The state government has reconfirmed Sunshine as one of Melbourne’s, and Victoria’s, six largest employment hubs.
The Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA), the body set up to plan Melbourne’s growth, has picked Sunshine to be the capitol of a national employment cluster in its revised Plan Melbourne blueprint.
The suburb was first singled out as a hub for significant growth when Plan Melbourne was initially released in 2013. An updated version of the blueprint will be released in coming months and will outline major changes for Sunshine to boost jobs and attract business, in line with the original plan.
MPA chief executive Peter Seamer said the planning body is working closely with Brimbank council and business leaders to come up with a list of ideas to “unlock Sunshine’s potential”.
“We want Sunshine to be a magnet for business, providing people living in Melbourne’s booming west the opportunity to work close to their homes.”
On July 18 the MPA will host a public seminar outlining its vision for Sunshine and St Albans, and to get local feedback. Two focus groups will also be held on July 21 and 26.
“We want to test out our ideas and see what’s important to the community,” he said.
Significant ideas include creative commercial land rezonings, ‘greening’ entrance routes and boosting transport connections.
“Some of the areas around the hospital need to be a bit more interesting,” Mr Seamer said.
“There are no little cafes. Some revitalisation is needed … so we might want to rezone them.
“We also wouldn’t mind some higher density housing in strategic areas in the Sunshine CBD, around the hospital and Ginifer station, to make the area more urban in nature,” he said.
Sunshine Business Association president Bruce White is still keen to know about the link between Sunshine and Melbourne Airport.
“To have a major medical precinct in the west is also a major coup,” Mr White said.
He also wants Hampshire Road widened for bike paths, and shop-top apartments above existing CBD shops and businesses. An online survey is at shapevictoria.vic.gov.au
