Brimbank pushing for jobs boom in Sunshine as airport rail link creates major transport hub
All options for the long-awaited Melbourne Airport rail link include a major new transport hub in Sunshine, which local leaders say will be a huge boost to the area, creating “the capital of Melbourne’s west”.
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The airport rail project is expected to turn Sunshine into “the capital of Melbourne’s west”, creating a major transport hub that supports of thousands of new jobs.
All options for the long-awaited link will run through Sunshine, after the state and federal governments decided in 2018 to reject routes running through Maribyrnong, Flemington and Craigieburn.
It means Sunshine station will be overhauled to cater for commuters travelling to and from the airport and serve as a hub for regional services out to Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
Government documents show Sunshine — located just 11km from the CBD — is seen to offer “significant value capture and creation opportunities” for development around the station.
And Brimbank Mayor Georgina Papafotiou told the Herald Sun there had already been a “significant increase” in interest from developers and investors wanting to build commercial and residential towers, hotels and entertainment complexes.
“Our vision is that by 2050, Sunshine will be recognised as the capital of Melbourne’s west,” she said.
“This landmark project will reinvent Brimbank as a thriving economic centre — unlocking jobs now and for future generations, re-establishing Brimbank as an employment epicentre for Melbourne and Victoria’s west.”
The Metro Tunnel, due to open in 2025, will put Sunshine on a direct line all the way from Sunbury to Cranbourne and Pakenham. The state government also wants to include Sunshine in the Suburban Rail Loop, providing another link to the northern and eastern suburbs.
Sunshine has already been designated as a national employment and innovation cluster, with a particular focus on providing healthcare, education and other government services to the booming growth corridor around Melton, Sunbury and Wyndham.
The Herald Sun revealed last year that former premier Steve Bracks was leading the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance’s efforts to invigorate the area, with a vision of creating 50,000 jobs.
The alliance’s plan for Sunshine included a new sports stadium, a second home for the National Gallery of Victoria and tram links to Footscray, Deer Park, Altona and Moonee Ponds.
Cr Papafotiou said it was important the area grew in a way “that improves the liveability and amenity, strengthens community connection and creates jobs and sustainable economic and social opportunities”.
Mr Bracks also called for government services to be shifted from the CBD to a new courts and public administration hub in Sunshine, creating 8000 jobs.
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The alliance’s plan forecast 15,000 jobs could be created in healthcare, including a new medical research precinct, and another 15,000 jobs in manufacturing and construction with improved training and skills facilities.
Cr Papafotiou said the council was calling for a new business, jobs and skills working group to bring together employers and educational institutions to plan for that employment growth.
“This would help provide people with a pathway to jobs to build the super hub, but also a pathway to the industries that will grow through the Sunshine priority precinct,” she said.
“Council is ready, able and willing to help attract and secure more government jobs.”