Melbourne Gives Chinatown A $4.1 Million Makeover

The first stage of a $4.1 million facelift to Melbourne’s iconic Chinese Precinct is complete, with Premier John Brumby today unveiling new entrance archways and cultural themed lighting.

Joining Melbourne’s Chinese community to flick the switch on the project, Mr Brumby said stage one of works provided a major boost to the precinct between Exhibition and Russell Streets.

The works are the latest in a series of projects to be unveiled as part of the Victorian Government’s $10 million Cultural Precincts Enhancement Fund and add to the cultural strength of the area.

“Melbourne’s Chinatown is a place where we can all experience something of the magic of Chinese culture and tradition – from the art, food, architecture to the magnificent festivals and activities, to the Dai Loong Dragon at Chinese New Year,” Mr Brumby said.

“Chinatown is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the western world and its rich history dates back to the early gold rush days of the 1850s. It remains an important social and economic centre for our Chinese Community and is one of Melbourne city’s most popular venues.

“The craftsmanship of the new arches is simply extraordinary and the new themed lighting is going to make a huge difference to the atmosphere of this precinct at night.

“I’m certain it will draw even more people to experience this place for themselves and that’s great for business here in Chinatown and for tourism in Melbourne.”

Chinatown’s character and focus is along Little Bourke Street from Swanston Street to Spring Street, including laneways and alleys which link the area to Bourke Street and Lonsdale Street.

Mr Brumby said new lanterns feature the message: Welcome to Chinatown in Chinese characters and the archways feature traditional phrases in Chinese that translate to Prosperity in the East and A rising sun to be shining in the East.

The Victorian Government has contributed $2.8 million towards the enhancement of the Little Bourke Street precinct and the Melbourne City Council $1.3 million, which will include street beautification projects such as the lighting and archways as well as upgrade works at the Chinese Museum.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the improvements to the Chinatown area recognise and further highlight Melbourne’s cultural diversity.

“Melbourne is the rich and diverse place it is today because of the people from many different cultures who choose to make this city their home,” Mr Doyle said.

“Our Cultural Precincts Enhancement Program provides a significant boost to some of our most iconic areas and cements Melbourne’s identity as the multicultural capital of Australia.”

The project builds on new lighting pillars that were unveiled at the top of Little Bourke Street. A second stage of works will be completed early next year.

Topics: art, Australia, Brumby Labor Government, business, Chinatown, Chinese New Year, Chinese Precinct, community, Dai Loong Dragon, economic development, economic growth, Economy, Festivals, food, Governance, Melbourne, society, tourism, Victoria

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