Melbourne Airport Rail is a transformational public transport project connecting to Victoria’s regional and metropolitan network with trains to run from Melbourne Airport through Sunshine Station and the Metro Tunnel.

We need to install new electrical substations between Sunshine North and Melbourne Airport to power train services along the new line.

What is a substation and what will it be used for?

Substations are an integral part of Melbourne’s train network to provide trains with a constant source of power that can’t be met by connecting to the standard street supply.

A substation is a mostly self-contained, unstaffed building housing electrical equipment that converts the local power supply into the voltage needed to operate trains, signals, and communication equipment across the train network.

Trains use the most power when accelerating from a standstill and rely on substations to provide the necessary power.

Substations utilise the same power that runs through street overhead or underground power lines.

Electromagnetic emissions from a substation would not be greater than the levels already produced in the area. Electromagnetic emissions or electromagnetic fields (EMF) are a natural by-product of electricity. They occur around all electrical items, including those in our homes, workplaces and naturally through the Earth’s magnetic field and thunderstorms.

Why do you need more substations along the network?

The existing freight rail line from Albion to Jacana does not currently operate electric trains so new substations are needed to power the airport trains.

Across the metropolitan rail network, substations are regularly added to provide more power for additional train services to run.

Where will the substations be located?

The proposed locations of the new substations are based on the principle of providing a safe, functional and efficient electrical supply along the new rail corridor. It is proposed that substations will be required in:

• Sunshine North near Munro Avenue
• Keilor East near Keilor Park Drive and the Western Ring Road (M80)
• Keilor Park near Terror Street and the Western Ring Road (M80)
• Tullamarine near Sharps Road and Airport Drive
• Melbourne Airport near Terminal Drive

Keeping you informed

We will engage with locals and neighbouring properties as planning and design for the substations progress and before construction begins on substations in the local areas.