Residents call for Little India artwork to be dumped at Harris Park
The saga of a gateway monument to Little India in Sydney’s west is boiling over with critics wanting the structure rejected because it will only attract rubbish and ‘hoons’.
Residents have scored a partial win for Parramatta Council to reject a large welcome gate in the Little India precinct at Harris Park, labelling it an “eyesore” and a waste of public funds which would be that should be spent cleaning the streets and tackling noise and safety problems in the suburb.
After much debate and controversy, the council on Monday night agreed a large arch would be dumped in favour of a smaller overhead lights gateway at Marion St.
The structure will be delivered under a $3.5m federal government grant. The new plans have been lodged after the subcontinental business community rejected the design of four floral pillars because it failed to resonate with the South Asian diaspora.
But the project has also exposed Little India’s anti-social problems again, with members of Harris Park Residents’ Group saying the council needed to spend funds on cleaning the filthy streets.
“It is time for council and other levels of government to stop squandering public funds and pandering to the egos of a handful of businessmen who not only do not live in the area but clearly care nothing for the impact their businesses have on local residents,’’ David Dilley said.
He cited a council document that showed 57 per cent of residents rejected Little India sculptures proposed for the suburb.
The document also showed just 18 per cent of local businesses supported improvements to the streetscape which Dr Dilley said “unequivocally demonstrates business is not interested in improvements that will benefit the entire community, but rather only those that will benefit their business”.
“No gateway is going to fit in with the current streetscape,’’ he said.
“It will be nothing but an eyesore and a monument to the folly of those who approved it.
“Any assertions that a gateway will enhance the ‘tourist appeal’ of Little India as a ‘destination’ are laughably pie in the sky.’’
Dr Dilley said even members of the Indian community avoided Little India because of “ongoing issues of rubbish in the streets which reaccumulatess soon after the daily council clean-ups; the filth of various, and unapproved, outdoor eating areas; and the regular “hoon and Hot Rod show” on weekend nights.
“It is time for council and other levels of government to stop squandering public funds and pandering to the egos of handful of businessmen who not only do not live in the area but clearly care nothing for the impact their businesses have on local residents.’’
Resident Seema Dhawan also blasted business leaders for putting egos ahead of residents’ needs.
“A handful of businesses that make the most noise about cultural representation, are run by people who do not live here,’’ she told the council meeting.
“They commute from other suburbs and have no intention of living close to their workplace at Harris Park because they know the ground reality.
“Let’s focus on projects that improve safety, cleanliness and quality of life for actual residents
and businesses, not symbolic structures just to satisfy egos of some.’’
Ms Dhawan said Harris Park was a “free-for-all zone” and the India Gate would create another epicentre for problems in the suburb.
“People came to Australia for a better life, not to experience the same issues they left behind,’’ she said.
“Yet here, they encounter food cooked openly on street corners, people sitting on pavers, milk crates, or truck tyres to eat on the roadside. People drinking tea and tossing cups wherever they finish, urinating on fences.
“Rubbish is thrown anywhere and no care for planning laws as they see in other suburbs here.’’
However, Harris Park resident Vijay Sharma pushed for the construction of an “Australia‑India friendship gate in Little India.
“This gate will serve as a lasting symbol of the strong, friendly ties between Australia and India, enhance the visual identity of the precinct, attracting tourists and shoppers and thereby boosting the local economy,’’ he said.
He said the group favoured a welcome arch with the Australian and Indian flags permanently engraved on both sides at Wigram St.
“A thoughtfully designed friendship gate will be a meaningful addition to Harris Park, celebrating cultural diversity and driving economic benefit.’’
In a letter tabled to the council, Little India Harris Park Business Precinct president Sanjay Deshwal pushed for a welcome gate which would be a “must-visit monument”.
“Parramatta being the heart of multiculturalism is the perfect place to get a welcome gate to signify the importance and growth of Australian Indian relations,’’ he said.
After the meeting, Mr Dashwal said lots of people were unhappy because the “Indian community totally wanted a gate’’.
He dismissed suggestions that the gate was about satisfying egos.
“Before Harris Park was such a little sleepy suburb ... it’s such a vibrant place now so it’s not for someone’s ego, it’s a place for everyone.’’
Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter sought to have the simplified lights display to please the residents and businesses.
Councillors Sameer Pandey and Sreeni Pillamarri, who have Indian heritage, favoured a gate which Cr Pandey said would make “Harris Park a world class precinct”.
The council will next review designs.
More Coverage
Originally published as Residents call for Little India artwork to be dumped at Harris Park
