Tara Murray
new train station is proposed in Keilor East as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link project.
The state and federal governments released the business case for the project on Wednesday, September 21, which will result in trains running between Sunshine and the airport.
The business case revealed new details about the rail link, including plans for a new station.
Moonee Valley, Brimbank and Hume councils had all called for a station to help the growing populations in the area access public transport.
The business case considered possible locations in Sunshine North, the Melbourne Airport Business Park and Keilor Park Drive for the new station as well as Keilor East.
While the station has been included in the business case, there are no immediate plans to build the station, rather just ‘future-proofing’.
Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nyguen recently met with Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll about the construction of a new station.
Speaking before the announcement of the proposed station, Cr Nyguen said the new railway station would provide a massive economic benefit to the north-west metropolitan region and a drawcard for future business investment and employment.”
The case also reveals details about the Melbourne Airport train station. The case assesses a new elevated station at Melbourne Airport as the best solution for passengers as it will better integrate with the precinct and have fewer impacts on planned future developments at the airport.
Melbourne Airport’s ground transport chief Jai McDermott said they had been working with the state government but were yet to agree on a station location or design.
He said Melbourne Airport’s preference has been and remains an underground station, which provides a superior passenger experience, safeguards for future connectivity and is appropriate for Victoria’s international gateway.
Mr McDermott said they backed the plans for a new station to be built in Keilor East saying that adding an extra station in Keilor East would help maximise the benefits of the new link for the local community.
“Despite being one of the largest employment hubs in the state, Melbourne Airport lacks good public transport connections to its neighbouring communities,” he said.
The business case also highlights the scope of works at Sunshine station. On top of the scope of works already announced, the case said there could be additional scope down the track to redevelop the station, build three new regional platforms, a new bus interchange and replace the east-west Hampshire Road overpass.
