Tara Murray
Passenger connections to rail services was rated the most important aspect of the rail services as part of feedback on the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
A report titled ‘What we heard: Project scope and construction impacts, December 2021, collated feedback from the community from between June and October.
The Sunshine Station transport superhub received the greatest number of comments as part of our engagement.
Locals rated passenger connections to rail services as the most important, with station facilities and transport integration almost tied in second place.
Locals are passionate about Sunshine and would like to see the area revitalised and developed as part of Melbourne Airport Rail.
There is strong community sentiment to ensure any changes to Sunshine Station enable better integration of the local area.
This includes better connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as designing the precinct to enable future developments.
Commuters would also like to see the station facilities updated for existing metropolitan services, as well as for a better travelling experience on the new Melbourne Airport Rail.
Most of the feedback in regards to the Albion quarter was in regards to the design of the Albion flyover, including requests for alternative
designs to be considered.
There was also a strong level of support for some wider precinct improvements to the area.
Safety is another important issue for the community, both in terms of the station as well as for pedestrian and cycling connections.
Locals are enthusiastic about ensuring the Sunshine North shared use overpass provides easy and universal access for pedestrians, cyclists, people with disabilities, parents with prams, and many other users.
The feedback also showed residents wanted the project team to ensure the new bridge over the Maribyrnong River Valley complements the existing heritage-listed rail bridge.
The most common concerns about the new rail bridge over the Western Ring Road were regarding traffic impacts while the bridge is being built, as well as the
potential increase in noise once Melbourne Airport Rail is up and running.
