Overview
Forming part of Lord Mayor Nick Reece's 2024 election campaign, work on a proposed $10 million Little India precinct has continued to bubble away. With Docklands earmarked for the proposal, it's now closer to becoming a reality following an additional $1.2 million being allocated to progress the project in the latest City of Melbourne draft budget.
However, not everyone is a fan of the plan, with some Docklands locals stressing that the precinct's funding could be better put towards addressing Docklands' ongoing planning failures. While the City of Melbourne argues that the Little India project will deliver infrastructure improvements, public realm upgrades, creative projects and multicultural activations, residents believe that its cost sends the wrong message when significant everyday issues remain.
Aagaman Indian Nepalese Restaurant. Credit: Supplied.
As reported by The Age, Docklands residents like Henry Macedo spoke out at a recent City of Melbourne council meeting, highlighting the need for practical investment, not another branding exercise. "We live with harsh wind tunnel conditions, limited greenery and shade, wide roads that prioritise movement over people and inactive streets that discourage community life," said Macedo.
And while many speak of the precinct helping to bring people together and offer a window into the vibrancy of Indian culture, others, like Docklands resident Grace Whaung, are concerned the precinct's branding risks marginalising "the broader community in favour of promoting a singular cultural identity."
City of Melbourne's announcements about the Little India precinct have also been met with an online racist backlash, according to The Age, with the council turning off its social media comment sections after they were inundated with bigoted and derogatory content. In response, Reece said, "Diversity is Melbourne's strength, and racism has no place here."
Melbourne is home to Australia's largest Indian population, with an Indian-born population of almost 250,000. Meanwhile, 2021 Census data shows that around 15 per cent of Docklands residents were born in India. In October 2024, Docklands' Marvel Stadium hosted Melbourne's largest-ever Diwali festival, drawing an estimated 20,000 attendees and highlighting why the City of Melbourne sees Docklands as the precinct's ideal location.
Aagaman Indian Nepalese Restaurant. Credit: Supplied.
While a specific spot for the precinct in the suburb has yet to be determined, 15 community organisations and associations have been consulted as part of the council's plan. And following the successful launch of other cultural hotspots, Reece is confident the Melbourne community will embrace Little India, just as it has Chinatown, Little Italy, Lonsdale Street's Greek precinct and, most recently, Koreatown on Healeys Lane.
"In some ways, I'm surprised that it's taken Melbourne this long to come up with a Little India idea. But I can tell you I'm very proud to be the Lord Mayor who's going to deliver on it," said Reece to SBS Hindi. What's more, Reece hopes India's PM Narendra Modi will attend the official opening of Little India once the precinct is ready to be unveiled.
Head to The Age for more information.
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Top image: Little India in Singapore.