Brimbank council is calling on the state and federal governments to fulfill a raft of infrastructure projects that will put the region on the map as the “heart of the west” when developed.
Council will relaunch a refreshed version of its 2021 Transforming Brimbank campaign, which will prioritise the development of the Sunshine Precinct and seek to fast track the timeline for the Melbourne Airport Rail (MAR).
According to a report tabled at last month’s council meeting, the campaign will call on both levels of government to immediately commence works on the Sunshine Station Masterplan and revise the timeline of the MAR project to ensure it’s completed ahead of the airport’s third runway becoming operational in 2031.
Other key transport projects the council wants the state government to focus on include rebuilding Albion Station and constructing a train station at Keilor East.
“Our campaign is necessary to ensure that Melbourne’s west is given the same level of priority as Melbourne’s east,” the report said.
Councillor Virginia Tachos supported the council’s advocacy push.
“We are at the cusp of real transformational projects in Brimbank,” she said.
“[Some] of which would be really helpful for our end of the community … we have a black hole when it comes to public transport.”
A state government spokesperson said the MAR project was originally slated for completion by 2029, but has been pushed back by four years due to compensation-related discussions with the airport.
“Upgrading Sunshine Station is a crucial part of the airport rail project and we have invested $63.5 million into planning for the rebuild of the station, which will unlock capacity for future rail upgrades in the west.”
A federal government spokesperson said the government “remained committed” to the delivery of the MAR.
