The Sunshine Energy Park (SEP) vision plan has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award that recognises urban-design innovations across the country.
Following long-drawn consultations, Brimbank council adopted the plan in April last year, with the blueprint guiding the transformation of a former landfill site into what the council says will be “vibrant community landmark”.
That plan, which outlines the scope of the future urban parkland, has now been named a finalist for the Australian Urban Design Awards (AUDA) in the strategic design and policy category.
The awards celebrate the very best of urban design contributions as well as successful and promising innovations that aim to improve the performance of cities and the quality of life within local communities.
Mayor Thuy Dang said it was an honour to be nominated alongside other groundbreaking projects that are making cities across the country better places to live, work and play.
“SEP is a transformative project for the west and when realised, it will be a destination for the region,” she said.
“Being shortlisted for AUDA 2025 is a recognition of the strategic approach and policy work undertaken … for this visionary project.”
In February, the project received half a million dollars from the federal government for a feasibility study and business case for the site’s redevelopment.
The SEP is 74 hectares of closed landfill in Albion, which is part of the closed Sunshine landfills, and was a former basalt quarry.
The site is bordered by Ballarat and St Albans Roads, the Western Ring Road and Jones Creek.
According to the shortlisted 30-year-vision plan, the council would revitalise that space into a destination of local, regional, and state significance — which nurtures connection to country and supports sports, recreation, education and environmental sustainability.
The parkland will be divided into eight precincts, all connected by cycling and pedestrian networks.
It will include a stadium and sports fields, a solar farm, an extensive urban forest and wetland system, and new play spaces.
Winners will be announced in Sydney, on April 30.
