MEDIA RELEASE 15 JULY 2024
LeadWest is the advocacy alliance comprised of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham Councils. It represents more than 920,000 residents across Melbourne western suburbs. LeadWest is calling on the State Government to fulfil their commitment to construct the Melbourne Airport Rail (MAR) via the Sunshine Precinct and for the State Government to fulfil its pre-election promise of implementing the Sunshine Station Masterplan and rebuilding Albion Station and constructing a new train station in Keilor East.
LeadWest supports the Australian Government appointed mediator Mr Neil Scales OBE’s report which recommends that the government moves quickly to upgrade the Sunshine super hub. This capitalises on early works for the airport project, which would intersect with the link once it’s resurrected.
This is a clear pathway to get the MAR built, without delay as the community wants and expects.
LeadWest is concerned with the government’s decision to delay this project and asks the government to prioritise this project by looking for solutions to reduce any lengthy delay. It is good news that Melbourne Airport has agreed to the State Government's request to back the cheaper and quicker option of an above-ground railway station, making one less barrier to commencing construction of the MAR.
LeadWest calls on the State Government to reassess its revised timeline of a four-year delay for the Melbourne Airport Rail and treat the project with the same priority as the SRL East that will service the better connected and more affluent suburbs in Melbourne’s east.
A redeveloped Sunshine Station is the catalytic project for the transformation of Sunshine into the CBD for Melbourne’s West – bringing people, housing, and jobs to the west (29,000 new jobs and 16,000 new homes by 2051).
It’s time that the State Government commit to Sunshine Station and investment in Sunshine CBD as the first step to delivering Melbourne Airport Rail.
Comments attributable to the Cr Sophie Ramsey, Chair of LeadWest
“There is a unique opportunity to break the cycle of intergenerational unemployment and disadvantage by maximising the benefits that the Airport Rail for the people of Melbourne’s West.”
“We are calling on both the State and Federal governments to deliver on their promises to build the Suburban Rail Link Airport. We also call on the State Government to reassess its revised timeline of a four-year delay and treat the project with the same priority as the Suburban Rail Link East that will service the better connected and more affluent suburbs in Melbourne’s east.”
“The current public transport travel time from Sunshine to Melbourne Airport is up to 1.5 hours. A direct smart bus service could reduce this to a 30-minute trip. While waiting for the Melbourne Airport Rail, this is a good interim option for travellers and the thousands of airport workers residing in the west with limited to no public transport options.”
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