As part of the Sunbury Community, Arts and Cultural Precinct, Hume City Council is hosting an open door studio on Tuesday 9 April (2pm to 7pm) at 20 Boilerhouse Rd, Sunbury (Building 22, former Women’s Refractory Building).
It is a chance for the community to visit and offer feedback to its architects – which are helping to complete the draft concept design for stage one of the $8.5m project.
Visitors are invited to take a picnic rug and enjoy coffee and snacks which will be available to buy. Children are welcome to join in by taking part in art activities.
The Sunbury Community Arts and Cultural Precinct is a significant project for the area, which is a shared priority for Hume City Council and the Victorian State Government, states the council.
In 2019, the Victorian State Government announced $3 million worth of funding towards the delivery of stage one works at Jacksons Hill on top of $3 million already committed by Hume City Council.
Jacksons Hill is an integral part of the Sunbury community. The 32 hectare site holds significance to its traditional Aboriginal owners and its redbrick buildings have historically been used as for a variety of purposes, including a mental health facility and a university – which closed some years ago.
Project background
The Jacksons Hill site was previous owned by Victoria University. The State Government purchased the land and developed a master plan to guide the re-purposing of the former uni campus.
The plan divides the area up into different precincts for a range of uses including residential development, commercial activity, education and training as well as arts and culture.
The original area ear-marked for the arts and cultural precinct includes four buildings – (Buildings 18, 19, 20 and 21).
In 2022, Hume City Council signed a lease for a near-by parcel of land which houses two buildings – Building 22 the former female refractory ward and building 24.
During 2023, council undertook preservation and clean up works on Building 22 and the surrounding grounds to get the space ready for the community to come and visit Lot C.
The works included roof and chimney repairs, securing guttering, drainage upgrades, weather and pest proofing the building, mowing and cleaning up overgrown vegetation.
The Vision for the Precinct
In 2014, with input from community and stakeholders, council developed and endorsed a vision for the Sunbury Community, Arts and Cultural Precinct.
In October 2023, it undertook community consultation which indicated the vision was still on the right track.
The following project principles were also endorsed to ensure we achieve the vision:
1. Preserved and Enhanced Buildings
- Retain heritage values
- Restore and enhance the capabilities of the buildings
- Ensure maximum use of all the buildings
2. Expanded Programs and Activities
- Build on the strengths of existing arts and community activities
- Expand the breadth of activities at the site
- Provide for current and future changing community needs
- Consider complementary commercial uses
3. Community Involvement
- Ensure community is involved in planning, delivery and future operations of the precinct
- Ensure the site serves a broad and diverse range of people across age groups and cultural backgrounds
4. Creating a Sense of Place
- Create a unified identity for the precinct
- Value and celebrate the heritage and history of the precinct
- Acknowledge Aboriginal history of the area
- Enhance the natural assets at the precinct
- Improve the access to and around the precinct
