Dandenong shop owners slam state government’s Little India development plan
Major redevelopment plans for Dandenong’s Little India are “not for the Indian community”, shop owners say.
South East
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The latest redevelopment in Dandenong’s Little India cultural precinct has been slammed as “not for the Indian community”, shop owners say.
The state government this week gave the green light to Melbourne-based company Capital Alliance to develop future sites in the precinct, including 470 new homes and 2500sq m of community spaces.
However, existing Indian Australian shop owners say they’re being overlooked in the redevelopment and are concerned they’ve been offered no incentive or aid to move location while the building takes place.
Business owner Sudesh Singh, who runs two shops in the Little India precinct, said the development was “definitely not for the Indian community” but a means for the government to make money.
“This development is killing us financially … the government has sold us to Capital Alliance, so the government is responsible for seeing that Capital Alliance places us in a situation that can be controlled,” she said.
“We’re not saying do not develop. We are saying to keep us in mind.”
Federation of India Associations of Victoria president Vasan Srinivasan, who was instrumental in developing Dandenong’s Little India back in 2009, said he was “concerned” for the traders of Dandenong’s Little India.
“It begs the question whether the government will pay for the relocation (until construction is done),” he said.
“Also, what is the guarantee that the rental is going to be appropriate for them to survive when they are back?”
Mr Srinivasan said he was “disappointed” with the plan.
“We call ourselves the most multicultural nation in the world and the most multicultural state in Australia,” he said.
“But we don’t have any place for Indian businesses to come together, to share our culture, and to share our journey.”
Mr Srinivasan said it was wrong for the government to announce the Little India redevelopment “for the sake of making money” just before the council election time.
“You’re looking at 200 families connected to those owners and their mortgage; their families are going to go through a mental health pandemic,” he said.
“I think the government played with the mindset of Indians.”
Dandenong City Council is home to Melbourne’s seventh largest Indian population.
The development is projected to inject $600m into the Dandenong economy and provide more than 2600 construction jobs.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Lana Formoso said this redevelopment was a “significant step forward” for the revitalisation of central Dandenong.
“Central Dandenong is incredibly important to our community, it is already home to the landmark Dandenong Market and our local food precincts,” she said.
“In coming years, we look forward to progressing council’s plans for Revitalising Greater Dandenong with more affordable housing, and a safe and vibrant precinct for our local economy and community to prosper.”
In a press release on Monday, Development Victoria Minister Colin Brooks said the project was set to brings more jobs and homes closer to public services.
“Dandenong is booming and we’re ensuring more homes and jobs are created closer to public services, so local families can access everything they need, close to where they live,” he said.
Development Victoria was contacted for comment over whether there would be financial aid offered to existing shop owners put out by the redevelopment.
