Tara Murray
Brimbank council has launched a campaign seeking assurances that Brimbank won’t be forgotten about in the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, as more details about the project emerge.
Expressions of interest for construction of the first stage of the rail link were recently opened, with the scope of works to be undertaken revealed.
The plans include a new bridge over the Maribyrnong River and elevated twin tracks between Sunshine and Albion Junction.
There was no mention in of the Sunshine Super Transport Hub in the plans.
The works at Sunshine station will include a new accessible pedestrian concourse that will enable transfers at either end of the platforms. More lifts will be built at the station.
At Albion station, there will be upgrades to the carpark and forecourts.
At last week’s council meeting, mayor Ranka Rasic launched a campaign calling for the state government to reconsider the Albion flyover, to redevelop Sunshine station into a regional super hub and reconstruct Albion station.
As part of the campaign, the council will launch a petition and request an urgent briefing from the state government.
The council is also seeking the electrification of the Melton and Wyndham rail lines.
Cr Raisc said they were seeking to ensure that the government keeps its promises to the community.
“We are concerned that the scope of the airport rail project has been getting ever smaller,” she said.
“A state government press release… foreshadows a much reduced scope of works than what was first promised by premier and the minister for transport infrastructure when they stood in Sunshine in 2018 announcing the airport rail project.
“We are concerned significant improvement to both Sunshine and Albion stations will not be part of this project, and this $30 billion plan is about funneling people and businesses between the CBD and the airport, which the premier promised he will not do.
“We are concerned that instead of making Sunshine a destination, Sunshine is being made a turnstile and Albion is literally being overpassed.
“We are concerned that this project is about commuters, not communities.”
State Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said more information on key elements of the project will soon be shared publicly, with feedback to be sought as part of the next phase of engagement.
“Melbourne Airport Rail Link will play a critical role in Victoria’s plan to transform Sunshine into a transport super hub,” she said.
“Together with the Metro Tunnel, Geelong Fast Rail and Western Rail Plan, we will be delivering more trains more often and provide connections to jobs, health and education services.”
