- Cook Government grants land to Chung Wah Association in Bentley
- Follows provision of $5 million grant to build the new Chung Wah community centre
- Delivering on our election commitment to support multiculturalism in Western Australia
The Cook Labor Government will transfer land in Bentley to the Chung Wah Association to build a new multi-million-dollar community centre.
Premier Roger Cook said the new community centre would better service the current and future needs of the large local Chinese community and other multicultural communities.
The land component is in addition to a $5 million grant already provided by the State Government for construction of the new community centre.
The funding and land allocation delivers on an election commitment to support culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Western Australia.
The new multipurpose community centre will be developed by the Chung Wah Association to extend the reach of their services, which include aged care, community language programs, bilingual daycare and cultural and sporting activities.
The Chung Wah Association is Western Australia's oldest culturally and linguistically diverse association and the largest Chinese community non-profit organisation in the State.
Western Australia's Chinese communities have grown significantly over the past five years, with more than 28,000 Western Australians born in China and more than 116,000 claiming Chinese ancestry.
The funds to build the new community centre will be administered through the Office of Multicultural Interests.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Western Australia's Chinese communities have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of this State.
"The Chung Wah Association has long been the backbone of its community and delivers a range of services such as aged care, community language schools and well-loved cultural events.
"Providing this funding and land delivers on a key election commitment to support multiculturalism in Western Australia and recognises the important work that the Chung Wah Association undertakes to support the community."
As stated by Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Tony Buti:
"The Chung Wah Association, as WA's oldest culturally and linguistically diverse organisation, has been providing essential community services for over a century.
"The $5 million funding and land package by our Government recognises the growing demands on this not-for-profit community association. It will enable the Chung Wah Association to extend the reach of its important services across the metropolitan area.
"Multiculturalism is one of Western Australia's greatest strengths and by continuing to support our vital culturally diverse community associations, the Cook Labor Government is ensuring that this strength is carried into the future for generations to come."
As stated by North Metropolitan MLC Pierre Yang:
"The Chung Wah Association works tirelessly to meet the needs of the community and has an essential role in helping to provide a range of services.
"It also plays an important part in supporting the wellbeing of Western Australia's Chinese community and further embedding cultural ties for the benefit of future generations."
As stated by Riverton MLA Dr Jags Krishnan:
"It is a privilege to support WA's oldest CaLD organisation, the Chung Wah Association, by making possible their dream of a new community centre here in Perth's southern suburbs.
"I am absolutely delighted that the Cook Labor Government has met this important election commitment, providing support to the Chung Wah Association to continue with their incredible role in delivering so many fantastic community services, including aged-care, language education, and sensational cultural events for our local area.
"The new community centre will ensure that Chung Wah can continue to provide these services for many years to come."
As stated by Victoria Park MLA Hannah Beazley:
"Bentley is a dynamic, multicultural suburb, with almost 60 per cent of its residents being born outside of Australia, so it's the perfect home for the Chung Wah Association's Community Centre.
"The Community Centre sits in the middle of the Bentley 360 project and is in synergy with the project's community focus.
"The people of Bentley will benefit from the programs and events that Chung Wah will deliver, and we welcome them to our suburb."
