The next stage of a project to make the inner streets of Sunshine and St Albans brighter and safer has been given another financial boost.
Sunshine and St Albans business associations will share $60,000 from the state government’s Community Safety Fund to help reduce crime. It’s one of seven such grants allocated to Brimbank. One project proposes a Friday night soccer competition near Sunshine railway station involving Melbourne City footballers.
St Albans Business Group Association received $10,000, which will underwrite new security lighting in Alfrieda Lane, while $20,000 will be spent on 10 external lights for shop awnings on Hampshire Road at Sunshine.
Sunshine Business Association president Bruce White said the grants would help make Light Up Sunshine a reality.
Launched in August last year, Light Up Sunshine aims to brighten up and revitalise Sunshine’s CBD.
Mr White said an earlier grant of $20,000 – used for upgrades on Clarke and parts of Dickson streets – had left a positive legacy.
“It’s created an uplift in business, stopped antisocial behaviour,” he said.
“We fixed about 15-odd businesses, every second or third business … it’s had a positive impact.”
Chairman of administrators John Watson said Light Up Sunshine would create a new culture in the CBD.
“The improved lighting and events are helping to create a night-time culture,” he said.
