A multicultural sculpture and performing arts park at President’s Park has been earmarked for Wyndham’s long-awaited Indian cultural precinct.
A feasibility report tabled at last week’s council meeting found that the preferred option was to have a series of sculptures, seating and shelter at President’s Park, which is a well-known venue for several Indian and other cultural festivals throughout the year.
More than 700 people across Wyndham were consulted as part of the feasibility study.
Councillors Tony Hooper and Henry Barlow said the level of consultation undertaken gave them confidence in the report’s findings.
“At the end of the day, there is a recommendation, an option, in there, and it may not have received 100 per cent support by everybody, but out of all the different areas that we looked at, it seemed to be the most feasible,” Cr Barlow said.
However, councillors Intaj Khan and Josh Gilligan argued the precinct should be based in Tarneit to reflect the concentration of Indian residents in that area.
“Tarneit has the highest density of Indian members in our community in Wyndham, and I believe that one of the other recommendations in this report does consider whether or not the Tarneit Community Learning Centre could be seen as a viable option,” Cr Gilligan said.
“Considering the media release that is provided by the Victorian government, they are intending to provide half a million dollars … and there are obviously serious questions about whether that would be enough to be able to create a precinct in this city.”
Cr Khan added: “Tarneit is a true reflection of the Indian culture, and that could be considered as an option.”
The report’s findings come two years after the state government allocated $50,000 for Wyndham council to conduct a study into an Indian precinct, and $500,000 to construct the precinct. The report will go to multicultural affairs minister Robin Scott for consideration.
