The Victorian Transport Action Group is calling on the Sunshine part of the Melbourne Airport Rail (MARL) to be paused.
The group released the ‘Let Sunshine Shine with an integrated plan’ last week, setting out its concerns with the lack of an integrated plan to guide Sunshine’s development.
It comes as the state government released the Sunshine precinct opportunity statement, which identifies strengths and opportunities to inform how the local community will live, work, and play in Sunshine into the future.
In the report, the VTAG is calling for work to be paused on the Sunshine – Albion part of the MARL project; for an integrated plan for the transformation of Sunshine in consultation with local community; and the establishment of a place-based governance model to oversee the plan’s development and implementation.
“There is real danger that without an immediate pause to allow the preparation of an integrated plan Sunshine will be overwhelmed by well-intentioned projects that compound existing problems and constraints,” the report said.
“Constraints like the “at grade” Sunshine – Albion rail corridor that divides the city rather than invest in an elevated rail or tunnelled corridor that have been deployed in other centres.
“Without an integrated plan, billions may be wasted by rushing to build and undermining the potential of the Sunshine transport superhub.
“This haste to build puts Sunshine on track to become a nationally significant example of a wasted opportunity for community building and economic development.”
The group believes that Sunshine is uniquely positioned as the best-connected centre in Australia outside of any CBD.
It believes there are a number of issues in the released information and that the community will be divided.
“Pause the proposed letting of MARL Sunshine-Albion package alliance contracts and commence an independent expert review of Sunshine’s current messy policy situation and how to better integrate land use and transport planning.
“Sunshine cannot be developed and reach its full potential without an integrated plan that addresses the current problems of severance created by the at-grade tracks. Appropriate provision for current and future rail projects must take account of the important lessons learnt from successful grade separated rail corridors already built and planned for Melbourne.”
The group also highlights a recent design study at Swinburne School of Design and Architecture which considers both elevating and undergrounding the existing rail corridors to improve the amenity and accessibility of the Sunshine precinct.
A state government spokesperson said delivering Melbourne Airport Rail will slash travel times and provide more trains more often, including at Sunshine.
“The project will create the Sunshine Station transport superhub – which will connect Melbourne Airport Rail, Metro Tunnel, and Suburban Rail Loop.”
Tara Murray
