Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Sunshine super-hub

Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (17:51): (515) My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and my ask is that they outline the plans for the Sunshine precinct, including redevelopment plans for Sunshine and Albion train stations. In 2021 the state government announced a plan for the Sunshine precinct to become the centre of Melbourne’s booming west, providing key opportunities to boost employment, investment and livability through planning, underpinned by transport connections to Melbourne’s CBD, Melbourne Airport rail, the Suburban Rail Loop and the regional rail network. The community largely welcomed the redevelopment but had serious reservations around some design aspects and the level of community participation in the design and decision-making.

The government has thus far failed to disclose to the public what options were considered and properly justify why one was selected over another. The local community in the Albion and Sunshine areas will have to live with the result of this significant project for years to come and should be afforded the opportunity to participate in any changes to the current plan given the direct impact on them. The government has not undertaken any genuine public consultation regarding this project and has restricted the information available publicly, and furthermore the participants of the community reference group are required to sign non-disclosure agreements.

As a way forward, the Greater Sunshine Community Alliance are proposing that an integrated transport and precinct development plan be developed that is guided by an independent expert panel review. The community would also welcome the opportunity to participate in any changes to the current plan, informed by the key decisions on options made previously, given the direct long-term impact on the community. The most recent decision by the Victorian government to shelve plans for the airport rail is yet another blow to communities in the west who are starved of adequate public transport. There is now an opportunity for the government to demonstrate genuine and meaningful engagement with the local community and develop a plan that is best for all stakeholders and the community involved.