“We’re not asking for more, we’re just asking for a little bit better.“ That’s the sentiment of one Brimbank councillor towards the Sunshine superhub early designs.

Brimbank council has provided feedback on the early designs to the state government, which includes eight recommendations.

Three of them relate to the bus interchange, an additional concourse and three development sites in the precinct.

In relation to the bus interchange’s current design, the submission stated that “retaining its current location will significantly constrain integration, safety and public realm outcomes” with council highlighting that a relocation is “critical to achieving a safe, efficient, and legible multi-modal transport interchange.”

Council asked that the bus interchange be relocated to the east of the station, in line with the 2022 Sunshine Station Masterplan, or otherwise altered if it remains in its current position.

Council also recommended a southern concourse be added to the designs, stating a single concourse “will not meet future demand” and “will create a critical bottleneck, particularly during peak periods and major service disruptions.”

The integration of transport infrastructure into the precinct was also a concern raised by council.

Council noted that a key component of the 2022 masterplan was the delivery of three integrated development sites which “play an important role in supporting long-term activation, economic activity and passive surveillance within the precinct“.

In its submission, council asked for the delivery of the three development sites.

“Without these, the precinct will not function as a true CBD. Transport infrastructure alone cannot deliver the vibrancy, economic activity, and passive surveillance required for a successful urban centre,” the submission stated.

Other ‘key asks’ included the full implementation of the Masterplan, for designs to promote safety and to be accessible, for the superhub design to be architecturally distinctive, and for the precinct to be climate-resilient and sustainable.

Speaking at the April council meeting, deputy mayor Maria Kerr said, “This is a once in a generation opportunity to shape the future of Sunshine and my view is it needs to be done properly“.

“It’s important how this integrates with the surrounding area. This project should really strengthen connections, support local businesses and create a vibrant public space. Right now those are opportunities I don’t believe have been fully realised.

“If we get this wrong, we live with this for decades but if we get it right, it transforms Sunshine. We’re not asking for more, we’re just asking for a little bit better.”

The state government said the superhub early designs are intended to show how the additions and modifications to the station will complement the existing precinct and support future growth, with more detailed, updated designs set to be released for further consultation, including with council.

Upgrades to the existing bus interchange are aimed at reducing road disruptions, preventing car park losses, and ensuring passengers can interchange train services while accessing the heart of the Sunshine CBD, the state government said.

As part of the integration of the 2022 Masterplan into Melbourne Airport Rail (MAR) stage one, the concourse on the western side of the station will be extended with a new forecourt also created, which the state government said will accommodate for future increase in passenger movements.

According to the state government, other features of the project integration include new walking and cycling links, intersection upgrades on both sides of the Hampshire Road bridge, new station entrances, new open spaces on both sides of the rail line, and a new City Place Plaza.

MAR stage one is set to be complete in 2030.

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