The Sunbury BMX Club and Diwali Festival of Lights are just some of the 28 recipients of the state government’s Sunbury and Bulla Neighbourhood Fund.
Grants and partnerships have been awarded to support local projects, acknowledging the disruption caused to locals during the construction of the West Gate Tunnel.
Not-for-profit groups were able to access the $2 million fund via two categories – grants and partnerships – for projects bringing sustained benefits to the area.
Last week, Sunbury MP Josh Bull visited the Sunbury BMX Club, a recipient of a $150,000 Transforming Neighbourhoods Partnership grant, to celebrate funding awarded for improvements to community, sporting and recreation facilities at the venue.
“We’re proud to help local groups and organisations bring exciting and innovative ideas to life – leaving a lasting legacy for the communities of Sunbury and Bulla,” Mr Bull said.
“This area is playing a critical role during construction of the West Gate Tunnel Project, and we want communities and neighbourhoods to share in the benefits.”
The Diwali Festival of Lights scored a Celebrating Neighbourhoods grant of $20,000, as well as the Sunbury Business Association, SunFest and more.
There were 17 recipients of the Connecting Neighbourhoods grants, delivering up to $50,000 for one-off projects or activities aimed at improving community facilities. Bulla CFA brigade received $46,530 and Sunbury Aboriginal Corporation scored $50,000.
Sunbury BMX Club secretary Shawn Hindmash said it was “awesome” to have received the grant.
“It will bring our track up to standard, it will make it safer, it will make it more inclusive,” he said.
“It’s absolutely amazing.”
He said the club had been campaigning for the upgrades for years, so as soon as the Sunbury and Bulla Neighbourhood fund was announced, the group jumped onto it.
“It’s also safer… it’s a great win for the club,” he said.
Details: westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/sunbury-bulla-fund
