By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
DANDENONG’S Little India shopping-strip must beat off competition from five other Melbourne sites to be chosen as the State Government’s Indian Cultural Precinct.
The Andrews government has pledged to create an Indian Cultural Precinct – a hub for business and tourism – to “celebrate the Indian community’s contribution to the multicultural capital of the world“.
Kashaliya Vaghela of Foster Street Traders Association is Little India’s sole representative on an 11-member advisory panel which has been hand-picked by the government to shortlist sites and decide the location of the precinct by the end of August.
Ms Vaghela and Thomas Joseph, co-panelist and president of the Dandenong-based Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria, had pushed to get Dandenong on the shortlist.
Other panellists added City of Casey, Glen Waverley, Melbourne’s inner city, Footscray and Point Cook as potential locations, Ms Vaghela said.
She said it was promising that three of the sites were situated in Melbourne’s south east.
Little India’s traders would have a chance to have a direct say during the community consultation stage, alongside a feasibility study which is expected to recommend the winning site.
“If the outcome is not clear, the panel will decide,” Ms Vaghela said.
“I’m happy with the process. It’s a very open and transparent process and that’s why they want the community to know about it.”
Some Little India traders were disappointed they had no notice of the panel selection process or the panel’s meeting on 8 May.
Some raised questions over the Labor-supporter’s appointment, claiming her Little India business had been shut for more than a year.
“People can say whatever they want to say,” Ms Vaghela said. “I’m for Little India.
“If I’m unhappy about something, I’ll speak out.”
Sudesh Singh, who owns three Little India businesses, questioned why the State Government was considering options other than the 20-year-old Little India district which has been acquired by state developer Places Victoria.
“I’ve invested a lot of money here. I don’t think any of us (traders) would want to move.”
Trader Steven Khan said he was trying to keep “positive” despite the precinct’s uncertain future.
Places Victoria precincts general manager Simon Wilson said a “self-sufficient and prosperous” Little India was an “integral part” of the Revitalising Central Dandenong project.
Greater Dandenong Business acting group manager Kevin Van Boxtel said the council supported Little India as the location of the premier Indian precinct.
The precinct project was provided $500,000 in this month’s State Budget.
Multicultual Affairs Minister Robin Scott said the precinct would be a “welcome meeting place for the community to call its home”.
“The precinct will tell the story of Indian migration to Victoria and will be home to a number of significant events for the Indian community.”
