Authority to drive master plan at Jacksons Hill Victoria University site
UPDATE: The Sunbury Asylum Alliance says the community must be heavily involved in master plan discussions for the VU site.
North West
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THE Metropolitan Planning Authority will lead the development of a master plan for the Victoria University site in Jacksons Hill.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne made the appointment while also demanding a whole-of-government approach in creating the master plan.
Mr Wynne confirmed the MPA would work with Hume Council and Victoria University to achieve a “positive outcome”.
CAMPAIGN FOR CONVENT-STYLE HUB
Mr Wynne said the MPA would ensure the historic site would retain a community focus and consultation with the Sunbury community would be an important part of the process.
The move comes after Sunbury state MP Josh Bull tabled a petition of more than 1200 signatures in Parliament in June supporting government protection for the site.
Mr Bull also called for a whole-of-government approach during a speech to Parliament.
“After four long years of inaction the Sunbury community is finally seeing real steps taken to protect this important site for the Sunbury community,” Mr Bull said.
“This government will work to protect the important heritage that belongs to us all, and bring back to life a much loved community asset for the benefit of all.”
Sunbury Asylum Alliance spokeswoman Alison Cunningham said the announcement of a master plan process would stimulate meaningful discussions on the site.
“We have been talking up the possibilities for three years and have had a lot of interest and meetings with people, but until there is a concrete process, you can only go so far,” she said.
“Our aim has always been firstly to get the Jacksons Hill site out of VU hands and into government hands which means then you have lobbying power.”
Ms Cunningham said the community needed to be an active participant as the process progressed.
The alliance maintains the best use of the site is a community-owned and run Abbotsford Convent-style asset.
Hume councillor Ann Potter said the appointment of the MPA to drive a master plan process offered hope to the site, which was falling into disrepair.
“The heritage of the site makes it really important to be maintained,” she said.
“It is falling to rack and ruin at the moment.
“We need all the interested parties from VU, the council, state and federal governments and the community to begin a dialogue.”
Cr Potter said a section of the site, already zoned residential, might be a way to provide the funds to bring the historic buildings back to their original states.
She praised the work done by the Sunbury Asylum Alliance, while revealing her preferred solution would be an arts and cultural precinct, possibly sharing Jacksons Hill will a training organisation.
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