To support the development of Victoria's diverse communities, the state government has announced funding for 36 projects to benefit various multicultural communities. Of this, $3.5 million will be shared amongst 13 infrastructure projects proposed by the Indian community right across the state.
The money will be used for building, renovation, extension and refurbishment projects at mandirs, gurudwaras and Indian community centres, and will be funded through the Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund and the Indian Community Infrastructure Fund.
Highlights:
- 13 infrastructure projects to share $2.4 million through the Indian Community Infrastructure Fund.
- Mandirs, gurudwaras and Indian community groups in metropolitan and regional Victoria among the 13 beneficiaries.
- $1.1 million to support 23 multicultural groups to upgrade their community facilities.
Out of $3.5 million announced, the amount of $1.1 million will support 23 multicultural groups to upgrade their community facilities, with more than half based in regional Victoria.
A further $2.4 million will support 13 different organisations for their infrastructure projects as part of Indian Community Infrastructure Fund. The funds will be used by these organisations for the refurbishment, construction, renovation or maintenance of their facility.
Some of the organisations receiving funding for upgrades include:
- Albury Wodonga Indian Cultural Centre Ltd (for a new Indian community center in Wodonga)
- Siri Guru Nanak Darbar (to upgrade safety and facilitate better access)
- Sri Durga Arts Cultural and Education Centre Inc. (for a kitchen extension and children's playground)
Harpreet Singh a volunteer at Siri Guru Nanak Darbar gurudwara told SBS Punjabi, “We applied for the funds so that we could renovate and add more facilities to the gurudwara and the Victorian government supported us with the approval of $285,000 as a part of 3.5 million funding announced for Indian community projects in Victoria,"
“We are very thankful to the Victorian government as these funds will help us to support the upgrades to the gurudwara to facilitate security, construction of a car park and to buy storage containers,” he added
Here is a complete list of the organisations receiving the Indian Community Infrastructure Fund.
In the current times where coronavirus has affected almost every job sector, "these funds will help to create new jobs by helping in building, repairing, maintaining, and improving the facilities where multicultural communities gather so everyone feels connected to their cultural heritage in places that are safe, modern and inclusive."
Victoria is a proudly multicultural stateand this success is built on the celebration of our diversity
In a statement Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence said, “
“Victoria is a proudly multicultural state and this success is built on the celebration of our diversity.”
“We know how important it is for multicultural Victorians to have a space to call their own – and that’s as important now as ever.”
“While current restrictions mean we can’t gather in person right now, this funding will help create safe spaces for community members to come together in a COVID-safe way, once we reach the other side,” she added
Neeraj Kalia, secretary at Sri Durga arts/cultural and educational center Inc. told SBS Punjabi, “every week we see a big growth in the number of devotees coming to the temple and to easily accommodate all the devotees during bhandara we needed a bigger kitchen area."
"We are very grateful to the Victorian government for this approval of the funds as it was much needed and urgent to support us to add these extensions to the facility”
“These funds will also support us to build a playground in the facility for kids as suggested by a large number of young devotees and the community,” he added.
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