Community News

Revealed: The best places to move to escape the city but stay connected for commuters

Sunbury

Population: 36,084

Sunbury is located approximately 40km northwest of Melbourne’s central business district, making it an attractive option for people who want to enjoy the benefits of living close to a major city while still having a suburban lifestyle.

For those who need to commute, Sunbury is well-connected to the city via public transport, including train services.

The Calder Freeway also connects Sunbury to the city, making commuting convenient for those who prefer driving.

With its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and a tight-knit community, Sunbury provides a welcoming haven for individuals and families seeking a balanced lifestyle.

The towns main industry is construction and well over half of the residents are families.

Since Covid, the town has been growing with more and more planning permits being approved year on year.

A spokesman for the Hume council said Sunbury is the perfect place to raise a family.

“Sunbury has also become a visitor destination in itself with a range of attractions, cafes, restaurants and historical assets. And compared to some of the inner suburbs of Melbourne, Sunbury generally offers more affordable housing options, making it attractive for families and individuals looking for more affordable living arrangements,” they said.

“Anyone looking to relocate can be assured that in Sunbury they’ll find a strong community spirit, with various local events, festivals, and markets that bring people together. There are also numerous community organisations and clubs where residents can engage in activities and connect with like-minded individuals.”

 

Schools

Sunbury has many different educational options with private, public, primary and secondary schools as well as some alternative forms of education available.

Schools in the area include:

• Goonawarra Primary School
• Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School
• Killara Primary School
• Kismet Park Primary School
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
• St Anne’s School
• Sunbury Heights Primary School
• Sunbury Primary School
• Sunbury West Primary School
• Sunbury And Macedon Ranges Specialist School
• Sunbury College
• Red Rock Christian College
• Salesian College Sunbury
• Sunbury Downs Secondary College

The areas secondary schools offer full VCE and in 2022 performed reasonably well in median study scores and study scores over 40.

Sunbury College: The median study score for this school in 2022 was 28, and 2.2 per cent of study scores were 40 and over.

Red Rock Christian College: The median study score for this school in 2022 was 29, and 7.7 per cent of study scores were 40 and over.

Salesian College Sunbury: The median study score for this school in 2022 was 28, and 2.4 per cent of study scores were 40 and over.

Sunbury Downs Secondary College: The median study score for this school in 2022 was 29, and 2.9 per cent of study scores were 40 and over.

NAPLAN results for the area tended to be in line with scores for children from a similar background.

 

Transport

There is a train line servicing Sunbury that runs to and from Melbourne city, stopping at all major city stations.

Trains depart Monday to Friday every 15 to 20 minutes and on weekends also run to a similar schedule.

This is a great option if you are travelling to work in the city but also if you work in places like Footscray, Sunshine, or St Albans.

On a Monday morning at about 7am, a journey from Sunbury to Flinders St is estimated to take under an hour at just 49 minutes. A trip back at about 5pm on any given weekday is about the same.

There is also the option of jumping on the V-line train at Southern Cross for an even shorter journey of just over half an hour each way.

 

Council Satisfaction

Residents of Hume are asked to undertake a satisfaction survey each year. The most recent available survey shows a satisfaction rating of 3.6 out of five, about the same as previous years.

The top five areas of importance, as identified by respondents were:

– Road conditions
– Household garbage collection, including recycling
– Roadside litter control
– Lighting of public areas

The top five areas of highest satisfaction were:

– Household garbage collection including recycling
– Provision of a range of library services
– Availability of walking and bike tracks
– Library opening hours
– Maintenance of sporting fields and courts

 

Crime

In the City of Hume’s 2020-2022 safety plan 83.8 per cent of respondents indicated that they felt ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ when walking alone in their local area during the day.

40.8 per cent indicated that they felt either ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ walking alone at night.

Crime in the Hume council area did increase in 2023 however, in Sunbury it declined.

Sunbury is the third highest area for crime however, it does have a larger population than other areas in the council.

The crime rate in Hume is just slightly under the average for the state.

Stealing from a motor vehicle and other thefts were the two most common criminal incidents to occur in the council in 2023.

For the year ending 2023 the criminal incident rate per 100,000 population was 5,038.1.

 

Health Services

The Sunbury Day Hospital has been treating patients for more than two years. It provides day medical, day surgical, day chemotherapy and haemodialysis treatment. It also provides a number of specialist clinics.

Broadmeadows and Sunshine hospitals are about a 25-minute drive from Sunbury and the Northern Hospital in Epping is about a 30 minute drive.

Melton, which is about a 25-minute drive, is also set to get a new hospital by 2029.

Sunbury Community Hospital is set to be completed in 2023 and will be a small public hospital offering a range of services including day surgery, specialist appointments and diagnostic services.

There is a plethora of general practitioners available in Sunbury, with a fair amount that bulk bill.

 

Housing

The median house price for Sunbury is $670,000, up 1.5 per cent in the past 12 months.

The median price for a unit or apartment in Sunbury is $480,000, up 1.1 per cent in the past 12 months.

If you’re looking at renting, the average rent for an apartment or unit in Sunbury is $375 a week and for a house is $440.

Lifestyle offerings

Sunbury has lots of green space and parks to enjoy like Apex park and the Village Green.

There are also lots of parks with play equipment as well as indoor play centres available.

Sunbury has many big retailers as well as the big supermarkets.

There are also plenty of sports clubs in Sunbury to become involved with.

The Sunbury region is full of vineyards, native wildlife and a growing foodie scene.

Not far from Melbourne Airport, Sunbury is the perfect spot for those that might have to travel lots for work but still want a quiet, slower lifestyle.

 

This is an extract from an article published in the Herald Sun, Monday 26th June, 2023. Follow the link to read the full, original article: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bass-coast/revealed-the-best-places-to-move-to-escape-the-city-but-stay-connected-for-commuters/news-story/b09c3d848e8f0345e1d7fdd653b1afdc