HAWTHORN is set to present the grand plan for its new Dingley fortress to Kingston Council as soon as early March as the Hawks prepare to ask for millions of dollars in support.

The vision for the project has expanded significantly in the past few years, with initial estimates for the 28-hectare site, which borders Old Dandenong and Tootal Rds, ranging between $30 and $60 million.

That climbed to $100 million by Hawthorn's 2017 annual general meeting, before club president Jeff Kennett said in December the associated costs would be closer to "about $135 million".

The Hawks' base will be named the Kennedy Community Centre, in honour of Hawthorn triple premiership coach and former captain John Kennedy snr.

Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves, and two colleagues, met for the first time with new Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley a fortnight ago, but the next presentation will be to all key council people.

The previous mayor, Hawks supporter Steve Staikos, is still a Kingston councillor and has been involved in previous discussions with club officials.

The same council contributed $4 million to St Kilda's return to Moorabbin, but that was contingent on community groups, such as South Metro Junior Football League, being able to use the facility.

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The State Government also chipped in $12 million for the Saints.

"I am aware of (previous talks about council financially supporting Hawthorn's Dingley relocation) and it's something that's been a very low-level discussion," Oxley told AFL.com.au.

"We have to see some detailed plans and detailed ideas on what the community benefit down there is going to be if we're going to spend potentially millions of dollars of ratepayers' funds.

"We're certainly open to it and we're engaged in discussions with Hawthorn about the outcome we can get down there and whether that's something we can help with."

The meetings come as Hawthorn conducts testing to monitor – among other things – any movement at the site, some of which was a former landfill, as part of an environmental audit.

"Landfills require long-term management after closure, however with appropriate measures in place they can be rehabilitated for uses such as parks and playing fields over time," an Environment Protection Authority Victoria spokeswoman told The Age in 2015.

The authority will receive the latest report and become involved again if necessary.

Kingston Council already assisted the Hawks with a planning scheme amendment that enables them to use the Dingley site for sports and social activities, as well as advertising at the ground and nearby.

"This is a project, when completed, which we hope will service our needs for the next 50 to 100 years," Kennett said.

"We've got to get it right … it is probably going to cost about $135 million.

"It's a massive project, but when completed, we will be the only club in the AFL who owns their facility. Everyone else is built on crown or state land.

"We don't know what's going to happen to (current base) Waverley just yet. We still own it … we might retain it, we might sell it – those decisions will be made closer to the time."

A Monash Council source confirmed to AFL.com.au they were in the dark about Hawthorn's intentions for Waverley Park, but the expectation was the oval would remain regardless.

Kennett previously stated that construction would not start until the Hawks raised about half of the funds required, but still hopes that process will begin next year.

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Club benefactor Geoff Harris has committed $10 million to the project in a major boost.

"It's a huge development and would change Dingley, I think, certainly for the better," Oxley said.

"It's really going to change what I've known Dingley to be for a very long time, but I think the community asset it will be down there, once it finally goes ahead, would be fantastic.

"What that looks like in the end, I don't know, because I understand there's a very long way to go yet."