Photo: Twitter

Brimbank Mayor Cr Lucinda Congreve today met with Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan MP to talk about how we can maximise community benefits – including jobs and education.

“The Sunshine Super Hub is a landmark project that will impact our community for generations to come – but we must act now to ensure that we get the most out of this unique opportunity for our community.

Photo: Twitter

“The Sunshine Super Hub will be a key gateway for both the Melbourne Airport Rail Link and a range of projects under the Western Rail Plan – so it’s critical we get this right for our community as well as for travellers,” Cr Congreve said.

Council has suggested the Victorian Government consider three steps to help realise this goal:

1. Identify the Sunshine Precinct as a Victorian Government ‘Priority Precinct’, to ensure efficient and effective planning, consultation and progress, with a focus on jobs, skills, trade, and investment opportunities.

2. Engage Brimbank Council as a formal partner as part of the Sunshine Super Hub (part of the MARL and Western Rail Plan) Governance Structure – so that Council has a seat at the table to help advise and oversee design, planning and development.

3. Establish a working group to maximise the project’s business, jobs and community outcomes – both during and after construction.

Cr Congreve said Council was excited about the significant potential for this project to benefit not just Sunshine, but suburbs across Melbourne’s west.

“This is a hugely exciting project for the West – the Sunshine Super Hub has the potential to deliver enormous benefits to the local community and beyond,” Cr Congreve said.

Cr Congreve thanked the Minister for meeting with Council representatives and said Brimbank Council looked forward to working with the Federal and State governments to ensure real engagement with the local community, businesses and key stakeholders.

“We must work together to ensure that this new project realises its potential.

“Brimbank City Council is uniquely positioned to work with State and Federal Governments to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

“Council is ready and able to contribute to the development of this project from the earliest possible stage – to deliver the best outcomes for the community,” Cr Congreve said.

Brimbank Council has previously welcomed both the Victorian Premier’s $5 billion commitment to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link with a route through Sunshine, along with the Federal Government’s $5 billion pledge towards realising the project.

Sunshine is a Metropolitan Activity Centre, and part of the Emerging National Employment and Innovation Cluster, designated in Plan Melbourne.