By Shelby Brooks
The Liberal Morrison Government has promised $12.5m to build a multicultural hub in Pakenham if re-elected.
Listed as a Cardinia Shire Council priority going into the election, the hub would help multicultural communities connect to relevant social, education and support opportunities, greatly assisting in their settlement within the shire.
The hub would be situated in the heart of Pakenham and become a new home for the already established Living and Learning Centre.
Councillors previously said Federal funding would be imperative for the plans to go ahead.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood said he was proud to have secured a commitment for The South East Multicultural and Community Hub, which makes up about a third of the needed funding.
“We have a huge multicultural electorate in the South East, we have so many different community groups,“ Mr Wood said.
“There was never a space big enough for the multicultural community to host their events.“
At the last election, Mr Wood committed $300,000 for the planning, design and a feasibility study for the project.
Mr Wood said the new hub would have a large multipurpose hall for up to 1200 people to host events such as Iftars, Navratri, Diwali and Christmas celebrations, a commercial kitchen and outdoor community garden, a prayer room, Men’s Shed space, recording and radio studio and learning areas for the local homework club.
Miriam Cadwallader, chief executive of the Living and Learning Centre, said it was time for a dedicated multicultural hub in Cardinia.
“We are the pseudo multicultural hub of Cardinia- we have sort of morphed into that, some of that I like to think is because I’m passionate about diverse groups within Cardinia,“ she said.
“We recognise the importance of supporting diversity in the vibrant and growing community of Cardinia. Everyday the make up of Cardinia changes and with that comes needs and wants of that community.
“There are a number of challenges we’ve got [at the Living and Learning Centre]. One of those is that our building is falling apart, we’re patching it up all the time so Jason, a new building would be absolutely awesome.“
Cardinia Shire Mayor Jeff Springfield said the best outcome for the community would see the project delivered, regardless of who’s in government.
“We prioritise the same advocacy pack to all government parties in the hope they will all recognise a need for this and they will all match a similar promise,“ he said.
“It’s great there’s been a commitment to this project, it was one of our highest aspirations. There’s a need for it. We’ve done the feasibility study which outlined the need for a centre like this.“
Mr Wood has also promised funding for the Nar Nar Goon Football and Netball Club and the Pakenham Riding for Disabled.
A re-elected Morrison Government will commit $2.8 million towards the project, Mr Wood said.
The funding will help the club build a new netball pavilion with accessibility improvements, new bathrooms and changerooms and an upgraded canteen.
