Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
12 DECEMBER, 2023
12496404-AV22-21
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
SIG N U P N O W!
Racing legacy continues Macedon Primary School students have raced to the finish line in their annual billy cart races. The race, which has been building over the last decade, included four heats to find the overall winner. Drawing on the inspiration from this year’s Women’s World Cup, The Matildas team took out the top spot. ■ Turn to page 13 for the full story.
The Matildas were crowned Macedon Primary Billy Cart Champions. (Damjan Janevski) 377416_08
‘Hub of the west’ call By Zoe Moffatt Sunbury residents are calling for action to utilise the old Masters hardware store site as a sporting and entertainment facility, as population growth continues to put strain on the town. The site, which sits just off Vineyard Road at 3 Deveny Road, is privately owned and has been empty since all Masters stores closed their doors in December 2016. Partick Esse has lived in Sunbury since 1992 and has been pushing for the empty site to be used as a sporting facility since the start of the year. For him, it’s a no brainer. “The infrastructure is there, all it basically
would require is toilets, amenities and the courts to be laid,” he said. “There’s ample car parking out the front and it would serve Sunbury and Diggers Rest. It’s also situated right on the end of the industrial estate so it’s not going to impact housing. “It would be great for basketball, netball, indoor cricket, volleyball, and it could have a gymnasium.” Mr Esse believes it is a simple solution to help boost infrastructure. “I don’t think Sunbury is prepared for growth. There’s not enough infrastructure in the town, I think it’s sad, Sunbury is a lovely town. “You’ve only got to look at the number of
youth and kids in town… it’s just getting bigger and bigger all the time. If you had a big sporting complex, it could be a hub of the west.” Fellow resident Maggie Loveland said she would like to see the site used as an entertainment centre, especially for dance recitals. “Two of my granddaughters [dance] and their dance schools are forced to go to South Morang Entertainment Centre, Darebin Arts Centre or to the Kyneton Theatre… to do their end of year recitals,” she said. “It’s just ridiculous they have to go so far away, it’s so expensive. We’ve got nothing here in Sunbury. We just seem to be on the
backburner with everything. “It makes it really hard and when Sunbury is growing so much it’s crazy. If you had that facility it would be so much more economical for everybody. “The western side of Melbourne gets left behind in everything.” Mr Esse said he approached Sunbury MP Josh Bull and Hume council early this year about the idea. In May, the Herald Sun published a story regarding Mr Bull’s push for the vacant site to be used for commercial development, including sporting opportunities. ■ Continued: Page 6.
With thousands of projects completed nationwide,
Concept to Clean-up, you can rely on us! “5 star plus delivery of service in a timely manner.”
Your trusted Home Improvement Specialists!
Satisfaction Guarantee
12589482-KG09-23
CDB-L 48045, CB-L 32244
Carports • Pergolas • Decks • Shade Structures
1800 601 674 • info@outsideconcepts.net.au • www.outsideconcepts.net.au
Obligation free quote