‘Perplexing’: Little India’s vision for a grand gate replaced with floral sculptures

2 weeks ago 9

Residents of Sydney’s Little India precinct say they’ve been ignored by the local council after their plan to erect a giant welcome gate to the area was whittled down to a sculpture of flowers on the side of the street.

Buoyed by a large increase in visitors, Harris Park’s Indian community won $3.5 million from the federal government in 2022 to improve the area’s streetscape.

The sign that currently welcomes visitors to the area, on Wigram Street in Harris Park.

Included in the grant, awarded by local member Andrew Charlton, was money for a “gateway” to the area.

Locals were promised a Chinatown-style arch over the main road that signified to visitors they were entering the main area of food, nightlife and culture.

Meeting minutes from the City of Parramatta council this year show a resolution for a “gate”. A media release issued by the council also reported a “welcome gate” had been approved.

An artist’s impression of the new sculptures at Little India in Harris Park, according to a design approved by the City of Parramatta.

But a gate is not likely to appear. Instead, the council has plans for four floral statues to line a street.

“That gate is not just a physical structure,” said Vinay Jhamb, a real estate agent who launched a petition last month calling on the council to abandon its plans for the four statues and instead proceed with the gate. “It’s not just a monument. It resembles Indian community, our culture.

Vinay Jhamb says the flower sculptures are not fit for purpose.

“We see this as a cultural icon. It attracts more people, it attracts community, tourists, as well.”

The design plans also drew the ire of Charlton. “We want a gate that puts Little India on the global map and stands as a source of pride for our local community,” he said.

“Little India is a special place and it deserves a gateway just like Chinatown.”

Parramatta Labor councillor Sameer Pandey said he was also upset by changes to the plan.

“It puzzles me, perplexes me,” he said. “What was presented to the community was a sculpture … a vertical sculpture is very different from a welcome gate.”

Pandey said the flowers in the sculpture plans approved by the council, which were placed on public exhibition last month, were not uniquely Indian.

The concept designs provided to locals by the council refers to the “diverse and Indian cultures” that visit Harris Park while repeatedly using the broader term “South Asian”.

The flower garlands “are symbols of purity, honour, beauty, peace, love and passion”, it reads, highlighting that the flowers selected in the sculptures were significant across Indian cultures.

“The placement of these four sculptures is inspired by the stacking of decorative elements found in many cultural performances and rituals in South Asia. Individually, each of the vertical sculptures represent earth, water, fire and air.”

The council said it was reviewing community feedback on the draft concept design to determine the next steps. 

The Sydney Morning Herald has opened a bureau in the heart of Parramatta. Email [email protected] with news tips.