For the past 60 years, the inner west – especially the suburb of Leichhardt – has been the symbolic heart of Italian migration in Sydney.
Council says that the Italian migrant community has contributed to several industries and influenced the character of our built environment and culture.
During early European settlement, a small number of Italian migrant fishermen, tradesmen and artists called Leichhardt home.
It was between the two World Wars, when the US restricted migration, that a surge of families moved to Australia.
The post-war years saw the greatest influx of Italians migrating to Sydney.
Leichhardt became a meeting place for the community, boasting a range of businesses from real estate and travel agents to financial services, driving schools, law firms, restaurants, cafes and fashion outlets.
In 1933, there were 259 Italian-run shops in Leichhardt.
While in the post-war years Leichhardt provided a social, cultural, economic and spiritual meeting place for Italo-Australians, more recently, Haberfield (the Garden Suburb) has emerged as a thriving hub for Italian family-run businesses.
At the Norton Street Italian Festa last month, community consultation was open to the public, allowing people to express their opinion on the preferred location for Little Italy.
Now, community can submit their opinions online.
Where do you think the heart of Little Italy is?
Drop a pin on the map and share why you think this location is the heart.
Is Little Italy the right name?
Historians and media reports dating back to the 1980s have referred to Leichhardt as Little Italy.
Haberfield has been referred to as the New Little Italy.
Council would like to know if you agree with naming a precinct Little Italy and why or why not.
As part of your feedback, IWC will ask you to create a screen name and provide an email.
Your screen name and comments are public and can be read by other contributors, so be sure to keep your comments respectful.
Your email will be kept private.
The last day to comment is Sunday, November 24, 2019.
Se avete bisogno di un interprete potete contattare il Translating and Interpreting Service al numero 131 450.
To submit your feedback visit IWC’s website.
