An artistic impression of what the new Sunshine Station will look like. Image: Victoria’s Big Build
The Federal Government is throwing another $2 billion to revive Melbourne Airport’s rail link as part of a joint spending blitz on Victorian roads and rail.
Yesterday (February 26), Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced more than $3.3 billion will be spent in Victoria for new road and rail projects.
An extra $2 billion will be spent on transforming Sunshine Station for the rail link on top of $5bn already allocated to a rail link to Tullamarine.
Works planned for Sunshine Station include two extra platforms and extended concourse as part of a dedicated regional spur line, three new rail bridges, new tracks, signalling upgrades, realigned passenger and freight lines, and the start of electrification of the Melton Line.
The new station will be expected to handle more than 40 rail services an hour, according to the state government.
Other projects include a joint $1.2 billion ($200m from Victoria) funding deal to upgrade suburban roads such as Old Sydney Road at Wallan ($45m), Evans Road between Duff St and Central Parkway in Cranbourne West ($30m), and the McLeod Rd and Station Street Intersection at Carrum ($3m).
On rail, $325m will be spent on the Melton Line to increase the rail capacity by 50 percent; $20.5m on planning for Melbourne Western Suburbs upgrades and $7.05m on planning for Melbourne Northern Suburbs upgrades.
The two governments will split the $44.8m bill to fund upgrades to the Princes Highway Corridor as well as $20m on a business case for upgrading roads and structures across the High Productivity Freight Vehicle network.
EASE OF TRAVEL
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Victorian Chamber of Commerce that airport travel shouldn’t be the most complicated part of a trip.
“It should be affordable, convenient – and the travel time should be predictable,” he told them.
“Melbourne Airport needs a rail link. Melbourne needs one.”
He also pointed out the benefits for regional Victorians.
“If you are travelling from regional Victoria, you don’t have to catch a train all the way into Southern Cross then back out to Tullamarine.
“Your V-line service will be able take you to Sunshine then express to the terminal.”
He was clear that by committing the investment, they were locking in a start date for the work.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says she was “delighted” by the announcement.
Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King says the Sunshine Station and road upgrades will support a growing population and alleviate road congestion.
Her Victorian counterpart, Gabrielle Williams, says the Sunshine Station work will create more capacity and mark the first stage of works for Melbourne Airport Rail and future upgrades to electrify the Melton Line.”
Federal MP for Fraser Daniel Mulino says Melbourne’s west is growing rapidly and upgrading the station will help to accommodate this growth.
Work on the Sunshine Station is expected to start in early 2026 and finish by 2030.
