In a media release the Andrews Labor governments said it will invest $10 million to upgrade and revitalise business and cultural hubs in Victoria’s multicultural precincts – including in Box Hill, Chinatown, Dandenong, Oakleigh, Elsternwick, Footscray, Richmond and more.
Labor say that the investment will ensure that the state’s multicultural precincts remain “vibrant and that local businesses continue to do what they do best – supporting local jobs and businesses.”
“We will also strengthen planning safeguards to protect our multicultural precincts, ensuring that places Eaton Mall in Oakleigh remain protected for our Greek communities for many years to come,” said the release.
In support of small business in multicultural precincts Labor said it will “invest $5 million to deliver $10,000 scholarships to help train 500 staff to fill jobs in our growing suburbs.”
“There are many business precincts in Victoria that are synonymous with our multicultural identity – this investment will strengthen these cultural hubs for many years to come,” Premier Andrews said in the release.
The support aims to builds on Free TAFE promised to Victorian and to support local jobs and local businesses.
Labor said it will also invest $2 million to support ten peak multicultural traders’ associations to ensure their members have the right access to services they need. This includes the Oakleigh Village Traders Association.
“Victoria is home to a proud and vibrant multicultural community, which is an integral part of our state,” the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence said.