South-Eastern Metropolitan Region
Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:36): (1396) My constituency question is to the Minister for Small Business and Employment. I ask: Minister, will you take immediate action to address the concerns of 67 traders who have leased shops at the Dandenong Hub and who are desperate to deter antisocial behaviours and unwanted night-time break-ins, which are severely impacting their businesses? The Dandenong shopping precinct, and in particular the hub, needs a facelift and some tender loving care. I met with the chairman of the Dandenong Hub and the committee members recently and was shown the appalling state of the hub, with numerous shops closed and up for sale or lease. I was shown pictures of horrifying examples where security doors had been forced open, fires had been lit and there was damage from acts of trespassing, including hallways being used as toilets. Not only are traders frightened, frustrated and losing their businesses, but there is also the added safety issue, with people being reckless and property being damaged after being broken into. Traders say they do not feel safe to remain in the Dandenong Hub after business hours.