Indian Community Centre EOI in Melbourne's south-east

The Allan Labor Government recognises the importance of having safe, accessible and culturally appropriate spaces to gather and celebrate heritage and traditions.

We know that having dedicated spaces to come together, allowing for celebrations of unique culture and tradition, is essential to the health and wellbeing of all Victorians.

Our culturally diverse communities make significant social, economic and cultural contributions to our state, including Victoria’s Indian community.

Supporting culturally diverse communities to create and maintain their own spaces and facilities helps to build community connection, share cultural understanding, and foster a more inclusive society.

Since 2014, the government has invested more than $96 million to deliver over 590 multicultural infrastructure projects, benefitting thousands of Victorians and strengthening the connections that underpin our diverse communities.

Victoria’s Indian community is incredibly diverse, with people from many different cultural, linguistic and faith backgrounds. We encourage applicants to consider this diversity in their proposals and put forward plans for a community space that is inclusive, welcoming and accessible to all.

I invite Indian community organisations to express their interest in establishing a community centre in Melbourne’s south-east.

Recognising the Indian community in Melbourne’s south-east, this community centre will provide a safe space, focused on the distinct cultural needs of the community.

We are proud to support our diverse communities by investing in community infrastructure. I encourage Indian community organisations to apply for this opportunity.

Ingrid Stitt MP
Minister for Multicultural Affairs

By 2050, Melbourne is expected to reach a population of 9 million which is comparable to London today. The question for Victoria is not whether we grow, but how we grow well. That’s why projects like the new community centre for the south-east and the Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative are so vital. They reflect our commitment to creating and supporting connected, inclusive and thriving communities – places where people want to live, work, and visit.

First launched in 2006 by the Labor Government, the Revitalising Central Dandenong project is backed by a $290 million investment from the Victorian Government. The project is expected to attract over $1.2 billion in private sector investment, create around 2,600 construction jobs, and deliver approximately 5,000 ongoing jobs.

Development Victoria is leading this work in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong, government agencies, and industry – including Melbourne-based developer Capital Alliance. The draft masterplan outlines a bold and inclusive vision for:

• At least 470 new homes
• Improved public realm and community areas, including a dedicated 700sqm of community hub space within the New Little India Precinct
• A hotel and conference centre, office and commercial spaces, and a vibrant urban brewery and entertainment district
• Retail, education, medical facilities, a cinema, and dining options

To preserve and celebrate the area's rich cultural identity, the project will also feature a brand-new Little India precinct – delivering modern facilities and improved spaces for tenants, visitors and the broader community.

Development Victoria is now inviting Indian community organisations interesting in establishing a new community centre in the south-east to apply to fit out, lease or purchase the 700 square metres of community hub space within this exciting new precinct in the heart of Dandenong. The new community hub will be another exciting step in transforming the heart of Dandenong into a vibrant, dynamic and culturally rich hub for generations to come.

Hon. Harriet Shing MP
Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts

Objective 1

To identify a lead Indian community organisation that has suitable capability, capacity and wants to develop, build and manage an Indian community-specific community centre to be located in Melbourne’s south-east.

For Objective 1, if a suitable organisation can be identified, they will be offered up to $2.4 million towards the infrastructure costs of their proposed project.

For further details see EOI details and requirements specific to Objective 1.

Objective 2

To support the Revitalising Central Dandenong precinct project in early conceptual work for a planned Indian Community Centre – shaping the future centre’s facilities and helping to identify a lead Indian community organisation as operator.

A community centre is master planned within the Revitalising Central Dandenong precinct which is a Development Victoria major project. Capital Alliance is the lead developer for Sites 11 to 15 in the major project where the community centre will be located.

Organisations interested in Objective 2 are asked to provide their concept proposal, share their proposed requirements for the centre and nominate their interest in becoming the leaseholder or purchasing the centre.

Planning for the centre currently indicates one or two “retail-like” units with a floor area of 300 to 700 m2. The selected organisation will pay for the design and fitout of the facility which will be provided as a cold shell unit by Capital Alliance.

Capital Alliance, the developer and landlord, is looking for an organisation to take on the purchase or long-term peppercorn lease of the new facility once building is complete.

For further details see EOI details and requirements specific to Objective 2.

Two-stage approach

Stage 1

Stage 1 is an open application for all organisations that meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants in this stage need to demonstrate a basic project outline, the readiness and feasibility of their project, and provide documents to support and validate their application. An assessment process will then be undertaken by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (the department) resulting in one recommended applicant or a shortlist of recommended applicants for Objective 1 being invited to proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2

Stage 2 will be invitation only, for Objective 1 shortlisted applicants who passed the eligibility and merit assessments of Stage 1. Applicants in this stage will need to demonstrate more detailed project readiness and feasibility and provide additional supporting documentation. Applicants will progress through a second assessment process, including an expert review panel, before final recommendations are provided to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

The department and Development Victoria will share access to all Objective 1 and Objective 2 application data.

EOI principles and preferences

The EOI seeks to identify projects which meet the following principles and preferences – but alternative options put forward may also be considered:

• Projects proposing “whole of Indian community” access to the community centre – in favour of preferenced access to a single language, faith or cultural group
• Projects proposing new construction or extension to an existing facility – in favour of renovating but not extending an existing space / facility
• New or initial project concepts - in favour of projects already commenced (unless the commenced project closely fits the other EOI preferences)
• Community led and managed projects - government is not the sole funder and only a minority, starting funder
• The identification of one most-suitable applicant organisation and project to be offered funding – in favour of splitting the available funding between more than one
• The target applicants are Indian community organisations, but flexibility may be offered to a different entity type if a close fit to the EOI and preferences can be achieved.

How 'ready' does your proposed project need to be?

The department understands that community facilities such as community centres are important to organisations and their communities. These facilities also require very significant, ongoing community member commitment, financial and professional contractor resources to plan for, build, maintain and operate the facilities successfully.

The department also understands that Indian community organisations and their communities across the south-east may be at different stages of community scale, demand and need. They may already have existing facilities or may still be working towards achieving their first facility. In 2025, potential projects could be at the discussion, conceptual, planning or even construction or fit out stages

For the purposes of this EOI, the department is seeking a project ready to start physical works within a reasonable time frame – for example, within a year.

Stage 1 of the EOI tests the readiness level of applicants across a mix of factors including public commitments, financial, scale and current stage of development proposals.

Recognising that your organisation and project proposal will likely have a mix of strengths and weaknesses, and that it will be competing with others, we invite you to apply.

Objective 1

Funding available

If a suitable organisation can be identified, they will be offered up to $2.4 million towards the infrastructure costs of their proposed project.

Matched and additional funding requirements (Objective 1 only)

The successful applicant(s) will be required to contribute a minimum equivalent amount in matched funding to the construction of the community centre (50% grant : 50% applicant funding contribution) and then the applicant organisation will fund any additional project funding requirements). Applicant organisations are also responsible for any costs exceeding the grant and matched funding amounts.

Applicants invited to Stage 2 must demonstrate they can access the matched funding contribution and have a project financial plan when submitting the Stage 2 application.

Objective 2: Community Centre within the Revitalising Dandenong precinct

Funding available

No grant funding is available for this objective.

If a suitable organisation can be identified, subject to forming an agreement with Capital Alliance, the organisation will be offered the opportunity to fit-out the planned community centre and to purchase or lease for the planned community centre at a favourable rate over a long-term period.

Key details

A community centre or community hub-type facility is master planned within the Revitalising Central Dandenong precinct which is a Development Victoria major project.

The Revitalising Central Dandenong precinct developer wants to acknowledge the history and cultural importance of the Little India precinct in Dandenong, with Indian community culture an ongoing aspect of the new development - through the creation of a new Indian community centre and a new Little India.

Organisations interested in Objective 2 are asked to provide their concept proposal, share their proposed requirements for the centre and nominate their interest in becoming the leaseholder or purchasing the centre.

The precinct buildings will be constructed over several years but the community centre is scheduled to be constructed in/from 2027.

For further information see - Revitalising Central Dandenong - Development Victoria and also Overview - RCD.

Capital Alliance is the lead developer for Sites 11 to 15 in the major project where the community centre will be located.

The community centre facility is currently master planned as one or two “retail-like” units with a floor area of 300 to 700 m2 within a multi-storey retail and residential building. Planning approvals are in place.

Capital Alliance and Development Victoria are looking for an organisation to take on the purchase or long-term peppercorn lease of the new facility once building is complete.

Objective 2 is focussed initially on understanding the design and fit-out preferences of the Indian community, to ensure the centre is a good fit for Indian community needs.

Organisations which nominate to participate in Objective 2 must provide information on the services and facilities they consider to be essential for a successful Indian community centre and must provide a concept proposal outlining their required fit-out, design layout and services requirements to support Capital Alliance in understanding the parameters in moving from a cold shell to a fitted out facility and how best to fit the centre into the larger development.

Organisations should also include the range of anticipated activities and anticipated financial and operating model in the concept proposal.

Nominating organisations should also have suitable capability, capacity and resources to undertake the fit-out and operation of the planned Indian Community Centre.

Following further selection discussions with Development Victoria, if a suitable organisation can be identified they will have the opportunity to negotiate directly with Capital Alliance.

The selected organisation will pay for the design and fitout of the facility which will be provided as a cold shell unit by Capital Alliance.

As the facility is yet to be constructed, the selected organisation may wish to contract Capital Alliance directly to provide the fit-out or to work with a third-party contractor.

The same eligibility requirements apply to all applicant organisations and projects.

To be eligible to participate in the EOI all eligibility requirements must be met.

Your application must:

• meet the organisation eligibility criteria
• include only eligible grant activities that align with the EOI for the Indian Community Centre in Melbourne’s south-east program objective
• submit all mandatory documents
• meet matched funding requirements
• have no outstanding reports to the department
• not be the responsibility of another ministerial portfolio (such as health or education)

Only eligible applications will be merit assessed and considered for invitation to Stage 2.

Objective 1: specific eligibility

Applications to the program objective 1 must be for the extension of an existing facility owned by the applicant organisation, or construction of a new facility on land already owned by the applicant organisation.

The intended project location should be within the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of: Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong or Kingston.

Objective 2: specific eligibility

For objective 2, the location is fixed in central Dandenong.

The planned Indian Community Centre is master planned for construction within the Revitalising Central Dandenong precinct.

Applications to objective 2 must support early conceptual work for the planned Indian Community Centre and nominate to operate the centre.

Who is eligible to apply for a grant/the EOI?

Organisation eligibility

Your organisation must:

• be an incorporated legal entity registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) or incorporated through an Act of Parliament
• have a current Australian Business Number (ABN) matching the applicant organisation’s name
• be a not-for-profit Indian Community Organisation which you must confirm by showing that your organisation is either:
• registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, or
• registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria as an incorporated association, or
• a social enterprise with a clearly stated purpose or mission related to supporting Indian communities in Victoria (Social enterprises must attach their constitution, rules or governance documents with their application).

Who is not eligible to apply for a grant?

Organisations that are not eligible for Expression of Interest for the Indian Community Centre in Melbourne's south-east program include:

• any organisation which is not an Indian community organisation
• unincorporated legal entities
• individuals and sole traders
• organisations that:
  • are commercial or set up to make a profit (except social enterprises)
  • have not complied with the terms and conditions of previous grants
• groups whose activities sit in another ministerial portfolio (such as health, education or sport and recreation)
• public companies limited by shares (unless a foundational document can prove not-for-profit status)
• commercial enterprises
• local government authorities (LGAs) including LGA-managed, operated, administered, and regulated trusts
• TAFE institutes and universities – excluding community language schools that are eligible
• registered pre-, primary and secondary schools.

A grant funding offer will not be made until the EOI process has completed.

If a suitable organisation can be identified, they will be offered up to $2.4 million towards the infrastructure costs of their proposed project.

Eligible activities

Eligible infrastructure costs, in order of EOI preference, will include:

• construction, trades and works to create a new community facility
• significant renovations / remodelling or upgrade works on an existing community facility including:
  • alterations, extensions or internal remodelling to improve accessibility or create new rooms, kitchen or bathroom replacement.
  • outdoor areas such as permanent staging
• project management costs paid to a professional contractor (using up to 10% of the total grant amount requested) – these require a quote from a professional consultant and cannot be from a staff member or volunteer of your organisation.
• late-stage town-planning related works – but only if a planning application has already been lodged

Ineligible activities

Grants funds cannot be used for the following:

• projects that do not align with the aim of the EOI to create a community centre
• project locations outside the target LGAs
• the purchase of:
  • land, property and/or buildings (project proponents must already own and not lease the land)
  • unfixed, mobile or transferable assets
  • assets, materials and products from overseas suppliers (contractors must be based in Victoria)
• leasing of properties / buildings
• already completed or partly completed projects, works or activities
• contingency costs for the project
• planning permit and building permit application fees or tribunal costs
• projects that have previously received funding from Multicultural Affairs or the department; for example, if your organisation received funding in 2021 to construct a community hall or centre, you cannot apply for more funds to complete the same community hall or centre
• projects for infrastructure, facilities or land that is privately owned and not accessible by community members (community infrastructure facilities must have public access)
• organisations or projects that are the responsibility of another ministerial portfolio
• projects advancing political activities
• projects advancing religious activities (for example, infrastructure exclusively used for worship – to be funded, it must be open for wider community use)
• recurrent or ongoing costs (such as rent and utilities, staff salaries / volunteer payments, building maintenance)
• inappropriate use of public funds that don’t match the EOI objective or Victorian values.
• projects advancing religious activities (for example, infrastructure exclusively used for worship – to be funded, it must be open for wider community use)
• recurrent or ongoing costs (such as rent and utilities, staff salaries / volunteer payments, building maintenance)
• inappropriate use of public funds that don’t match the EOI objective or Victorian values.

Stage 1 documents

Mandatory documents

The following documents are mandatory. They must be included for your application to be eligible.

Readiness documents — attach if available

The following documents are not mandatory but you should attach them if they are available as doing so will likely improve your assessment score.

It is not anticipated that applicants will have all or even some of these documents.

Providing any of these documents assists the department to assess your organisation’s and your proposed project’s level of readiness but the assessment process also considers a broad range of other criteria.

Stage 2 documents

Mandatory documents

The following documents will be requested if an applicant organisation is shortlisted / invited to participate in Stage 2 of the EOI.

Optional documents

You may opt to attach further supporting documents to strengthen your application such as a letter of support or your organisation’s current calendar of activities.

You will also be asked to attach any updated documents you may now have related to the “Readiness documents” above. For example, a copy of a planning application may not have been available when Stage 1 applications close, but it may become available before the closing date of Stage 2.

How assessments are processed

All Stage 1 applications will undergo eligibility assessment and then merit assessment.

Stage 2, shortlisted applications will undergo a further merit assessment

Stage 1 documents

Mandatory documents

The following documents are mandatory. They must be included for your application to be eligible.

Optional documents — attach if available

The following documents are not mandatory but you should attach them if they are available as doing so will likely improve your assessment score.

It is not anticipated that applicants will have all or even some of these documents.

Providing any of these documents assists the department to assess your organisation’s and your proposed project’s level of readiness but the assessment process also considers a broad range of other criteria.

You may opt to attach further supporting documents to strengthen your application such as a letter of support or your organisation’s current calendar of activities.

How assessments are processed

All applications will undergo eligibility assessment and then merit assessment.

Steps to remember

Read these EOI guidelines carefully and:

• make sure your organisation and project meet the eligibility criteria before you start an application.
• if you have any questions about your proposed EOI response, proposed project or the application process, email the Multicultural Affairs Infrastructure and Strategic Projects Team: multicultural.infrastructure@dpc.vic.gov.au

How to apply for the objective 2 opportunity

You must complete all mandatory questions.

Objective 1 and Objective 2 have separate, different application forms.

At the Budget part of the application form, you should enter the estimated costs for the project.

Questions and assistance

To support organisations considering an application and to ask any related questions, the department team is available for Teams meetings which you can arrange by contacting

Multicultural Affairs Infrastructure and Strategic Projects Team(opens in a new window).

Submitting your application

You must answer all the questions. Incomplete applications will not be eligible.

Submit all the mandatory documents. If you do not include all the mandatory documents, your application will be ineligible.

Submit your application by completing the online application form:

Apply on Grants Gateway

The Grants Portal closes 17 September 2025 at 3pm. All applications must be completed with all attachments attached and uploaded before 3pm.

Late applications cannot be accepted.

You will be notified of the outcome of your application once all applications have been assessed.

How to strengthen your application

Applicants can strengthen their applications by responding carefully to all questions in the application form and providing strong evidence of both the need for the project and the expected benefits and outcomes from the project. High scoring applications are likely to:

• Answer all questions, using data to strengthen their response
• Describe how community members will use the community centre and what benefits they will gain from doing so
• Provide all the mandatory documents (only applications providing all the mandatory documents will be assessed)

Successful application(s)

If your organisation’s EOI Objective 1 / Stage 1 response is reviewed as recommended for further consideration, you will be invited to participate in Stage 2 of the EOI by the department.

If your organisation’s EOI Objective 1 / Stage 1 response is reviewed as not recommended for further consideration, you will be advised of the application outcome before Stage 2 of the EOI opens and application feedback will be available for your organisation.

If your organisation’s EOI Objective 2 / Stage 1 response is identified as for further discussion or consideration, you will be contacted by Development Victoria.

The department and Development Victoria reserve the right to negotiate directly with applicants identified in Stage 1 and not proceed to Stage 2.

Need more information or help?

For more information, email or phone

• multicultural.infrastructure@dpc.vic.gov.au (an email will reach the team directly)
• 1300 112 755 during business hours (a phone call will reach the call centre)