Jacksons Hill redevelopment wins national award

Updated on 28 November 2025

The Jacksons Hill site within the Sunbury Community Arts and Cultural Precinct has now won the National Growth Areas Alliance Award for Place & Community Activation in Growth Areas, following its recent shortlisting. This award recognises outstanding efforts to create liveable, connected communities in Australia’s fastest-growing regions.

The precinct continues to evolve, with Artrise, a purpose-built arts facility, set to open in early 2026. This next stage will further strengthen Sunbury’s cultural identity and provide opportunities for residents to connect and create for generations to come.

Original article: Jacksons Hill redevelopment shortlisted for national award

Hume City Council is proud to announce the recent redevelopment of Jacksons Hill in Sunbury has been shortlisted for a National Growth Areas Alliance Award. 

The awards are an annual celebration of local governments that are delivering real outcomes for residents in Australia’s outer suburbs, of which Hume City is Greater Melbourne’s fastest growing. 

Hume City Council was one of 21 local councils shortlisted for the 2025 awards, with the Jacksons Hill project recognised in the category of Place & Community Activation in Growth Areas, which recognises the vital work of turning housing developments into liveable, connected communities. 

The category challenges local councils to promote community togetherness by creating a sense of place and belonging for growth area residents. Jacksons Hill exemplifies this mission, transforming existing infrastructure of the former female psychiatric ward into newly developed spaces for artistic expression and cultural engagement. 

The Sunbury Community Arts and Cultural Precinct at Jacksons Hill brings a new chapter for Sunbury through the creation of a hub that will allow residents to connect and create at the iconic site for generations to come. 

We’d like to thank the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, The Victorian Government, Heritage Victoria, the local arts community, and Sunbury residents for their support throughout the project. 

Quotes attributable to Hume City Mayor, Cr Carly Moore: 

"Being shortlisted for a National Growth Areas Alliance Award is a proud moment for Hume City Council and the Sunbury community as the Jacksons Hill redevelopment was a vision brought to life through collaboration, creativity and a commitment to delivering spaces that truly serve our residents” 

"We are especially proud to be nominated in the Place & Community Activation in Growth Areas category. As one of Greater Melbourne’s fastest-growing regions we are committed to building a city where everyone has the chance to thrive by providing opportunities for creativity and connection.”