By Tate Papworth
Brimbank council says it will continue to push to have its voice heard as planning for major projects ramps up.
The council has endorsed a draft response strategy to the Western Rail Plan, which includes the airport rail link and Sunshine super hub.
Brimbank mayor Lucinda Congreve said community feedback had been included in the response, which would be submitted to the state government immediately.
“Feedback covered a range of themes, including encouraging jobs and investment, ensuring inclusive and locally responsive design, improving traffic and transport connections, best-practice project delivery and effective stakeholder engagement,” she said.
“This is the start of something big in Brimbank. The Western Rail Strategy includes major improvements to the rail network that transects Brimbank, including building the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.”
The council has unveiled its preferred urban design principles for the Sunshine super hub – with the hope it will pay homage to the area’s heritage.
“In addition to developing Sunshine as a super hub station, these are transformational projects that will only succeed if the needs and aspirations of our community are embedded in project planning,” Cr Congreve said.
There are 10 key urban design principles outlined by the council, including delivering a holistic integrated redevelopment of the station precinct, creating a “sense of place” for the local community with a distinctive character specific to Sunshine, maximising economic development opportunities and retaining, enhancing and expanding pedestrian linkages to the station and across the corridor.
The council is also calling for integration of local and regional cycle connections, engagement with the community as part of the decision-making process and sustainability.
“These projects require extensive community input and we will work hard to make sure the voices of residents, businesses and community groups are heard throughout planning and construction,” Cr Congreve said.
“Our next step is to develop an engagement program to develop a shared vision that articulates our community values and shared aspirations for the Western Rail Strategy in Brimbank.”
