By Brendan Rees
A $5 million Indian Community Precinct will be built in Cranbourne if the Liberals win the 2018 State Election, opposition leader Matthew Guy has promised.
The precinct will feature community halls and facilities to support the teaching of languages, dance, musical instruments and singing.
A kitchen and cookery training facility will also be included as part of the precinct.
Mr Guy made the announcement on Wednesday 15 August at the Indian Consulate in Melbourne which is to-date the biggest funding for the Victorian Indian community.
Half a million dollars will also go towards a comprehensive plan for the precinct, including the establishment of a dedicated board and consultation with the Indian-Australian community,
Mr Guy says the board will ensure a coordinated and informed approach to the ongoing management of the “unique and important cultural precinct.”
“Victorians of Indian background have made a remarkable contribution to our state,” Mr Guy said.
“The Liberal Nationals understand the importance of these cultural benefits to the community, and are willing to support it by ensuring that everything is done to enhance the extensive contribution from our Indian community to Victoria.”
The Liberals hope by developing the precinct that the next generation will be encouraged to learn and enjoy the beliefs and customs of the ever-growing Indian-Australian community for years to come.”
Anchal Agarwal, an active member of the Indian community in Cranbourne welcomed the announcement.
“An Indian Precinct in Cranbourne would be a significant economic and cultural infrastructure for local Indian community,” she said.
“With few major future Indian celebrations to be held hopefully in the proposed Cranbourne Indian precinct it would attract Victorian Indians across the state in the City of Casey.”
Mrs Agarwal said the Indian community was growing in the area and this would be a “big boost to their cultural and social life.”
“The International Tourists from India visiting Phillip Island could be encouraged to drive through the Cranbourne’s Indian Precinct, thereby boosting local economy.”
“The local Indian community would be able to do most of their shopping in the area. Right now for various things they have to drive down to Dandenong,” she said.
Mrs Agarwal had raised the issue of a Cranbourne Indian Precinct with Matthew Guy during the Shadow Cabinet Meeting held at Cranbourne Race Course last year.
