Little India traders fear ‘wipe out’ under Development Victoria plans
Chinatown, Little Greece, Little Italy and Little India — all add to our city’s cultural melting pot. But traders in the latter, who have “invested their whole lives” into the shopping strip, fear they will be “wiped out” under plans for a revamp.
South East
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Devastated traders in Dandenong’s popular Little India shopping strip fear their businesses will be “wiped out” under a plan to redevelop the precinct.
Development Victoria has called for expressions of interest to redevelop a 1.9ha site bordered by Halpin Way, Cheltenham Rd and Dandenong railway station, which includes Little India.
The redevelopment — part of Revitalising Central Dandenong urban renewal project — is expected to attract up to $100 million in private sector investment.
But dozens of traders told Dandenong Leader they feared they would be forced to close businesses they had “invested their whole lives into”.
A furious Sudesh Singh, who has owned two fashion shops on the strip for more than 20 years, said she was concerned traders would be “wiped out”.
“They (Development Victoria) haven’t told us where they’re going to put us and I think that should’ve been decided before they even started selling,” Ms Singh said.
“There hasn’t been much consultation and all of the traders are feeling very sad.”
Ms Singh said outside forces had tried to encroach on traders “about 10 years ago”.
“They decided to sell particular portions of the property and it was this government that intervened — they know exactly how we feel and what we want,” she said.
Shahid Syed said he was concerned there was no announcement of a temporary site for traders.
“We hope to be moved to a temporary location during works because this is our livelihood and bread and butter,” Mr Syed said.
“It has affected us all so much — we have all loved being here and we’re near Dandenong’s main transport hub, which has been so convenient.”
Rampal Sharma, who has owned restaurants on the strip for almost 20 years, said Little India was integral to the Dandenong community.
“Little India is one of the most popular places for tourists in Australia — there’s nowhere else like it and I hope it can stay like this,” Mr Sharma said.
Cr Matthew Kirwan said he welcomed the announcement but the worst outcome would be a development with no infrastructure.
“If the market proposes a large residential development there needs to be community infrastructure and open space come with it,” he said.
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Development Victoria precincts group head Geoff Ward said the department acknowledged the “social, economic and cultural significance of Little India”.
Mr Ward said the proposed redevelopment offered “an exciting opportunity to breathe new life into central Dandenong”.
He said the release of “expressions of interest” was the start of a long process, with construction expected to start in 2023 “at the earliest”.
“(We) will continue to work with traders and the local community during this process,” Mr Ward said.