A search to find an Indian version of Melbourne’s China Town has led to a dead-end
The Indian community is one of the biggest groups seeking residency in Victoria, but a search to find an Indian version of Melbourne’s China Town has led to a dead-end.
Victoria
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Melbourne City Council is bereft after it went in search of an Indian “cultural precinct” but couldn’t find one.
The council did an “audit” of Indian-themed businesses in the inner city to see if there was a
concentration of traders to justify a precinct.
“Indian-related outlets retailing in the municipality were not found to form an identifiable cultural precinct....,” said the council’s latest annual report.
The council was unable to say how much the fruitless search cost, but CEO Justin Hanney said a council officer had done “desktop research” as well as talking to the Indian Consulate-General.
“We proactively contacted 64 Indian businesses across the municipality to inform them of City of Melbourne resources and promotional opportunities,” he said.
City councillor Jackie Watts instigated the idea, but wasn’t fazed that an Indian “cluster” was not discovered.
“The Indian community is one of the biggest groups seeking permanent residence in our city, but unlike Chinatown, they are dispersed,” she said.
“We’ve got to find a new way to support a very important part of our business community, I will argue that it could be a virtual precinct.”
Ms Watts, who is seeking re-election, said precincts were a key way of marketing a multicultural city like Melbourne.
Ratepayers’ Victoria president Dean Hurlston said it was vital that all cultures were connected and reflected in council’s communication and messaging.
“But it is odd that the council is looking to create something it hasn’t been able to define as an evidence-based need,” he said.
“Must have been a slow week for council officers looking for things to do.”
Meanwhile, Lord Mayor Sally Capp has been accused of pork-barrelling for pledging $900,000 in extra funding to existing precinct groups such as Chinatown and Lonsdale Street’s Greek cultural area.
Election candidate Mary-Lou Howie, from the Morgan-Watts team, said it was possible that Ms Capp may be re-elected but not have a majority in the new council.
“This type of party political pork barrelling is definitely against the spirit of local government,” she said.
“It lacks all the important components of decision-making like logic, integrity, equity, transparency, and being inclusive of all councillors.”
The Lord Mayor said she proudly supported city precincts which contributed to the economy and character of Melbourne.
“Why would anyone attack the great work done by these dedicated associations, and the hardworking local business they represent,” she said.
If re-elected, Ms Capp has pledged $100,000 for each precinct association over two years, on top of the $75,000 provided annually.
Other official precincts include Carlton Inc, City Precinct Inc, Collins Street Precinct Group and Yarra River Business Association.
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