Indians move into Dandy

AS A new year approaches, so do a number of opportunities for local Indians as the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV) moves its head office to Dandenong.
The federation has accepted a VicUrban offer to relocate its office from Chapel Street, Prahan, to the second level of 3/85 Foster Street, Dandenong in early February.
In addition to housing the federation’s full-time staff, there will also be meeting rooms and other facilities available for community use.
Federation president Mr Vasan Srinivasan said it made sense for the group to call Dandenong home.
“There are approximately 50,000 people of Indian descent living within 20 minutes of Dandenong and our move will bring new service and opportunities closer to these people,” he said.
“We are very grateful to the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s chairperson Mr George Lekakis and VicUrban for helping our association to continue its work in the heart of Dandenong’s thriving Little India precinct.”
Mr Srinivasan said VicUrban has kept the federation informed of the Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative and looked forward to contributing to the change.
“We are also keen to play whatever role we can to help grow the Little India precinct as part of Dandenong’s exciting future,” Mr Srinivasan said.
VicUrban development director Michael King said the federation’s relocation to Dandenong was a tremendous vote of confidence in the future of the city.
“The association can see that Dandenong has both a multicultural community and a very bright future with more people expected to live and work in central Dandenong,” he said.
“By making available one of the VicUrban-owned buildings on Foster Street we have been able to secure a home for the FIAV that is part of the Little India precinct.”
VicUrban recently informed Little India traders that it had extended to 2013 the minimum period in which traders would almost certainly be able to continue operating in their existing premises.