Western Australia's culturally diverse communities have received a boost, with the McGowan Government transferring land for a new dedicated Vietnamese Cultural Centre and introducing a $3 million program to upgrade other community centres right around the State.
The State Government will transfer a portion of land adjacent to Girrawheen Senior High School for the development of the new dedicated Vietnamese Cultural Centre.
Bound by Curtis Way and Marangaroo Drive, and approximately 1.7 hectares in size, the site will be transferred to the Vietnamese Community in Australia WA Chapter in conditional freehold providing the long-term security required to progress development plans.
The Vietnamese Cultural Centre will provide a dedicated hub for community activities such as indoor sports, cultural practices, language classes and serve as a meeting place for various local Vietnamese community associations and clubs. It is expected the facility will include an assembly area with staging provisions for entertainment and events, a commercial kitchen, classrooms and exhibition spaces.
The land has been made available as part of the State Government's objective to optimise the use of surplus land for the benefit of the Western Australian community.
More than 21,000 Western Australians have Vietnamese heritage, many of who migrated after the Vietnam War or settled in Perth as skilled migrants and international students.
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) community organisations around the State are also invited to apply for a share in $3 million set aside for refurbishments, maintenance works and upgrades to facilities.
Part of the 2020-21 State Budget, the Community Capital Works Fund (CCWF) will provide grants of up to $250,000 to help address a shortage of appropriate facilities for cultural, social and welfare activities in Western Australia. The initiative will also help diversify the functions of facilities by providing upgrades such as roof and kitchen repairs, lighting and accessibility improvements and building extensions.
Additionally, it will assist with COVID-19 recovery, creating immediate employment opportunities for businesses including architects, engineers, construction trades and manufacturers.
CaLD community associations own and operate a number of venues in Western Australia, providing their communities with dedicated space to practice and celebrate their individual cultures and traditions.
They are utilised for a range of cultural events, social and educational activities such as language schools, seniors' programs and other capacity building initiatives.
The grants are available to CaLD community associations or community service organisations specifically established to provide services for those communities.
Applications for the CCWF open on Monday, October 12 and close on October 23, 2020. For more information, visit https://www.omi.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Our State has one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world and we are a more vibrant community because of that diversity and the opportunities it presents.
"Western Australia also has a strong trade relationship with Vietnam and our proximity to Asia has seen many Vietnamese born nationals choose Perth to live, study, invest and visit.
"I am so pleased to support the work of the Vietnamese Community in Australia WA Chapter and to provide land security for their future development plans and vision for this site, which in a first will provide the Vietnamese community with a dedicated centre it has longed for."
As stated by Lands Minister Ben Wyatt:
"Girrawheen Senior High School sits on a large site, much of which has been surplus for some time and earmarked for future divestment for a use complementary to education.
"The Vietnamese community have established strong links across Perth's north metropolitan suburbs, making a significant contribution to the social and cultural development of our city.
"A community cultural centre is a fitting use of this land, and will help enrich the local community, provide a permanent base for the association and serve as an ideal neighbour for a high school."
As stated by Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Paul Papalia:
"The Community Capital Works Fund is a brilliant initiative to help enhance WA's CaLD community centres so they can continue delivering on positive outcomes for the whole State.
"It is vital to have well-equipped, community operated facilities for community groups to deliver important cultural, social and welfare activities.
"I encourage all CaLD community groups to consider making an application to secure funding as part of this great initiative."
As stated by Girrawheen MLA Margaret Quirk:
"The Vietnamese Community Association are a very active and respected part of our local community and have broad support for their plans to develop a cultural centre.
"We are very excited that they have found a permanent home here in Girrawheen and look forward to enjoying many more cultural celebrations for years to come."
As stated by Mirrabooka MLA Janine Freeman:
"I'm pleased the McGowan Government has been able to get behind local Vietnamese Western Australians and provide this level of support.
"A dedicated centre with multicultural facilities like this really contributes to the proud and diverse make-up of Western Australians."
