Accommodation, school facilities, a food precinct and a gallery are high on the list of future possible uses as the Victorian Planning Authority builds towards a master plan for Sunbury’s Jacksons Hill.
Performance and event space, a community shed and recreation space are also among uses suggested by nearly 1200 people who responded to a call for community feedback.
The VPA released its community engagement report after months of consultation.
The importance of access and movement, open spaces, a mix of uses, maintenance and security were common themes among responses.
Feedback also identified a strong desire for recognising and preserving the site’s Aboriginal and heritage values and for protection of the site’s heritage buildings.
Future use of the former Victoria University site has been up in the air since the university stopped using it as a campus at the end of 2009.
There has been a community push for the heritage-listed buildings to be retained for education and community uses.
“If the current vandalism continues, there will be nothing left to develop,” said a participant at an ideas workshop in Sunbury.
The VPA is working with Hume council and government departments to develop a draft master plan for Jacksons Hill. State Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the draft plan’s goal would be to protect and enhance what locals love about Jacksons Hill.
“It’s important the community has its say over what is an iconic part of Sunbury,” he said.
“We’ve listened, and now we’ll put together a draft master plan with those views in mind.”
The VPA said the community would have opportunities to comment on the draft plan later in the year.
To see the full report, visit vpa.vic.gov.au.
