Team Reece’s grand plan for Melbourne’s own Little India and a revitalised Chinatown

Lord Mayor Nick Reece will create a multi-million-dollar package to establish a Little India precinct and invest in the city’s already flourishing Chinatown if he is re-elected in October.

The $22.6 million investment will extend beyond infrastructure according to Cr Reece, who said that it was about strengthening cultural ties and celebrating the contribution that the Indian and Chinese communities made to Melbourne’s cultural and economic life.

$10 million of Team Reece’s package will be dedicated to establishing Little India which he envisions to become an area recognising Indian life through culturally significant street art, signage and regular cultural events.

An additional $250,000 will be provided annually to activate the precinct once established with cultural festivals and other events.

If re-elected, Cr Reece plans to work closely with the Indian community to choose the site to bring the precinct to life.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics greater Melbourne is home to more than 240,000 Indian residents and Docklands alone has more than 2000 residents of Indian descent which accounts for just over 13 per cent of the area’s population.

With the city having the biggest Indian diaspora in Australia, Cr Reece said an Indian precinct was long overdue, with the multicultural city already boasting Chinatown, the Greek Precinct, Little Italy and Koreatown.

Cr Reece will also strengthen Melbourne’s ties with India by making his first official overseas mission to that country if elected in October.

The trip will focus on promoting Melbourne’s business opportunities, tourism, and educational institutions, as well as establishing a sister city relationship with an Indian city.

Team Reece’s Deputy Lord Mayoral candidate Roshena Campbell is excited about the announcement of Little India.

She said that project was close to her heart due to her family immigrating to Australia from India and that it was time Melbourne established a precinct that celebrated the city’s Indian population.

The package will also include a $12.6 million investment into revitalising Chinatown, with the bulk of the money to be invested into community-led infrastructure upgrades that will improve pedestrian safety and enhance public spaces.

Under Team Reece’s package, the iconic archways and lighting throughout the precinct are in line to be improved too

Additionally, $1.6 million will be invested into the Museum of Chinese Australian History and $1 million will be put aside for ongoing support of cultural festivals. •