Revitalising Noble Park

State Member of Parliament for South Eastern Metropolitan Region since April 2020, Lee was also elected to represent this electorate from 2010-2014. In the intervening years, Lee served as a Senior Adviser to the Hon. Gavin Jennings MP, Leader of the Government (Legislative Council), Special Minister of State, Minister for Priority Precincts and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

Lee lives in Noble Park and grew up and undertook his schooling in the Noble Park and Keysborough areas. He's been active and dedicated to his local community from a very young age - establishing, working with and mentoring various community groups, organisations and individuals.

Lee received the Order of Australia Medal in 2018 for service to the people and Parliament of Victoria and has been a Justice of the Peace since 1999.

Elected Mayor in 2023, Eden served as a Councillor Representative in the City of Greater Dandenong from 2020.
Eden grew up locally and still lives and volunteers in Noble Park.

She believes Noble Park is a great place to live but feels it’s time for a fresh approach, to help get the basics right, including rubbish removal, cleaning graffiti, repairing roads, parks and footpaths, and taking a new approach to services for the youth and seniors.

Eden is a new member of the Noble Park Suburban Revitalisation Board.

Jacqui joined the City of Greater Dandenong as CEO in December 2022. She is an energetic and visionary senior executive with a passion for positively influencing organisational leadership and corporate culture, to achieve enterprise-wide transformation and change. Jacqui has 20 years of experience at a senior executive level with not for profits, local government and the broader public sector, having been a CEO for 11 years.

Skilled in strategic planning, leadership development, transformation, mentoring and coaching and team building. Jacqui is passionate about working with diverse communities, and making a difference.  She is a strong business development professional with an MBA focused in International Business from RMIT University, and attended Columbia University to study Business Transformation.

Andrew is the CEO of the South East LLEN and Deputy Partnership Chair of the Southern Metropolitan Partnership. Andrew has worked in the Noble Park region for the last 12 years and has 30 years’ experience in the fields of youth, education and employment.

Roz Blades AM served the Greater Dandenong community as a Councillor for more than 25 years, having been elected in 1987 to the City of Springvale, and Mayor in 1991. Roz was re-elected to Greater Dandenong Council in 1997 before retiring in 2019.

Cr Roz Blades AM has been a resident of Noble Park since 1970 and raised her three sons in the area. Having migrated to Noble Park at the age of 20, Roz devoted her time to promoting a vibrant, welcoming and connected community. Roz has long been one of Noble Park’s best champions, promoting its diversity, multiculturalism and strength. Roz is now the President of the Noble Park Community Centre.

Claire Gregory first started working at Chisholm in 2016 after many years of teaching English to overseas students.

At Chisholm, Claire originally taught literacy and numeracy to early school leavers and mature age students before moving into the role of Education Manager in the English Language Studies program area. In particular supporting the delivery of the Adult Migrant English Program across southeast Melbourne.

Claire’s role has included working to support AMEP delivery at community centres across the southeast region, helping to coordinate a volunteer program in AMEP classes, and facilitating settlement focussed presentations and workshops by various community organisations and Local, State and Federal Government agencies.

Peter has more than 20 years of executive and board experience, including as CEO of South East Community Links (SECL) and previously as CEO of Good Shepherd Microfinance and General Manager, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Peter was past President (Chair) of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), having served on the Board from 2015 to 2022.

He has studied finances and strategy at Harvard Business School, Stanford Business School and Melbourne Business School and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Chris Pierson is the Senior Manager of AMES Australia, supporting program development and service delivery to people from migrant and refugee backgrounds settling in Victoria.

Chris has 30 years’ experience working in a range of roles in government and non-government organisations supporting enhanced settlement, education and employment pathways for new arrivals to Victoria.

Kenyatta J Dei Wal is the Project Coordinator for Community Support Group – Dandenong, Casey & Cardinia Shire. Kenyatta is a passionate African Australian community leader and staunch advocate for social justice & inclusion.

Kenyatta has worked in the area of youth work and youth empowerment, community engagement and employment sector in the City of Greater Dandenong for over 20 years.

• A community that has pride in its history, celebrates its diversity and is hopeful about its future
• A community where all people have access to quality education and meaningful employment opportunities to set them up for their future
• A connected community where everyone feels safe and welcome, and old and young have opportunities to interact
• A community that is equipped to meet the changing needs of its residents into the future

1. Create an environment in the centre that encourages both the growth of local business and attracts people to the area
2. Prioritise the safety, trust and sense of community of all of our residents
3. Focus our work, initiatives and investments to be inclusive and reflective of the many different people in our community and celebrate this diversity
4. Build a ‘green’ and environmentally sustainable Noble Park to the point that we are seen as a leader in this space
5. Focus on closing the ‘digital divide’ amongst our residents to ensure everyone is able to access the same opportunities

We will strive to engage young people in the design, implementation and ongoing delivery of initiatives that impact them.

We are also committed to working in strategic partnership with key organisations to drive changes that we cannot develop or implement on our own. More specifically, we will set out:

6. To advocate for relevant and ongoing support services for all residents, but with a particular focus on vulnerable women and families
7. To work with industry players, local business and community organisations to drive employment opportunities for Noble Park’s most vulnerable residents, particularly women

Community members have greater awareness of local businesses, what they offer and the quality of their offerings

Local businesses are able to thrive

Businesses are able to collaborate and agree on a set of shared priorities to take forward (e.g. through a Traders Group)

Businesses take greater ownership of their role in the community including:

• adapting their business models to be more inclusive and accessible
• focusing on driving social change e.g. through social enterprise

There are more core support services within Noble Park and families are able to access them

The centre provides a community ‘experience’ to its residents with a focus on providing inclusive services and leisure opportunities

There is an increased sense of community connectedness, especially with people from different backgrounds interacting (e.g. old & young; different cultural groups)

People feel physically safe in public spaces and have an improved perception of safety

Services and public spaces in Noble Park are culturally appropriate

Residents are proud of, and celebrate, the cultural diversity in their communities

All individuals feel accepted in the community and have a sense of belonging

Residents have greater access to essential digital services e.g. free Wi-Fi

Noble Park is a ‘digital village’ – e.g. leveraging data to learn about service usage; people’s movements; gaps in business

There are improved greenery and streetscapes

Renewable energy is increasingly leveraged to power more services, buildings etc.

Noble Park is a demonstration village – showcasing cutting-edge environmental initiatives e.g. community batteries; 100% renewable energies

Young people have a sense of ownership in their community and its direction

Young people are more involved in decision making about the services set up to support them

Young people feel valued in the community

Women can safely access the services they need

Women are supported to seek flexible employment opportunities

The project will revitalise Leonard Avenue through a streetscape upgrade that delivers on the communities’ aspirations to improve paving, lighting, greening and enhanced connections to the Noble Park station and Buckley’s Laneway carpark.

The work will enhance business activity, visitation and improve perceptions of Noble Park by rejuvenating the prominent and aged streetscape. Key outcomes will include improved pedestrian movement and safety, enhanced shopping and dining experiences and new opportunities for people to connect and relax.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $500,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong.

The project will deliver a vibrant and creative program of activations for the Noble Park activity centre, which may include and be influenced by the local arts and cultural community, learning and wellbeing and seasonal and celebratory events.

Activations will promote inclusiveness, being available to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The program will aid business resilience and sustainability through increased visitation and potential support for employment creation as well as community engagement and volunteering opportunities.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $60,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong.

This song writing and music program aims to engage with young people through music, including workshops, recording and performance, connecting like-minded individuals to develop a music-based program, activating the local community and encouraging youth participation.

The Song Writing Engagement enhances community well-being with young people and the broader community engaging in a positive and creative experience. The program will be delivered in locally and engaging local community members in opportunities such as mentoring, producing or recording and more.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $154,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with South East Community Links (SECL) and Mushroom Group.

The City of Greater Dandenong are developing a feasibility study for the creation of a library lounge at the Paddy O’Donoghue centre. The study will provide detail on the design, operational cost implications, probable project costs for building alternations and timeframes to deliver the space. An architect, structural engineer, site surveyor and an estimator will be engaged to produce the study.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $50,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong.

The City of Greater Dandenong have engaged an urban landscape designer and other contractors to undertake site and feature surveys, consult with local community members and develop detailed designs for new streetscapes.

The design work seeks to revitalise the street for local traders, including a refresh of footpath frontages on Leonard Avenue and Buckley Street.

The design’s completion will make the works shovel-ready. It will visually align the streetscape with recent works completed in Douglas and Ian streets.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $100,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong.

This project involves preliminary site preparation of the land abutting the Uniting Church at 2A Frank Street and its redevelopment into one of Noble Park's newest open public spaces. The redevelopment will support business activity and visitor attraction to Noble Park Activity Centre while building on the centre’s sense of community spirit and much-loved village character.

It will provide a much-needed green corridor connection between Ross Reserve, Aubrey Moss Memorial Gardens and Copas Park. Project works will include landscaping, shade structures, tables and chairs and a performance platform. The newly created pocket park will provide the community with a place to rest, enjoy activities and somewhere to eat publicly.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $425,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong.

The City of Greater Dandenong will deliver a trader-focussed promotional campaign and merchandise that celebrates the unique identity and character of Noble Park.

A Noble Park mural will be translated onto reusable tote bags and other items to be supplied to businesses (at no charge) and distributed to the local community. Residents and visitors will be encouraged to rediscover Noble Park businesses and get their ‘special edition tote bag etc.’ when they purchase goods at various businesses.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $22,950 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong.

Works to upgrade the Ian Street streetscape follow the recently completed design review for the street. The project addresses changes in land use as a result of the level crossing removal project, including the new Link Road and intersection at Ian St and Mons Parade.

The redesign of Ian Street also addresses an increase in the number of trees and threshold treatments at the Heatherton Road and Mons Parade intersections.  Street furniture and new surface treatments will refresh and renew Ian Street.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $680,000 in funding for the project, which is underway. The project is being delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong.

A six-month pilot of community-based tutoring and study support, delivered one night per week during school terms. 'Students Connect' offered learning support for young people aged 12-20, alongside practical workshops to aid young people’s uptake of education, training, voluntary, and employment support opportunities.

The project model also featured pro-social recreational activities to be provided in-kind by Youth and Family Services to foster increased socialisation and encourage connectivity for isolated or newly arrived young people.

The Noble Park Youth Committee and the City of Greater Dandenong worked together to deliver the pilot, which the Suburban Revitalisation program has contributed $21,850 towards. This pilot operated through to mid-2022, with the City of Dandenong continuing the program for a further 6 months to the end of 2022.

Noble Park Community Centre’s programs were expanded to increase participation and social connection within the local community. Programs included capacity-building art and gardening workshops, pop-up outdoor events, art exhibitions for public enjoyment, an Artist in Residencies opportunity, and the development and delivery of indoor Family Fun Days for people of all ages and abilities. A social media campaign supported the program of activities.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $46,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the Noble Park Community Centre.

The Noble Park Revitalisation Board contributed $50,000 to support the development of a business plan for the next five years of the Noble Park Community Centre (NPCC).

In Partnership with the NPCC and the City of Greater Dandenong, stakeholders were engaged to inform a blueprint to include:

• Determining community needs and demand for services, identifying any gaps
• Examining the economic suitability of the NPCC
• Developing a five-year plan that includes future building requirements and needs, and building maintenance

The Blueprint was delivered in mid-2022.

Improvements to the Noble Park Community Centre building have been delivered to ensure the centre can continue to serve the needs of the local community. The works have also modernised the centre’s facilities to work into the broader Ross Reserve Master plan.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $184,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong and the Noble Park Community Centre.

Five pedestrian counting devices have been installed by the City of Greater Dandenong in key locations across the Noble Park activity centre.

The data collected will provide insights on footfall and pedestrian activity. Examples include real time statistics on when the centre becomes busy, the gender distribution of visitors and the number of children walking through the area.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $20,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong.

Deliver a garden, designed and managed by community, as a pilot project for a broader aim of creating an environmental sustainability precinct within the open spaces at AMES Noble Park.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $74,000 in funding for the project which was completed in mid-2022.

A 6-month program of pop-up sport and recreation activities, created for women & girls, CALD and youth. The key focus was on increasing participation among hard to reach young people and adults with mental health, physical health or addiction problems, those in isolation, as well as people experiencing disadvantage in the community.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $55,000 in funding for the project which was completed in mid-2022.

The City of Greater Dandenong held 14 skateboarding masterclasses for young people aged 12-25 of all skill levels, delivered in partnership with Shredability (a skatepark events and coaching organisation providing skateboard experiences facilitated by role models).

The free masterclasses aimed to increase positive social activities for young people and create activity in the Noble Park Skate Park. Each class ran for 1 hour and included up to 10 young people. Overall, there were 139 beginner and intermediate participants engaged over the sessions.

Skateboards were provided to participants, encouraging and enabling them to continue to be socially and physically active following completion of the program.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $15,200 in funding for the project which was completed in mid-2022.

Four free soccer clinics (2hrs per clinic) were delivered by the City of Greater Dandenong in partnership with Melbourne City Soccer Club. Participants of all skill levels were welcomed. The clinics were primarily aimed at young people aged 12-25. The program attracted 105 participants across the school holiday sessions. An additional four sessions were run at the Noble Park English Language School at the start of the new school term.

The clinics intended to engage young people in positive social activities while increasing physical activity, participation in public space, reconnecting young people to their local community and creating pathways into local soccer clubs.

A start up kit of a soccer ball, water bottle and shin guards was provided to participants, ensuring the cost of these aren’t a barrier to participation.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $11,000 in funding for the project which was completed in mid-2022.

Yoga sessions were held twice a week for nine weeks at Ross Reserve in Noble Park by the City of Greater Dandenong in Partnership with YMCA.

The program was open to everyone, but was designed with the participation of local women in mind. The program’s intent was to reduce barriers to women accessing health and wellbeing opportunities and services and also provide a new opportunity for women to create meaningful social connections locally.

150 participants were engaged over the 18 sessions.

A start up kit of a non-slip yoga mat, pad brick, stretch band and towel was provided to participants, ensuring the cost of these weren't a barrier to participation.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $13,400 in funding for the project which was completed in mid-2022.

Five temporary public art projects were delivered by artists commissioned by the City of Greater Dandenong, in various locations around Noble Park, to transform major arrival points, laneways, vacant spaces and undervalued places.

These included a pavement mural in Commonwealth Bank Lane, a wall mural in Buckley's Lane/Leonard Ave, a wall mural on the Douglas Street toilet block, a pavement mural in the Frank Street carpark and three signal box artworks developed from a compilation of up to 40 drawings by young people from Noble Park Primary and St Anthony's Primary School.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $75,600 in funding for the project which was completed in mid-2022.

The City of Greater Dandenong have added colour and vibrancy to the streets of Noble Park’s activity centre with two decorative seasonal crate displays. The crates form a base from which sculptural inserts are installed. Pictured below are Christmas themed display installed in 2021.

The seasonal series of new inserts incorporate a spring and autumn theme and comprise five inserts into a fixed base. The seasonal inserts are fabricated to endure outdoor use for 12-week intervals over five years.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $22,250 in funding for the project which was completed in mid-2022.

Three interpretive signs have been created for significant places and stories associated with the history and evolution of the Noble Park activity centre. Interpretive signs provide photos and text to educate audiences.

The signs create a connected trail across three sites:

• Copas Park with rose garden
• Mills Reserve Playground
• Noble Park Public Hall

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $26,500 in funding for the project, to be delivered by the City of Greater Dandenong, which was completed in mid-2022.

The City of Greater Dandenong have planted 63 new trees, in line with the council’s tree planting plan, with the intent of addressing heat island effects and increasing canopy coverage over the next ten years.

The program delivered underground service assessments, soil preparation, tree species selection and planting of 63 trees in the Noble Park activity centre. Noble Park’s entire activity centre is registered as a thermal hotspot because of the highly urbanised and densified nature of the area. This project will greatly increase the tree canopy area for the future.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $50,000 in funding for the project which was completed in mid-2022.

The Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce established the Noble Park Retailer’s Hub to support local retailers and, working with a youth employment services provider, connect local young people into employment opportunities.

The project aims were to:

• Strengthen the networks of retailers in Noble Park, including membership to the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
• Provide business training to support retailers, following consultations to identify their unique needs
• Engage with young people in Noble Park to provide career counselling support and connections to local businesses and career opportunities

The Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce delivered the program, which has been made possible with $10,000 in funding from the Suburban Revitalisation program. This project delivered activities through the course of early-to-mid 2022.

The Noble Park Big Day Out was an all-ages festival featuring a range of free activities and outdoor workshops for the young and old, set in the Ross Reserve precinct.

Held on Saturday 26 March 2022, the event celebrated Noble Park's rich diversity and offered an array of cultural foods and performances.

The Noble Park Youth Committee worked alongside the City of Greater Dandenong to plan and deliver the event, including the production of communications materials to inform residents, traders and prospective attendees. The Suburban Revitalisation program contributed $42,850 towards the event.

In Partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong, a youth committee was established to work alongside the Noble Park Revitalisation Board to identify the key challenges experienced by young people in the suburb. A series of workshops were held where the group explored new youth projects while gaining valuable leadership skills.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $4,400 in funding, alongside an in-kind contribution of $15,954 from the City of Greater Dandenong. The engagement was completed in late 2021.

The streetscape improvements support business activity and visitor attraction to the Noble Park Activity centre while building on the centre's sense of community spirit and much-loved village character. The project has improved the main street’s footpaths, provided safer vehicle and pedestrian crossings at the newly created intersection at Leonard Ave, Link Road and Douglas Street as a result of the level crossing removal project. It has increased the number of street trees, public seating options, landscaping, public lighting and provided traffic management thresholds to better support safe pedestrian movement.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $310,000 of funding for the project, which was completed in December 2021 in partnership with the CIty of Greater Dandenong.

Stage 1B of the All Abilities Playground delivered additional play elements, nine seats, two picnic tables and other supporting infrastructure to the All Abilities Playground.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $190,000 in funding for the project which was completed in November 2021. This stage of works complements the initial investment of $2 million from Sports and Recreation Victoria to establish the All Abilities Playground.

Pictured below is 2021 City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Cr Angela Long at the opening of the All Abilities Playground in November 2021.