Melbourne Airport Rail and Sunshine Precinct Masterplan

An artists impression of Sunshine Superhub linking Melbournes west - Image.JPG

Why it matters

The Sunshine Precinct is a nationally significant transport and employment hub with the capacity to unlock billions in private investment and tens of thousands of jobs — generating significant economic benefits for Melbourne's west. Delivering Melbourne Airport Rail via Sunshine is critical to realising this potential.

What LeadWest is advocating for

Full implementation of the Sunshine Precinct: Sunshine Station Masterplan, coupled with the development of a precinct plan for Sunshine that focuses on investment in civic spaces and facilities that will transform Sunshine into Melbourne's second CBD.
Fulfilment of State and Federal commitments to deliver Melbourne Airport Rail via Sunshine.
Construction of the MAR ahead of the Airport’s third runway becoming operational in 2031.

Supporting information

About Sunshine

Sunshine is strategically located less than 15kms from the Melbourne CBD and Melbourne Airport.
The Victorian Government has identified Sunshine as the centre of Melbourne’s booming west and a key economic hub with the potential to become Melbourne’s second CBD.
Sunshine is the only location in Melbourne that the Victorian Government has declared a Metropolitan Activity centre, a National Employment and Innovation Centre (NEIC), a Priority Precinct and a Transport Super Hub. The Sunshine Precinct also features on Infrastructure Australia’s priority list of projects.
Central to Sunshine’s transformation is the implementation of the Sunshine Precinct: Sunshine Station Masterplan that was announced by the State Government ahead of the 2022 State Election along with a $143 million commitment to implement the first stage of the Masterplan. The Masterplan includes three large State Government development sites, as well as new station entries, public realm improvements, a new bus interchange, and new pedestrian and cycling connections over the railway.

Economic benefits

With passage of the MAR through Sunshine Station, the project presents an opportunity to reposition Sunshine as a key visitor economy hub.
Investment in the MAR and the Sunshine Precinct: Sunshine Station Masterplan will unlock one of Melbourne’s largest urban renewal opportunities, up to $8 billion in private economic development opportunities, and the potential to create 29,000 jobs and attract 43,000 new residents by 2051.

Third runway construction and increased traffic
on Tullamarine Freeway:

With the additional runway at Melbourne Airport set to increase the number of airline travellers, and consequently airport staff, the Tullamarine Freeway is likely to become gridlocked without a rail option once the third runway opens.

The construction of MAR prior to the opening of third runway in 2031 is necessary to address the expected surge in traffic congestion.

Existing funding commitments

In 2018, the Federal and State governments jointly announced and committed $5 billion each towards the MAR project.
While the project was stalled for a number of years, LeadWest welcomed an additional $2 billion investment by the Federal Government in early 2025 to help upgrade Sunshine Station into a transport superhub, as part of the first stage of the project. This was coupled with the State Government bringing forward $2 billion of funding for the project at its 2025/2026 Budget, allowing works on MAR to begin this year.
Stage 1 works are expected to be completed by 2030. In addition to transforming Sunshine Station into a superhub, including two new regional platforms, a new cycling and pedestrian connection, an upgraded bus interchange, open space and new station forecourts, stage 1 works will see both Albion Station and Tottenham Station being rebuilt into new modern and accessible stations.
So that the MAR project can optimise the transformation of Sunshine into a key visitor and economic hub, the State Government committed $143 million ahead of the 2022 State Election to implement the Sunshine Station Precinct Masterplan.

Melbourne Airport Rail and Sunshine Precinct Masterplan

Why it matters

What LeadWest is advocating for

Supporting information

About Sunshine

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