Since the 1990's Dandenong has been home to Melbourne’s Indian community, with an active and authentic Little India Cultural Precinct, and other Indian businesses in the activity centre.
Since the Revitalising Central Dandenong project started in 2006 the face of central Dandenong has changed enormously, with vastly improved public spaces, numerous new office buildings, Harmony Square and library. These developments have attracted increasing numbers of workers, students and visitors into the area. Dandenong’s Little India Cultural Precinct is located in the midst of all this, and directly next to Dandenong Railway Station where 2.6 million commuters per annum are exposed to Indian culture and commerce each day as they walk to and from the station.
Extensive community consultation during 2017-18 led to the Indian Cultural Precinct Framework. This sets a strategic direction and shared vision for the precinct over the short, medium and long term.
The Framework identifies 140 initiatives categorised under the six Precinct Objectives:
- Presentation and Curation
- Trade Experience
- Marketing and Partnerships
- Festivals and Events
- Community Hub
- Development
Immediate action will focus on short term initiatives that best use $500,000 funding provided by the Victorian Government through the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Free copies of the Framework and Summary can be requested via business@cgd.vic.gov.au. Contact Council on 8571 1000, If you would prefer to speak directly with a Council representative about the Indian Cultural Precinct Framework.
