The Victorian Government has announced a major boost for Victoria’s Indian community, with new funding to support the creation of culturally inclusive community centres in Melbourne’s west and south-east.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt revealed that expressions of interest are now open for Indian community organisations to apply for grants of up to $2.4 million per centre. These centres will serve as vibrant hubs for cultural celebration, connection, and belonging.
🏠 Spaces That Reflect Diversity
Victoria’s Indian community — the largest Indian-born population in Australia with over 370,000 residents — is richly diverse, encompassing a wide range of languages, faiths, and traditions. The new centres aim to reflect this diversity by offering welcoming, accessible spaces for all.
Minister Stitt emphasised the importance of these initiatives:
“Victoria is proudly home to the largest Indian-born community in Australia – and we’re making sure Indian Victorians have the spaces they need to connect, celebrate and thrive.”
🛍️ Little India Precinct: A Cultural Landmark
The announcement builds on the Labor Government’s broader support for multicultural infrastructure, including the Revitalising Central Dandenong Project. This landmark development will deliver a new Little India Precinct featuring:
- Up to 470 new homes
- 2,500 square metres of community space
- A supermarket and food market hall
Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing noted:
“We’re building vibrant, inclusive precincts like Little India in Dandenong, and helping Victoria to grow well by creating homes, jobs and community spaces that reflect and support our rich diversity.”
🤝 Strengthening Ties with India
Premier Jacinta Allan’s visit to India in September 2024 — her first overseas trip as Premier — reaffirmed Victoria’s strong ties with one of its most important community and trade partners.
Expressions of interest for the new community centres are open from 6 August to 17 September 2025. For details on how to apply, visit the Victorian Government’s community centre EOI page.
New Community Centres to Strengthen Indian Connections Across Victoria added by Indian newspaper Sydney on
View all posts by Indian newspaper Sydney →