Tara Murray
Brimbank council is calling for significant funding for the Sunshine precinct and the Albion station redevelopment to be included in both next year’s federal and state budgets.
In the letter from mayor Jasmine Nguyen to the federal government included in last week’s council agenda, the council said it estimated the total needed was $800 million. A similar letter was addressed to the state government.
“We have urged the Victorian state government to include the required funding for the precinct works and Albion station redevelopment in the 2022-23 state budget,“ the letter said.
“We also seek matching funding within the federal 2022-23 budget, which we estimate would be in the region of $300-$400 million, for a combined total of up to $800 million.
“As you may be aware, leveraging their own and the federal government $5 billion investment into the Melbourne Airport Rail (MRL), the Victorian state government very recently announced the ‘Sunshine Precinct Opportunity Statement’ (the Sunshine Statement), an essential complementary piece to this significant transport project.
“We consider a single window of opportunity exists to coordinate engineering and construction for both the Melbourne Airport Rail project scheduled to begin in 2022, and the necessary Sunshine precinct works.”
The council is also calling for further funding for the Calder Freeway. Both governments have committed $50 million to the project.
“The state has also made further investments into a diamond interchange at Calder Park Drive, and removal of the nearby level crossing.
“In addition to these significant recent investments, with works ultimately estimated at no less than $1.5bn to bring the freeway up to contemporary standard and ensure the safe passage of commuters and freight, progressive annual funding will be essential.
“Recognised as a freeway of national significance and located adjacent to Melbourne Airport, we urge you to co-fund the critical upgrades identified by the Victorian state government.”
The council is also calling for further assistance to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including reestablishing JobKeeper and JobSeeker.
