Officially recognized by the City of Melbourne, the Chinatown Business District Association has secured the right to host the Lunar New Year festival after years of change.
The Melbourne Chinatown Business Association (MCBA), led by president Christina Zhao, received formal approval from council in September that it had successfully bid to host the festival in 2025.
The news represents a victory for Chinatown, which has undergone significant changes in representation starting in 2021 following the abolition of the Chinatown Neighborhood Association (CPA) after more than 20 years.
The CPA was initially replaced by the newly formed Melbourne Chinatown Association (MCA), but this new group lasted only a year as the district's council's preferred trader group.
Although MCBA has since taken over leadership of Chinatown, this year's Lunar New Year festival, to be held in February, was hosted by MCA, which secured the rights to host it in 2023.
MCBA's bid to host next year's festival means the event will return under the auspices of the council-approved district association, which will take over in 2023. Since then, I have been putting more effort into it.
The 2025 event is also expected to receive funding from the state government after former Premier Dan Andrews pledged $400,000 towards the 2025 event as part of his 2022 campaign pledge. .
As trade impacts continue and graffiti and rough sleeping are on the rise since the pandemic, Chinatown businesses continue to push for district renewal, with re-elected Mayor Nick Reese offering huge funding. promised.
As part of their election platform, Team Reese has pledged to invest $12.6 million in a “Chinatown Revitalization” package, the majority of which is made up of $10 million in dedicated community-led infrastructure upgrades. .
A further $1.6 million will be allocated to the China-Australian History Museum to support the expansion and modernization of its exhibitions, while a further $1 million will be spent over four years to support cultural festivals such as Lunar New Year celebrations.
Cr Rees said if re-elected he would work “hand in hand” with the Chinese community to “not only preserve Chinatown's rich heritage but also breathe new life into the area”.
“Without the contribution of the Chinese and Indian communities, Melbourne would not be the city it is today. It's about celebrating and strengthening our connections,” Cr Reece said.
“Melbourne has the oldest Chinatown in the Western world, dating back to the 1850s, and this investment will ensure it remains a vibrant and vibrant Chinatown for decades to come.” •
