By Charlene Macaulay
Wyndham’s Indian community is rallying against the state government’s changes to Indian cultural precinct funding.
The state government last month called on Wyndham’s Indian and South Asian community groups to apply for a share of $1 million to build facilities, or improve or restore existing ones, as part of a new Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund.
But a number of Wyndham residents are dubious about the government’s motives and have questioned why it committed $50,000 for Wyndham council to conduct a feasibility study into an Indian precinct and $500,000 for its construction back in 2015, only to scrap that process in favour of the new fund.
Point Cook resident Sudhir Juneja, who advocated for the precinct in 2015, has branded the move a political stunt and called on the Indian community to reject the offer.
“We see it as a tool to buy the Indian community votes without any proof of delivery of past promise,” Mr Juneja wrote on his Facebook page.
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
Wyndham councillor Intaj Khan questioned why the funding was not included in the state’s 2018-19 budget, calling on Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott to come to Wyndham and speak with members of the Indian community.
“I don’t believe there’s a million dollars there,” he said.
“It’s an empty promise.”
Cr Khan said the Indian community was discussing the possibility of fundraising to create its own cultural precinct.
Wyndham’s Rishi Prabhakar said that based on the government’s history with the project, the community had no confidence in the latest announcement.
Mr Scott did not answer Star Weekly’s question about how many grant applications had been received to date, but did say the fund would support the preservation and sharing of Indian culture in Wyndham.
“The Indian community in Wyndham is growing fast – that’s why we’re providing funding for infrastructure that will enhance or establish community spaces that celebrate Indian culture for the local community to enjoy,” he said.
