Victoria govt to fund Hindu temple in Aus

With Hinduismemerging as one ofthe fastest growingreligion inAustralia, Victorian government today announced over160,000 dollars funds fortheupgradation of Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple here.
The Cultural and Heritage Centre also known as Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple was consecrated in 1994. It is said to be thelargest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere.
The Victoria'sMinister for Multicultural Affairs, Robin Scott who visited the temple today said the government will provide over 160,000 dollars funds to the Hindu Society of Victoria to upgrade its Cultural and Heritage Centre.
He said the stategovernment is keen topromotean inclusive society where every Victorian can preserve and share their culture and traditions in spaces of their own heritage.

Under thenew funding from the Labor Government, the driveway and entry points of the Cultural and Heritage Centre will be upgraded and more than 300 car parks will be added on the site.
The new project is also expected tobenefitthousands of Hindus and wider community members from Carrum Downs suburb where the temple is located.

The funding is being provided through the Labor GovernmentsCommunity Infrastructure and Cultural Precincts(CICP) programme which aims topromotegreater use of community facilities by statesculturally diverse communities, increasing their participation in activities, improving access to services and enabling statescultural precincts to remain attractive for cultural and tourism activities.

The upgrades to the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple will help our Hindu community enshrine and share their values of compassion, selflessness, harmony, tolerance and respect, Scott said.
By working together with local communities, we are building a Victoria where everyone belongs, feels accepted and can freely participate and contribute, he added.
Also present on the occasion, the local politician and amember for CarrumSonya Kilkenny said,"Our local Hindu community has been advocating for upgrades to the Cultural and Heritage Centre were listened and were getting it done.
According to latest census, Hinduism had the most significant growth since in last decade driven by immigration from South Asia.

The 2016 census had revealed that over 440,000 Hindus were nowliving in Australia and there was 1.9 per cent growthin Hindu population since 2006.