Feds clear Sunshine airport route for take-off

Brimbank Mayor Cr Lucinda Congreve welcomed Federal Government backing for the Sunshine route and commended all levels of government for endorsing Sunshine as the best option for all Victorians.

“The fact that the Federal and State Governments, as well as State Opposition, agree that the Sunshine route is the best option for all Victorians demonstrates commendable bipartisanship.

“The Melbourne Airport Rail Link with a stop at Sunshine will deliver critical infrastructure with significant benefits not just for Melbourne’s West, but for residents and businesses across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

“Brimbank Council looks forward to working with Federal and State Governments to ensure that this project delivers these advantages in a way that is also sensitive to our local community and maximises potential benefits.”

Brimbank Council has previously welcomed commitments from the Federal Government and the Victorian Premier of $5 billion each towards building the long awaited rail link from Melbourne to the Airport.

A preliminary business case for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link rated the Sunshine route as 4.3 out of 5 – higher than all of the other options. Melbourne Airport operator Australian Pacific Airports Corporation has also endorsed the Sunshine route as the best way to deliver a “fast, frequent and affordable” airport rail link.

Cr Congreve said Council was delighted that the airport rail link, with a new Sunshine Super Hub connecting regional and metro trains, is now a step closer.

“Council has advocated for the Sunshine route because of its tremendous potential to boost economic development across the West and maximise existing rail connections with metro Melbourne and the whole of Western Victoria.

“This option also has the potential to deliver enormous benefits to our local community, businesses and stakeholders – with a Sunshine Super Hub cementing Sunshine’s position as the CBD of the West.

“Brimbank is the heart of Melbourne’s west, Australia’s fastest growing region which is set to grow to the size of Adelaide by the 2030s,” Cr Congreve said.

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

Cr Congreve said Brimbank Council looked forward to working with the Federal and State governments to engage with the local community, businesses and key stakeholders.

“We need consultation and engagement with our local residents, businesses and other stakeholders, along with considered planning to ensure the hub is connected to the west through an integrated road and public transport network,” Cr Congreve said.

Brimbank Council has asked the Victorian Government to develop an Integrated Transport Plan for Melbourne’s West – one that will allow for comprehensive planning at a local level to maximise the economic, environmental and efficiency benefits of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.