Springvale was named after its abundant source of natural spring water in the early 1850s. Springvale was also an important stopping place between Melbourne and Dandenong. Springvale was chosen as a location for one of the Australian Government’s purpose-built Enterprise Migrant Hostels to meet short term housing needs created by waves of migration in the 1970s and 1980s. This hostel provided settlement services to over 30,000 migrants and refugees and has been a key contributor to Springvale’s existing cultural identity. Today it is home to the largest and most established south-east Asian cultural precinct in Greater Dandenong. It has a strong Vietnamese and Cambodian influence giving the centre a distinctive Asian food and retail offer. Springvale has an established cluster of civic and community services and assets such as a council customer service centre, large civic hall, library and police station. In 2014 the Springvale Road railway level crossing was removed and the railway line was lowered below Springvale Road. This project also involved other public transport improvements, such as the new bus transport interchange and the Lindsay Williams Crossing vehicular bridge to allow crossing of the line east of Springvale Road. This removal has also provided the opportunity to initiate a significant urban renewal project, namely the Springvale Road Boulevard Project. The level crossing removal has opened up the north and south of the centre for Springvale was chosen as a location for one of the Commonwealth Government’s purpose built Enterprise Migrant Hostels to meet short term housing needs created by waves of migration in the 1970s and 1980s. The Hostel provided settlement services to over 30,000 migrants and refugees during this time and has been a key contributor to Springvale’s existing cultural identity.
In 2014 the Springvale Road railway level crossing was removed and the railway line was lowered below Springvale Road. This project also involved other public transport improvements, such as the new bus transport interchange and the Lindsay Williams Crossing vehicular bridge to allow crossing of the line east of Springvale Road. This removal also opened up the opportunity to initiate a significant urban renewal project, namely the Springvale Road Boulevard Project. The level crossing removal has opened up the north and south of the centre.
The Springvale Civic Site redevelopment is also underway and will include improved public open space and community facilities including renovation works at the Springvale Town Hall and the construction of a community hub which will incorporate a modern, state-of-the-art library, flexible community meeting spaces, civic services area and plentiful parking.
After its planned launch in 2020, it will be a vibrant meeting place where people of all ages, backgrounds and interests feel welcome and can come together in a spirit of mutual respect, connection and celebration.
World-class community facilities will combine with large, multipurpose green spaces to provide the perfect setting for learning, playing and relaxing.