By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Little India traders say the iconic retail strip may be “wiped off” under a proposed large-scale redevelopment of the Dandenong retail precinct.
The State Government announced on 5 July that a 1.9 hectare site, including the unique Foster Street retail strip, is being put out to market by State Government agency Development Victoria.
The area borders Thomas Street, Cheltenham Road, Halpin Way and Dandenong railway station would become a mixed-use precinct.
It is part of the Revitalising Central Dandenong – an urban renewal project that is 10 years into a 20-year plan.
The Government said that traders will be consulted as part of the project.
Little India traders, however, say they were “in the dark” over the plans. They are calling a meeting for 9 July to consider their situation.
Trader Steve Khan, who owns a cafe, supermarket and hairdresser shop in the precinct, was worried that there was no announced temporary site for businesses during the redevelopment.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do now.
“The issue is they need to find a place to keep us all together for when the new facility is ready.
“Otherwise in four or five years’ time it will be very hard to bring us back together again.”
The once-thriving strip hadn’t recovered since being paralysed by the early phases of Revitalising Central Dandenong about a decade ago, Mr Khan said.
For several years of works, customers were deterred by the closure of Foster Street and reconfiguration of nearby streets.
Since that time, the precinct has been beautified with street art and signage with a partly-spent $500,000 State grant.
Confederation of Indian Australian Association chair Vasan Srinivasan said Little India would be “destroyed”.
“This is going to destroy many lives of Indian traders and those working for those traders.
“What was the use of spending $500,000 to decorate it when Little India is going to be wiped off?
“It was just a sweetener given by (then-Multicultural Affairs Minister) Robin Scott.”
According to a State Government statement, guidelines will require the redevelopment to “respect the cultural significance of Little India”.
The developer would be required to ensure that “new retail and hospitality spaces incorporate Indian cultural themes”.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said Revitalising Central Dandenong enabled the city to “continue to grow and meet the needs of the community”.
“We will work with local businesses and the community every step of the way as we deliver the next phase of this exciting project.”
Priority Precincts Minister Gavin Jennings said: “From the centre of Dandenong, the benefits of renewal will resonate throughout this vibrant and fast-developing community and we’re proud to be leading such an important initiative.”
Greater Dandenong councillor Matthew Kirwan said the announcement was “broadly positive” for the “stalled” Revitalising Central Dandenong project.
He hoped that it did not represent a “fire sale” of the land.
“Development Victoria is putting its foot on the accelerator in a sense.
“My concern is we get a quality response from the market that is good for Dandenong.”
