A 20-year dream for a welcome arch at the entrance to Footscray’s Little Saigon quartier is on the verge of being realised.
The Footscray Welcome Arch will celebrate the contribution made by the Vietnamese community to Footscray over decades.
A $420,000 state government contribution was announced on Thursday by multicultural affairs minister Matthew Guy alongside a bevy of election hopefuls.
“The arch will become the gateway to the famous Little Saigon precinct, paying tribute to the generations of migrants who have made Footscray a hub of Vietnamese culture in Melbourne,” Mr Guy said.
Maribyrnong council has offered $300,000 towards the arch and a further $200,000 is being raised by the community.
Maribyrnong mayor Nam Quach said the funding follows 20 years of campaigning for a welcome arch by Footscray’s Vietnamese community.
“You only need to walk down Barkly Street or shop at Little Saigon Market to see the significant connection the Vietnamese community has with Footscray and the city of Maribyrnong more broadly,” he said.
Western region MLCs Bernie Finn and Andrew Wellsbury were at the announcement.
