THE City of Greater Dandenong has 140,000 residents, 49 schools and 117 supermarkets and grocery stores.
But it doesn't have a bookstore.
When Angus and Robertson recently closed down at Dandenong Plaza, residents in the municipality, which takes in Dandenong, Springvale, Noble Park and Keysborough, were left without a specialist book retailer for 130 square kilometres in Melbourne's south-east.
MCJ Wed 7 Sep 2011The site formerly occupied by Angus and Robinson at Dandenong PlazaThe Age/News/Business, Picture Michael Clayton-JonesThe site formerly occupied by the Angus and Robertson bookstore at Dandenong Plaza. Photo: Michael Clayton-Jones
The choice for book lovers such as Chloe Trindall from Dandenong North is an hour-long trip into the city or shopping online.
''I used to go to the Borders at Knox or Chadstone but they've both closed down now, too,'' says Ms Trindall. ''So I shop a lot online now or I'll go into the city because there's a bit more choice there.''
Ms Trindall is a member of the Dandenong Library but she says there are often long waiting lists for new-release books.
The Age 13 September 2011. Bookstore closures. Angus & Robertson store at 608 Burke Rd, Camberwell and Borders store at 761-767 Burke Road, Camberwell.Pic by Rebecca HallasThe Angus and Robertson store in Camberwell has closed down. Photo: Rebecca Hallas
''It's a big area not to have a decent bookstore. It must be hard for people who can't travel or don't have access to the internet,'' she says.