Photo: SAT
By SAT News Desk
Melbourne, 25 June: The Daniel Andrews government in Victoria has initiated public consultations by inviting individuals and organisations to three ‘public meetings’ to decide the location of the Indian Cultural Precinct for which it committed $ 500,000 at the last Diwali function at Federation Square.
Earlier, during the previous Coalition government Dandenong’s ‘Little India’ traders had agitated long against the Places Victoria policies which they said were destroying business and businesses in Little India (Foster Street, Dandenong). The agitation took a decisive turn with a massive Little India traders and community demonstration outside the Victorian Parliament. The well attended rally was addressed by many Labor leaders and the issue raised by Mr. Jude Pareira, Labor MP in the Parliament.
The Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Robin Scott, is inviting interested organisations and individuals to attend public meetings to discuss the possible location and ideas for the precinct.
“The public meetings are a unique opportunity to help shape a significant cultural precinct in Melbourne, says a media release from the office of Mr. Robin Scott.
Mr. Scott said, “We look forward to hearing from community members regarding their suggestions for the location of the cultural precinct. “
“The Indian Cultural Precinct will recognise the important contribution the Indian community makes to Victoria and will be a place to hold festivals, a hub to support business, a drawcard for tourism, and a meeting place for the entire community,” the Minister said.
The media release says the meetings will be held in the following locations:
– Dandenong Thursday 23 July, 6pm – 7.30pm (Committee Room, Drum Theatre, Corner of Lonsdale and Walker Streets, Dandenong)
– Werribee Monday 3 August, 6pm – 7.30pm (Wyndham Community and Education Centre, 3 Princess Highway, Werribee)
– Melbourne CBD Tuesday 4 August, 6pm – 7.30pm (Department of Premier and Cabinet, 1 MacArthur Place, East Melbourne)
Anyone interested in attending these meetings needs to email omac@dpc.vic.gov.au or call the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship on 9651 0628 before Tuesday 21 July if you would like to attend.
“Alternatively, written submissions can be made by emailing omac@dpc.vic.gov.au. Submissions are due by midnight Tuesday 4 August 2015,” the media release says.
For more information about the Indian Cultural Precinct one can also visit www.multicultural.vic.gov.au
– SAT News Service
