their businesses instead of causing more misery to their lives and livelihood?

No classes at closed Wheelers Hill Primary

Posted to Waverley Leader (12/5/2011) on 13/5/2011 at 10:30 AM
Commenting on “No classes at closed Wheelers Hill Primary”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/wheelers-hill-primary-school/

Whether we like it or not, it's about time all school compound should be fenced up. The inside of many properties, including schools, may have installed with burglar alarm systems, and yet the surrounds are so inviting and so easily accessible that by the time an intruder gets inside the compound, a lot of damage could have be done.

Auditor-General's damning report into Dandenong revitalisation

Posted to Dandenong Leader (9/5/2011) on 13/5/2011 at 11:59 AM
Commenting on “Auditor-General's damning report into Dandenong revitalisation”
http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/auditor-generals-damning-report-into-dandenong-revitalisation/

Dandenong revitalisation is "pretty" on the surface but I cannot foresee improvement in the public perception about the City and shopping experience.

Success of a shopping arena depends on human psychology; the density of traffic and people flows instead of the actual numbers creates a sense of attractiveness. Put 100 people, shoppers or onlookers, in a narrow street and a wide one respectively, you will think that the narrow street is very busy, but not the wide one. Swanston Street in Melbourne City has been "revitalised" so many times, and buckets of money are wasted on so many grand plans.

I have witnessed the rise and fall of Dandenong, and the changing demographics. The new wing of the Dandenong market is clean but lacks the "warmth", pull-me-in excitement, and too quiet.

Comparing Dandenong with other more flourishing suburbs like Glen Waverley, Box Hill, Springvale, Richmond, the atmosphere is without doubt distinctly different. If Dandenong streets become more up-market, they must be complemented with quality shops which in turn require clients with deeper pockets.

You can read Part 2 of this comment by click here