Community feedback

Between June and October 2021, Rail Projects Victoria sought community feedback on key elements of the Melbourne Airport Rail scope and potential construction impacts as part of the second phase of our engagement.

We asked locals to share what they considered the most important aspects in planning and designing these scope areas. This report details the key themes raised in feedback from the community, local businesses and stakeholders during this engagement period.

Thank you to everyone who contributed during this time. We received thousands of suggestions and comments which have been shared with the project team, helping us plan and further refine designs for this transformational project for Victoria, and inform requirements for our contractors.

This builds on our earlier engagement from December 2020 to March 2021, where we asked local communities what is important to them and to identify opportunities for improvements.

How we engaged

The Melbourne Airport Rail scope and construction impact engagement phase was open from 28 June until 24 October 2021.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, engagement was predominantly online with information shared on the Melbourne Airport Rail website, the Engage Victoria website, a refreshed virtual information room, and through online briefings with local community groups.

Information available online included a range of fact sheets on key project scope elements and management of potential construction impacts, as well as new renders, videos and animations. We also sent out fact sheets to residents in Sunshine, Sunshine North, Albion, Keilor East, Airport West and Tullamarine which outlined potential impacts they may experience during construction of Melbourne Airport Rail.

Community members were asked to submit importance ratings and feedback on:

• Sunshine Station Superhub
• Albion flyover and station works
• Shared use overpass in Sunshine North
• New bridge over the Maribyrnong River Valley
• New bridge over the Western Ring Road (M80)
• Construction impacts

What we heard

We had a huge number of responses from the community on all aspects of the project between June and October 2021.

Sunshine Station Superhub

The Sunshine Station transport superhub received the greatest number of comments as part of our engagement.

Locals rated passenger connections to rail services as the most important, with station facilities and transport integration almost tied in second place.

Locals are passionate about Sunshine and would like to see the area revitalised and developed as part of Melbourne Airport Rail.

There is strong community sentiment to ensure any changes to Sunshine Station enable better integration of the local area. This includes better connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as designing the precinct to enable future developments.

Commuters would also like to see the station facilities updated for existing metropolitan services, as well as for a better travelling experience on the new Melbourne Airport Rail.

Albion flyover and station works

There were many survey submissions about the Albion flyover.

Most of the community’s feedback was regarding the design of the Albion flyover, including requests for alternative designs to be considered. There was also a strong level of support for some wider precinct improvements to the area.

Albion locals are passionate about their neighbourhood and would like to see a design which enhances the views of the heritage-listed silos, as well as allowing for further revitalisation of the area.

Safety is another important issue for the community, both in terms of the station as well as for pedestrian and cycling connections.

Shared use overpass in Sunshine North

The new shared use overpass in Sunshine North is being delivered to provide a safe and accessible way to cross the rail corridor.

Unsurprisingly, access for cyclists and pedestrians is an important consideration raised by the community in this area.

Locals are enthusiastic about ensuring the Sunshine North shared use overpass provides easy and universal access for pedestrians, cyclists, people with disabilities, parents with prams, and many other users.

There were lots of comments suggesting the overpass should connect seamlessly into existing shared use networks in the area.

Safety is a big focus, particularly for those who may use the overpass at night. There were also some concerns about potential impacts such as noise and air quality once Melbourne Airport Rail is up and running.

Bridge over the Maribyrnong River Valley

We received almost 250 comments about the new rail bridge being built over the Maribyrnong River Valley.

Locals want the project team to ensure the new bridge complements the existing heritage-listed rail bridge.

Preservation of the local flora and fauna is another important issue for the local community, with comments asking the team to not only protect the environment during construction, but also ensure its protection into the future.

There were also suggestions for Melbourne Airport Rail to potentially include further shared use paths and connections in this area as locals enjoy riding and walking the Maribyrnong River Trail.

Bridge over the Western Ring Road (M80)

While many responses to this element of Melbourne Airport Rail supported a new rail bridge being built, there were also suggestions and comments regarding the potential construction impacts.

Some of the most common concerns about the new rail bridge over the Western Ring Road were regarding traffic impacts while the bridge is being built, as well as the potential increase in noise once Melbourne Airport Rail is up and running.

Additionally, there were lots of suggestions on how to ensure the look and feel of the bridge enhances the area, as well as requests for further shared use connections be included in this part of the project.

Construction impacts

Preservation of the local flora and fauna, and minimising tree removal as much as possible during construction, were the issues of most importance for the community.

Following that, members of the community told us that they’re most concerned about general construction impacts such as noise and dust.

Local traffic congestion and detours, including for walking and cycling, were also a concern for locals during construction of Melbourne Airport Rail

Outside of scope

Feedback on items outside of the current scope of Melbourne Airport Rail were raised including requests for an additional train station in Keilor East or Airport West, Albion Station upgrades and wider improvements to Sunshine precinct. This feedback will be provided to the Department of Transport and Planning for further consideration as part of network planning.

Next steps

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the online survey and have their say about Melbourne Airport Rail.

This feedback has been provided to the project team to consider as part of the ongoing planning and design work, along with the results of ongoing technical investigations in the area. This feedback will also help shape requirements for our contractors.