Tara Murray
Sunshine or Albion train stations could be relocated as part of construction of the Sunshine Super Hub.
The Sunshine Super Hub and Albion Station precinct is a landmark project that is set to reinvent Brimbank as a thriving economic centre.
The council is hoping the hub will help unlock Brimbank’s investment, development and employment potential.
In preliminary designs for the hub, included in a document presented to last week’s council meeting, the council highlighted two possible scenarios for the future of Sunshine and Albion stations.
The first scenario will result in both Sunshine and Albion stations being upgraded as dual ‘existing’ stations, with Albion station to move to the north.
The second scenario involves moving Sunshine station to the north and into the new super hub.
The document said, “relocating the station north provides a tremendous opportunity to deliver seamless connection, activation and enhancement of the Sunshine CBD“.
Sunshine station was upgraded between 2012 and 2014 as part of the Regional Rail Link.
Mayor Ranka Rasic confirmed the council had undertaken preliminary design work on the project.
“These options are indicative and exploratory only and further work is needed on the state-led project to determine the best outcome for our community and the western region.
“The Sunshine Super Hub and Albion Station upgrades could create Sunshine and Brimbank as the economic powerhouse of Melbourne’s west.”
The council has also commissioned art impressions to highlight the enormous transformation potential that could be delivered as part of this major infrastructure project.
Cr Rasic said the council will be discussing these preliminary options with the government.
A copy of the document, which was published in December 2020, will be sent to the federal and state governments as part of the council’s 2021-22 budget wish lists.
“Since the government announced the Sunshine Super Hub and Melbourne Airport Rail, Brimbank council has been advocating to make sure these major projects deliver lasting positive change to our community,” Cr Rasic said.
“Council will be discussing these preliminary options with the government to advance our community’s vision to see these projects deliver more local jobs, safe and more attractive places, inclusive and integrated transport, to help create a green future and celebrate our cultural identity.”
