Brimbank council has doubled down on its infrastructure priorities, with its submission to a westwide consultation paper reinforcing its stand on the Melbourne Airport Rail project and the Sunshine Energy Park.
Council recently responded to a draft report put together by the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA) to create a cohesive growth strategy for Melbourne’s west.
WoMEDA released the consultation paper in December 2024, seeking feedback from key stakeholders, which includes the Brimbank, Wyndham and Maribyrnong councils, to identify priorities for the next decade.
In its submission, Brimbank council welcomed the opportunity to collaborate, develop and champion strategies that foster economic development in the area.
It said it broadly supported the direction, issues and opportunities identified within the consultation paper, while also highlighting a range of matters tasked for further consideration by WoMEDA.
These key priorities cover the airport rail link, the Sunshine Energy Park, and the development of an “employment precinct” in Sunshine.
Council’s submission said WoMEDA should “elevate the importance for the state government to urgently recommence works to construct airport rail so it is completed before the third runway at Melbourne Airport”.
These works include the Sunshine Super Hub and Albion Station redevelopments and construction of a new rail station at Keilor East.
“The construction of airport rail is a city shaping transport investment that will deliver significant economic benefits to Brimbank and Melbourne’s west,” the submission said.
“Airport rail is essential infrastructure required to support an airport forecast to service 83 million passengers annually by 2046, which is more than double the current activity levels.”
This consultation paper feedback comes amid council’s ongoing Rail before Runway campaign which is calling on both levels of governments to ensure the rail link is completed at the desired time.
Alongside putting the pressure on the airport rail development, the submission also asked WoMEDA to include the Sunshine Energy Park as a key infrastructure investment, given it could be a “premium parkland” for Melbourne’s west.
It also noted a need for the state government to develop a comprehensive transport strategy for Melbourne’s west.
WoMEDA will release its final strategy in August, after taking relevant submissions into consideration.
By Prealene Khera
