Peer Review of Economic Need and Impact Assessment

The City of Greater Dandenong (Council) was reviewing a rezoning proposal for a large mixed-use development at 220-264 Princes Highway, Dandenong. The proposed development envisaged delivery of a new retail outlet centre, large format retail precinct, shops, office building and 180-room hotel.

Council received an Economic Need and Impact Assessment prepared by Ethos Urban in support of the application and sought independent advice on whether its findings were supportable in particular the potential impact of the development on the existing centre hierarchy.

What Atlas Did

Atlas was engaged to peer review the ENIA from first principles, testing the methodology, inputs, assumptions and rationale underpinning its retail demand and impacts assessment, its hotel market assessment and its economic impact modelling.

The Outcome

The Peer Review set out four recommendations for Council to put to the proponent, covering updated population projections, further justification for the hotel component, identification of net economic impacts, and justification for the non-viability of continued industrial use of the Site. Council relied on the Peer Review's findings and recommendations to frame its response to the proponent.