UPDATE: Sunbury has officially launched construction on a vital $20 million rail flyover aimed at boosting local housing and infrastructure. The project commenced on 27 October 2023 at Raes Road in Villawood’s Kimberly estate, marking a significant step towards delivering 2,200 new affordable housing lots in the area.
This new bridge will not only facilitate residential development but also provide essential access to three new schools, including the highly anticipated Salesian College campus. Residents can look forward to improved access to sporting facilities, a resort-style residents’ club, childcare services, and a large regional park. Notably, it will also open up a section of Jacksons Creek that has remained closed to the public for over a century.
Sunbury MP Josh Bull was present at the groundbreaking ceremony, emphasizing the project’s importance for the growing community. “This is an exciting milestone for a significant piece of infrastructure that will be warmly welcomed by the ever-growing and developing Sunbury community,” Bull stated. As the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Delivery, he recognized the project’s role in creating new opportunities for local residents.
Villawood Properties is spearheading the construction in collaboration with Hume Council and authorities including VicTrack, Metro, and V/Line. Officials have confirmed that there will be no planned disruptions to train services during the estimated 12 to 18 months of construction.
According to Alan Miller, CEO of Villawood Properties, “This bridge will help the timely delivery of Kimberley’s housing supply to Melbourne’s popular new north-west growth corridor.” He added that the development will create hundreds of jobs and inject millions of dollars into the local economy over the next decade.
Calls for a second rail crossing in Sunbury have been ongoing, with plans to connect Jacksons Hill with Sunbury South and the Calder Freeway. Although this bridge is a separate project, Bull reiterated the community’s focus on expanding essential infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population.
“This is a growing community, and we’ll remain focused on delivering infrastructure to ensure that people can get to and from work and recreation every day,” Bull concluded.
As construction progresses, residents and local businesses are poised for transformation, with new opportunities on the horizon. Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this significant project unfolds.
