Sunshine Station Redo Paves Way for Melb Airport Link

The Federal and Victorian government has revealed a $63.5-million commitment to rebuild a station critical to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

As part of the larger and long-awaited $10-billion airport connection project, Sunshine Station will be rebuilt.

The project is one of a number announced for the state’s rail infrastructure this week.

Federal infrastructure minister Catherine King said it was a “crucial first step to deliver Melbourne Airport Rail”.

The upgraded Sunshine Station will include additional platforms, track and bridge works, and signalling improvements that the state said would “untangle this complex junction which services both freight and more than 70 per cent of V/Line’s network—including the Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat lines”.

▲ An artist’s impression of the proposed new bus interchange at Sunshine, about 30 minutes by rail west of the Melbourne CBD.

The enhancements aim to increase capacity for future services, including allowing six trains per hour to the airport, according to the state.

The project is expected to create new development opportunities along the rail corridor and in Melbourne’s western growth areas—Victorian transport infrastructure minister Danny Pearson said that “rebuilding Sunshine Station will help to unlock capacity for future upgrades for Melbourne’s growing west”.

The station upgrade will be delivered alongside the Victorian government’s $143-million Sunshine Station Precinct Masterplan, which includes a new bus interchange and improved pedestrian connections.

▲ An artist’s impression of the new Sunshine spurline.

According to a previous announcement by the state, FCC Construction Australia and Winslow Infrastructure will build the 550m rail bridge, while John Holland, CPB, KBR, and AECOM will work on stations, tracks, and signalling systems.

Meanwhile, in a separate announcement, the Victorian Government revealed plans to remove eight level crossings on the Upfield Line, at Brunswick and Parkville, by 2030.

The project will consolidate the Jewell, Brunswick, and Anstey stations into two new accessible stations.

The three existing stations are within 1500m of each other. The two new accessible stations are to be between 200m and 450m from the current stations.

▲ Brunswick Railway Station, one of the stations to be consolidated.

The new stations will include entrances at both ends of the platforms, improving access between train services and residential areas. An elevated rail design will create the equivalent of four MCGs worth of new open space.

The consolidation aims to boost future capacity on the line while minimising impact on local heritage.

Early works on the Brunswick project are expected to begin in 2028, with completion slated for 2030.

The announcement comes in the wake Melbourne Airport agreed to the Victorian government’s plan for an above-ground station, resolving a long-standing dispute about the location of the airport station.

This month Federal infrastructure minister Catherine King approved the Major Development Plan for a third runway at the airport, further smoothing the way for the rail project.

Ethos Urban director Melbourne Chris McNeill believes opportunities for developers lie in the potential for high-density development around key transport nodes, which means the rail project could unlock new opportunities for developers in key growth areas along enhanced rail corridors.