Tara Murray
Brimbank council has given in principle support for a Moonee Valley council campaign for an extra train station to be added to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
Moonee Valley council has long campaigned for an additional station to be built within its municipality as part of the project.
The station, which would be called the Western Gateway Station, should be located on the border of Keilor East and Airport West, according to a Moonee Valley council feasibility study.
The location is next to Calder Freeway/Western Ring Road interchange, halfway between the existing Sunshine station and Melbourne Airport.
Moonee Valley’s study said the new station would improve public transport for local residents in Keilor Park and will provide access to areas like Brimbank Park.
The study said that many people who live near the proposed station site drive to Sunshine train station to park and then use the train.
Hume council has recently written to Moonee Valley council stating its support for the station.
Hume mayor Joseph Haweil said a new station would help fill a coverage gap and would provide better public transport for the area.
Brimbank mayor Ranka Rasic said the council had been in contact with Moonee Valley council about its support for the project.
“Brimbank council has written to Moonee Valley city council to outline in principle support for additional stations between Sunshine and Melbourne Airport.
“Brimbank has a detailed plan showing how investments in the west, including Melbourne Airport Rail, can help transform the area into a 21st century city.
“When it comes to Melbourne Airport Rail, council’s focus is on advocating to ensure the project properly plans for the redeveloping Sunshine station into a regional super hub, rebuilding Albion station into a fit-for-purpose public transport interchange, integrating both stations into the surrounding precincts in a way that unlocks development opportunities, most notably within the Albion quarter and delivering long-term rail commitments made in the Western Rail Plan, such as the electrification of the Melton and Wyndham rail lines.”
A government spokesperson said the rail link will be a game changer.
“We know there is significant interest in building an additional station between Sunshine and Melbourne Airport, and it is something the government is continuing to carefully consider.”
“We’ll continue to work with the federal government and all local communities along the route to understand their aspirations and opportunities to deliver on these as part of the project.”
