Brimbank City Council has today launched a ‘Rail before Runway’ community movement that calls on the State and Federal Governments to urgently deliver the Melbourne Airport Rail before Melbourne’s third runway is built.
The Council says that despite being one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, Melbourne’s west has been short changed in Government infrastructure funding.
To keep up with its rapid population growth, critical infrastructure projects such as Melbourne Airport Rail and the development of the Sunshine Precinct must be delivered now, says Brimbank Mayor, Thuy Dang.
“We’re calling on the Federal and State Governments to build the long-promised Melbourne Airport Rail before the third runway,” she said.
“Fast-track the Melbourne Airport Rail and Sunshine Precinct now and build the rail before the runway; it’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s a necessity! Melbourne’s west deserves better.
“Despite many government promises over many years, there’s been next to no progress – no start dates, no certainty, leaving Melbourne’s west waiting.”
The Melbourne Airport Rail will connect Melbourne Airport to Victoria’s regional and metropolitan train network for the first time and will provide a cost-effective, time-efficient, and sustainable public transport alternative for all, said Mayor Dang.
Developing the Sunshine Precinct, which includes the full implementation of the Sunshine Station Masterplan and the rebuild of Albion Station, will leverage off this investment and stimulate the economy in the west through tourism, education, housing, shopping, and business growth, she said.
Melbourne Airport’s third runway was given the green light in 2024 and is expected to open in 2031, with passenger numbers set to rise exponentially to 83 million per year, by 2046.
“With the Tullamarine Freeway already congested, this spells disaster for Melbourne’s traffic, with commuters from the west doomed to spend hours in gridlock unless we get the Melbourne Airport Rail back on track now,” the Mayor said.
In a survey of 1,000 Melbournian’s found that 72% want to see an airport rail link and better bus services in the west before more money is spent on less critical projects.
“People of the west are tired of being left behind, with government investment continually funnelled into projects in more affluent areas that are already privileged with extensive public transport and road infrastructure.”
Mayor Thuy Dang and Brimbank Councillors are appealing to community members across the west to join the ‘Rail before Runway’ movement by writing to their State and Federal political leaders and calling for immediate action and investment in the west.
