A group that hopes to turn Sunbury’s former Victoria University campus into a thriving community hub has been buoyed by talks with state MPs.
Skills and Training Minister Steve Herbert and Sunbury MP Josh Bull toured the historic Jacksons Hill precinct with members of the Sunbury Asylum Alliance last Friday.
They discussed the group’s plans to attract jobs training, youth programs and artists, to offer accommodation and tours and bring new businesses to the site, which was the historic home of Sunbury’s 19th century asylum for people deemed to be ‘mentally impaired’.
Parts of the site, vacated by VU in 2011, are already used by community groups, including radio station 3NRG and Boilerhouse Theatre Company.
Alliance member Alison Cunningham said the group wants to preserve the unique buildings while providing much-needed youth facilities and attracting visitors to town.
‘‘Whatever goes up there will have to pay for itself and for the restoration of the site as well,’’ she said.
“There’s a lot of potential for things like a multiversity, training restaurant and living museums. There’s not a lot of places like this left … it has some very unique features.”
Ms Cunningham said the group hoped to secure government support before seeking grants and philanthropic funds to buy the site.
Mr Bull also visited Sunbury Community Health with Health Minister Jill Hennessy to discuss funds for new public dental equipment.
