Inner West Council: Designs unveiled for LGA ‘Little Precincts’ signage revamp, cost revealed
A Sydney council will install new signs celebrating the area’s diverse European and Asian communities, but with a hefty price tag. See the pictures of the designs.
Inner West
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A Sydney council will install new signs celebrating the area’s diverse European and Asian communities – with a hefty price tag.
On Tuesday, Inner West Council voted unanimously to proceed with installing 26 new wayfinders costing ratepayers $289,000.
The signs will include the “Little” monikers of that area’s migrant community.
“Little Portugal” signs will be installed in Petersham, “Little Greece” and “Little Vietnam” in Marrickville, and “Little Italy” in Leichhardt.
There’ll be 26 in total while councillors also voted to look into larger lettering signage for both Little Vietnam, in Marrickville, and Little Italy, in Leichhardt.
The signs, however, come with a price tag to the tune of almost half a million dollars.
The 26 wayfinder signs will cost $289,000 overall, while council estimates put the two larger signs at about $180,000 all up.
An Inner West council spokesman said the move “celebrates the local government area’s diversity”.
“Council is working with communities across the LGA to celebrate our diversity in a playful manner that promotes the rich history and culture of our ‘Little Villages’, and elevates the localities as destinations for residents and visitors,” he said.
“We are excited by this program and believe it is long past due that the cultures and people who make the Inner West such a vibrant and diverse community are recognised and celebrated.”
Last year, council received approval from the Geographical Names Board to officially rename parts of the LGA, including Little Greece on Marrickville Rd.
Marrickville ward councillor Mat Howard on Tuesday said the recognition and signage meant a lot to the Inner West’s migrant communities.
“It’s a powerful act of recognition for our migrant communities that have shaped the Inner West,” he told council’s chamber.
“It’s placemaking at its very best, with culture and diversity at the heart of how we tell our stories and define our public spaces.”
The council spokesman confirmed the 26 signs would be in this year’s budget while there was a commitment for the larger signage – including it’s design and final cost – in the 2023-24 budget, although they remain in the development stage.
Given council will engage and consult with local communities on the designs and signs, there is no concrete time frame for their erection.
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