Melbourne’s Chinatown will undergo its biggest revitalization in forty years under a re-elected Nick Reece as Lord Mayor, with a major package set to ensure it remains a vibrant and much-loved part of our great city.
Chinatown has a unique place in the shared history of Melbourne – from the migrants who came for the gold rush, and the businesses and restaurants that thrived catering to new immigrants arriving in our city from the 1870s to the present day.
It is a place that is the close to the heart of all Melburnians and the millions of people who visit our city every year, but it has been four decades since it was last significantly upgraded and that needs to change.
That’s why a re-elected Nick Reece as Lord Mayor will invest $12.6 million in a Chinatown Revitalisation package, which will include:
- $10 million for dedicated community-led infrastructure upgrades: Guided by input from the local community, this would include works like improving pedestrian safety and accessibility, enhancing public spaces, and updating the iconic archways and lighting that define the area.
- $1.6 million for the Museum of Chinese Australian History: This investment would go to grants to support the expansion and modernisation of the Museum’s exhibitions, ensuring it continues to be a vibrant educational resource for all Melburnians.
- $1 million for cultural festivals: Over the next four years, $250,000 would be provided annually to support cultural festivals and events that celebrate the Chinese-Australian partnership. These events will not only highlight significant dates like Lunar New Year but also introduce new markets and festivals throughout the year, further integrating Chinatown into the broader cultural life of Melbourne.
We will work hand-in-glove with the Chinese community to ensure that this investment will not only preserve Chinatown’s rich heritage but also inject new life into the precinct, ensuring it continues to be a beacon of Melbourne’s multicultural identity.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Nick Reece:
“Melbourne wouldn’t be the city it is today without the contributions of the Chinese community.
“Melbourne has the oldest Chinatown in the western world dating back to the 1850's and this investment will ensure it continues to be a vibrant, bustling, Chinese precinct for decades to come.
“This package is about more than just infrastructure; it’s about celebrating and strengthening the cultural ties that make our city unique.”
Quotes attributable to Councillor and candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell:
“A revamp and revitalisation of this wonderful precinct is much needed – it will be great for Chinatown, great for the small businesses that make it hum, and great for our city and the millions of people who live and visit here every year.”
Quotes attributable to Councillor and Team Nick Reece Council Candidate Kevin Louey:
“I have spent most of my life being part of Chinatown. It is the spiritual heart of the community where we gather and where all major events are celebrated.”
“This major capital investment will preserve this cultural precinct for our present and future generations as a destination not only for great food, but also as a celebration of Chinese culture.”
