Community groups in Sunbury and Bulla are set to benefit with a new fund to support local projects during construction of the West Gate Tunnel.

The $2 million Sunbury & Bulla Neighbourhood Fund has been established by the Andrews Labor Government.

Funding will be offered in two categories – partnerships and grants, and allows not-for-profit groups access to money for projects that bring lasting benefits to the area.

The Transforming Neighbourhoods Partnerships are for projects over $50,000, and will be available for improvements to community, sporting and recreation facilities and the local environment.

The Celebrating Neighbourhoods Grants will have two opportunities. Up to $20,000 will be available for festivals, events and installations that bring local people together, while the Connecting Neighbourhoods grants will offer up to $50,000 for one-off projects or activities that aim to improve community facilities, amenity and participation.

The program has been set up in acknowledgement of the temporary disruption to the Sunbury and Bulla area while soil is being transported during boring of the West Gate Tunnel.

Digging of both the outbound and citybound tunnels is well underway, with tunnel boring machines working their way under Melbourne’s western suburbs to build the alternative to the West Gate Bridge with soil being transported to the purpose-built facility at Bulla

The West Gate Tunnel Project is an essential project for all of Victoria to provide an alternative to the West Gate Bridge, take trucks off local roads and slash travel times from the western suburbs, when the project is complete in late 2025.

The Labor Government is transforming the way people move around Sunbury with the Gap Road level crossing gone for good later this year, and the Sunbury Road upgrade to provide more capacity on one of the area’s most important roads.

Applications for the Sunbury & Bulla Neighbourhood Fund open on July 1. For more details go to – www.westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/sunbury-bulla-fund

Quotes attributable to Member for Sunbury Josh Bull

“Sunbury and Bulla are playing a crucial role in the West Gate Tunnel Project, and we want local communities and neighbourhoods to share in the benefits.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for groups in Sunbury and Bulla to have a project funded and make a real difference to their community.”