Momentum for the Greek precinct

Kostas Nikolopoulos and Alexandros Logothetis

THE revitalisation of the Lonsdale Street Greek precinct is gaining momentum after a meeting that took place last week between the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne Victoria (GOCMV), Bill Papastergiades and businessman David Yu. Yu owns several properties on Lonsdale St. four of which were leased out to Greek Australians and their leases were not renewed.

As reported in NKEE a number of times, concern was expressed by the GOCMV over the declining Greek character of the street. As a result of the meeting last week between Yu and Papastergiades there was agreement on working cooperatively. Businesses with a Greek themes or orientations are strongly encouraged to express interest in leasing Yu's properties. In turn he will allow the GOCMV to play a key role in assessing applications for tenancies in his four stores.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Melbourne John So expressed his commitment to the revitalisation of the Lonsdale Greek precinct. "Our priority should be the development of the Greek precinct in order to bring back Hellenism to the historical centre of Melbourne," said Mayor So to Neos Kosmos. He added that an amount of $16 million has been earmarked for the development of three cultural precincts, namely the Chinese the Italian and the Greek.

The GOCMV has informed Mayor So of its plans to develop the community building to house the Greek Consulate, Hellenic banks and other Hellenic services. According to the Mayor of Melbourne the plans for the embellishment of Lonsdale St. will take final form in two years. Responding to a question regarding the creation of the Agora on Lonsdale, Mayor So said that it is one of the options being discussed with the state government and the GOCMV. However, he underscored the difficulties of such a proposal as it entails expropriation of a specific space.

Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Nicholas Kotsiras is questioning the Victorian government's plans to finance the revitalisation.

"I ask the Premier to investigate what has happened to the $8 million that this government promised as part of the Cultural Precincts Enhancement Fund. According to the 2007-08 budget papers, $1 million was to be spent in 2007-08. With just two months to go, people are asking where this money has gone," said Kotsiras.

"I ask the Premier to investigate how much has been spent to date and what this money has been spent on because, the $1 million the government promised to spend in this financial year would have bought many tiles - if someone were to walk into Bunnings and buy tiles... or shrubs or trees," added Kotsiras.

Government spokesman Bill Kyriakopoulos rebuts Kotsiras' claims stressing that "we are in the first year of a three year $8 million program to enhance Melbourne's three iconic cultural precincts, which is already well advanced, with only very nominal and normal funds spent to date on administrative costs." He added that, "following extensive consultation, including with members of the Greek community, there are a number of exciting projects that are currently being assessed. Announcement of the first projects will be made in coming months." Responding to NKEE about specific dates for these announcements Kyriakopoulos could not provide any.

Kotsiras on the other hand is arguing that $1 million has been spent so far on consultants and advisers.

The Victorian Government has not provided a detailed breakdown of money being spent so far, but emphasises that the money is not lost. Sources from the State Government claim that any funds that are not spent in one year could be rolled over to the next years.

As a result of the negotiations between Papastergiades and Yu, the GOCMV is now extending an invitation to restaurateurs and other entrepreneurs with Greek themes and or orientations in their businesses to discuss the renewal of Lonsdale Street.