Meet Australia’s newest BIG attraction
Image credit: visitnsw.com
From the Big Banana to the Big Prawn, Australia is a country that’s known for its oddly sized attractions. But plans for a new BIG attraction have a community in Western Sydney divided.
After September elections, Holroyd Council consulted local residents regarding a range of plans to revamp the town centre. One of the ideas that was floated was erecting a Big Bowl of Curry (designed very much in a similar sort of vein to Australia’s other BIG attractions) as a means of creating a landmark at the gateway to Wentworthville and the rest of Sydney’s west.
And it seems like the idea might have some legs! Holroyd councillor Ross Grove was bullish about the idea when asked to comment on plans early in the year by The Daily Telegraph.
“It would fit perfectly with plans for the town centre which will see upzoning of buildings to about 12 storeys or 36 metres, so the Big Bowl of Curry would fit within the skyline,” Councillor Grove told the Sydney paper. “People need to know that they are entering a special and unique precinct. We need a strong landmark that will draw visitors to Wentworthville’s unique offering including a range of cuisines. It will be the gateway to the town centre.”
And on paper at least The Big Bowl of Curry seems as though it would be a good fit for the region. Holroyd has a strong south Asian population, and The Big Bowl of Curry would be a nice nod to the culture of the region in a similar way to how The Big Golden Guitar reflects Tamworth’s country music background or The Big Banana notes Coffs Harbour’s historic economic reliance on bananas.
While nothing for the Giant Bowl of Curry is set in stone yet, some of the business owners around town are talking it up, with business owner Sanjay Patel saying it could potentially attract visitors to areas of Sydney that are further west, to experience the food and culture. Mr Patel also said it would be a good way to create a unique symbol representing the large south Asian population in the area, and noted that other Sydneysiders, “I don’t think anyone would be offended by it - they should be happy because it shows the local council appreciates the contribution of the cultures in the area.”
Councillor Grove told The Daily Telegraph Holroyd should send a message to the rest of the world that Western Sydney had something different to offer, “We always look to Europe but European architecture is like every other suburb in Sydney. Wentworthville doesn’t need old outdated models with European-style awnings - we want something that makes us as unique as the people who live here. We have community spaces and down the track we will look at public art but the community will decide what is right for the area. A large part of the population comes from the subcontinent but I’m also mindful of the history of the area so we need to find something that blends old and new.”
More than 120 residents and business people recently attended two public information sessions to discuss plans for the new town centre. So it might be a while before we actually see a giant bowl of curry as one of Australia’s iconic landmarks, we’re probably closer than we’ve ever been.
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