Wyndham could become the Indian hub of Victoria.
Point Cook resident Sudhir Juneja has started an online petition – Change.org – to develop a location in Point Cook or East Werribee into a Victorian Indian cultural precinct.
The state government announced its intention to develop an Indian cultural precinct in Victoria as part of its 2015-16 budget, and Mr Juneja is keen to see that hub in Wyndham. He believes that either Point Cook or East Werribee – both just off the M1 freeway – would be ideal for tourists on their way to the Great Ocean Road, but he said he would be happy to see the hub located elsewhere in Wyndham.
Mr Juneja believes Wyndham’s burgeoning Indian population, and major events such as Wyndham Diwali and the Holi Festival, are important reasons to position the Indian hub in Wyndham. He said the competition for the precinct was a two-horse race, with only himself and a representative from Dandenong putting their chosen areas forward.
“Instead of flying to India to experience the culture, you can come to Wyndham,” he said. “If logic prevails, it will happen here.”
The online petition had been signed by 453 people at the time Star Weekly went to print.
A spokesman for Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott said a panel would assess locations based on key criteria.
“Some of those criteria will include having a history with Indian migrant settlement and business, having a significant number of residents with an Indian background, budgetary considerations and management capabilities, just to name a few,” the spokesman said.
The panel will make its recommendations to the state government in late August.
Wyndham councillor and cultural diversity portfolio holder Gautam Gupta said he was aware of the petition and was seeking more information from the state government about the application process.
To throw your support behind Mr Juneja’s campaign, sign the petition here.
