Melbourne Airport Rail one step closer for Melbourne’s West

Media Release - 26 February 2026

LeadWest continues to urge the Victorian Government to prioritise and fast-track the Melbourne Airport Rail Project, ensuring it is progressed with the same level of commitment and urgency as the Suburban Rail Loop East, along with the full implementation of the Sunshine Precinct Station Masterplan.

This week the Victorian Government released early designs for the Sunshine Superhub and announced that construction has begun on stage one of the Melbourne Airport Rail.

Chair of LeadWest, Cr Susan Yengi said: “We acknowledge the funding commitments made by the State and Federal governments to date towards the Melbourne Airport Rail Project, Sunshine Station upgrades and Sunshine Precinct.

“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 to bring significant benefits to Melbourne’s west. Delivery of the Melbourne Airport Rail via Sunshine is critical to realising this potential.”

“It’s critical the upgrades to Sunshine Station, as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail project, includes the full delivery of the Sunshine Precinct Station Masterplan, as promised by the Victorian Government ahead of the 2022 state election.

“These projects are crucial to economic growth and prosperity in Melbourne’s west including the future electrification of the Melton and Wyndham lines,” Cr Yengi said.

LeadWest also welcomed the announcement of plans to build a new Tottenham Station.

“We’re pleased with the announcement that a brand new, fully accessible Tottenham Station will also be built on the realigned Sunbury Line. This is great news for the west, and a fantastic win for communities in the City of Maribyrnong,” Cr Yengi said.

LeadWest continues to advocate for:

• the 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.