Sunshine—long touted as the future CBD of Melbourne’s west—is entering a bold new chapter, with a $7.5 million state government investment set to turn Clarke Street into a vibrant cultural and community precinct.
Announced earlier this week by Housing and Building Minister Harriet Shing, Laverton MP Sarah Connolly and Brimbank Mayor Cr Virginia Tachos, the funding forms part of the $143 million Sunshine Station Masterplan—a cornerstone of the Melbourne Airport Rail project.
Once seen primarily as a transport interchange, Sunshine is now shaping up as a destination in its own right.
The Clarke Street transformation will deliver:
- A new public plaza and City Place Plaza featuring landscaped open space for community gatherings and events
- A contemporary arts hub showcasing local and visiting creators
- A flexible, year-round events and performance space
- A pop-up activation zone for markets and temporary installations
- Public art celebrating the cultural identity and diversity of Melbourne’s west
- New walking and cycling links to improve community connections
- Two new regional platforms and a station concourse
- Additional lifts to improve accessibility and safety across platforms
- An upgraded station carpark with a dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone
- A secure bicycle Parkiteer for cyclists
- Bus interchange upgrades
- Improved security cameras and lighting
Additionally, “This $7.5 million investment from the Victorian Government is critical to unlocking the CBD of the west and realising the full potential of the Sunshine precinct as a thriving cultural, commuter and commercial hub,” Cr Tachos said.
“This investment will help transform Sunshine into a more vibrant, connected and welcoming destination—one that supports local businesses, attracts new commercial investment, and delivers the high-quality housing, public spaces, experiences and opportunities our community deserves.”
Building The West’s New Engine Room
For decades, Sunshine has symbolised the working-class spirit of Melbourne’s west. Now, government and local stakeholders see it as the region’s next major economic and cultural centre.
Meanwhile, the broader Sunshine Priority Precinct Vision 2050—developed through extensive community engagement—imagines a future where the area doubles its population and job base by 2050, supported by new transport links and smart infrastructure.
That vision is anchored by the Sunshine Superhub, which will connect the Metro Tunnel, V/Line and future Melbourne Airport Rail services through a single multi-modal interchange.
When complete, Sunshine Station will stand alongside Southern Cross as one of Victoria’s most significant transport nodes—a true “gateway to the world” for the west.
According to Brimbank City Council, the precinct could generate between 20,000 and 50,000 new jobs and unlock up to $8 billion in development potential over the next 30 years.
Nearby Albion Station is also slated for an $80 million rebuild announced last year, strengthening the broader Sunshine corridor as a regional growth engine.
Shifting The Conversation To Culture
What makes this particular investment stand out, however, is its focus on arts and public life. Until now, discussions around Sunshine’s future have largely revolved around transport, housing and commercial development.
Moreover, the Clarke Street project introduces a cultural dimension—one that acknowledges the creative energy already bubbling through the west.
From galleries and grassroots studios in Footscray and Newport to events like the Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival, the western suburbs are home to some of Melbourne’s most dynamic creative communities.
The new arts hub and plaza promise to provide a permanent home for that energy, anchoring it within Sunshine’s evolving civic identity.
“This is about making Sunshine not just a place you travel through, but a place you stay—and stay proud of,” said a council spokesperson.
In addition, with rail construction now underway and billions in infrastructure investment flowing into Melbourne’s west, Sunshine’s transformation from industrial heritage to “city of opportunity” is rapidly accelerating.
The next few years will show whether this once-overlooked suburb can truly live up to its name—and shine as the beating heart of the new west.