The Vision
Sunshine Energy Park is within the Sunshine Priority Precinct. It has the potential to be a destination of local, regional and state significance.
We have a vision for Sunshine Energy Park and we want to know what you think of this plan. The draft Vision Plan is a long-term vision to help us seek funding and plan works for:
- large-scale tree planting
- a possible solar farm location
- mountain bike trails and hilltop lookout
- cycling and walking tracks
- a sustainability hub
- sports fields and stadium
- playground and play spaces, and
- a large urban forest and wetland system.
This parkland has the potential to be of State significance with opportunities for:
- connection to country
- sport
- leisure and recreation
- education
- events
- recycling and re-purposing
- energy production
- food growing
- habitat creation
- social interaction and play.
We have the opportunity to create a shared vision for the site to be re-imagined as a prominent open space. And an environmental and cultural asset for the community long into the future.
Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan
Artist impression of Sunshine Energy Park
The plan
We’ve divided the Vision into zones which respond to the various needs of the community. This allows for developing the site in stages.
The State Government is working on a plan for Albion Station. When they seek your feedback, we encourage you to have your say.
We depend on this redevelopment to be the main entry point to the park. The new buildings and streets will create links to the park for the community. Which is important for the large population expected in the area.
Connecting Sunshine Energy Park to the nearby neighbourhoods is important. This way, it is easier for the community to use the new open space. It will become a lively and safe place for everyone to enjoy.
We we will also need new access points to bypass the railway line, St Albans Road and the Western Ring Road.
Surrounding Sunshine Energy Park are future urban renewal/development areas, including:
- Albion Quarter
- LUMA Sunshine North
- Sunshine Health Wellbeing and Education Precinct, and
- Cairnlea development sites
They will bring more residents and workers to the area.
Hulett Street is a key entry point for visitors to the park. Its connection with Carrington Drive will also improve access within the site.
The area will focus on people and have a special design called Water Sensitive Urban Design. This means we'll use special ways to manage water and make sure it doesn't go to waste. We'll also plant lots of shade trees so that it's cooler and greener there.
This zone may also move existing sporting clubs to new community facilities.
The hill top vantage point has views from Macedon Ranges to the Melbourne CBD, and beyond.
Indigenous grasslands and open lawn areas on the hill top will allow for play and picnicking. A major public artwork will provide a prominent and recognisable landmark.
The mountain bike trails take advantage of the elevated landscape. And will be a mountain biking destination in the western region. There will be ascent and descent trails, and a pump track. The pump track is for all riding abilities and a learning environment to develop your skills.
The trails and pump track are next to Hulett Street for easy access. And they connect with an extensive trail network throughout the park.
In the future, there are plans to create connections to link Sunshine Energy Park to:
- Jones Creek
- St. Albans (under the M80)
- Albion, and
- Sunshine.
Mountain biking is a male-dominated sport. We must consider program development which support female mountain biking for all ages. And facilities must embed gender-sensitive design to ensure a safe and inclusive place.
Brimbank’s Climate Emergency Plan 2020-2025 sets a target of zero-net emissions for:
- Council operations by 2030, and
- the Brimbank municipality by 2040.
We're supporting opportunities for community renewable energy projects such as ‘solar gardens’.
A solar farm benefits the community, such as community ownership and investment benefits. These benefits could help provide funding for the project. Also using the energy for future Council needs or social housing projects.
In the next 30 years, as the former landfill site gets settled, it is ideal to add a solar farm to the site soon. We expect a solar farm to have a lifespan of about 30 years. After that, the area has opportunity for other uses such as sport fields, forest and open space.
The Sustainability Hub will support small scale circular economy initiatives.
Resource Recovery Centre
Our current centre has limits on acceptable materials. So we are finding out if we can operate from Sunshine Energy Park. If so, you could drop off your recyclable household materials in one location. We are also considering moving the Sunshine operations depot to the Sustainability Hub.
We receive bicycles needing repair. The centre could have a Repair Café and Recycled Goods Shop. Allowing opportunities for partnerships and training. The recycled bicycles will support active transport.
We are finding out if the former power station building is suitable for use. If so, services may operate from the building as a social enterprise model or run by Council.
Horticulture Hub
We imagine the hub including:
- community gardens
- food growing partnerships with social enterprise
- training and education
- employment, and
- address local food security.
These uses reflect the Council Plan’s Health and Wellbeing Priorities to:
- support improved mental wellbeing and reduce loneliness
- increase healthy eating and physical activity, and
- support economic and social inclusion.
The World Food Gardens program at Westvale Park shows the success of:
- community-led use of public owned space
- collaboration of people from diverse cultures, and
- food production.
These gardens are essential for the hub in the long term aspirations. If we work with partners, we can have similar programs of a larger scale.
A multipurpose stadium will serve the regional and local sporting needs. An indoor show-court stadium could be home to a professional sports team. They would represent Melbourne's west.
A Council study saw strong participation in basketball and netball. It also found we need more training and competition courts to meet demands. The stadium should also consider fair access for smaller indoor sports such as:
- badminton
- volleyball
- table tennis, and
- futsal.
This is an opportunity to:
- deliver multi-purpose sporting fields and pavilions
- meet increasing participation and demand, and
- have appropriate facilities to support female participation. Feedback shows we need more gym equipment and sport courts for females.
Open grass areas and cycling and walking trails throughout the park is perfect for:
- walking
- jogging
- dog walking
- sitting
- picnicking, and
- children’s play.
The wetlands will divert stormwater from Jones Creek to capture and manage the water. It will:
- provide flood retention
- improved water quality
- support the watering needs of the park grounds and sporting fields.
Paths and boardwalks will let you explore the wetlands. And connect with the Jones Creek cycling and walking trail.
Signs with information will help you learn about and appreciate the environment. Which is important for taking care of our land and nature.
Schools and community groups could join Council staff on guided tours and activities. The wetland's habitat will support biodiversity.
Play is critical to support the development and wellbeing of children.
Playgrounds next to Hulett Street and Ballarat Road will make it easier to get to when you arrive at the park.
The place will include ways that children can have lots of fun and play. They'll also be able to interact with the growing landscape. There will be cool things to do and places to explore.
Give feedback
FAQ
How will you use my feedback?
Allfeedback will inform the development of the final Sunshine Energy Park Vision
Plan.
Where is Sunshine Energy Park located?
Sunshine Energy Park is 54 hectares of land located at 570A Ballarat Road, Albion, within the Sunshine Priority Precinct. Sunshine Energy Park is currently closed to the public.
What is the difference between a Vision Plan and a Master Plan?
A Master Plan outlines the specific strategies and guidelines for physical development, whereas a Vision Plan is a higher-level document that articulates the desired future and overall direction of a project.
While the Master Plan focuses on the practical aspects of development, the Vision Plan sets the broader context and inspires the actions necessary to achieve the desired vision.
Importantly, a Vision Plan is prepared at a very early stage, so not all the questions can be answered.
Instead, if Council were to adopt the Vision Plan, significant work would still be required between Council, potential partners and the community to explore how the vision can be realised. It is expected that over the next 30 years, each opportunity will take its own path to implementation as partnerships, business cases and funding opportunities are explored.
Business cases for each zone will further explore feasibility, environmental and planning requirements and detailed costings.
Why is Council preparing the vision?
The State Government has identified areas in and around Sunshine as Melbourne's only combined National Employment and Innovation Cluster, Metropolitan Activity Centre, state Priority Precinct, and transport superhub.
Its Precinct Opportunity Statement states that ‘Sunshine will become the centre of Melbourne’s West’, with a target to almost triple the existing residential and employee population.
The Sunshine Energy Park Project seeks to complement State Government investment, such as the already committed redevelopment of Sunshine and Albion Stations, to create a new state significant park that supports the health and wellbeing of the growing population in the West.
It is one of 15 key priorities within our Sunshine Priority Precinct Vision 2050 - a bold plan to support Sunshine as the ‘Capital of Melbourne’s West’ with strong endorsement from the community, education and business sectors.
How was the vision plan created?
These three principles have guided the development of the Vision Plan and are defined further below::
- an inclusive precinct that supports liveability
- showcasing the shift from linear to circular economy
- caring for country.
They have been informed by many Council policies to underpin the future development of this significant public park including:
- ‘Together We are Brimbank 2021’ Council Plan
- Health and Well-Being Plan
- Climate Emergency Plan
- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Strategy
- Sunshine Priority Precinct Vision 2050 and many others.
What does “An inclusive precinct that supports liveability” mean?”
An inclusive precinct that supports liveability creates a welcoming and thriving community where everyone feels valued, can access necessary resources, and enjoys a high quality of life. It fosters social inclusion, promotes accessibility, and prioritizes sustainable and healthy living environments.
What does “showcasing the shift from linear to circular economy” mean?
A Circular Economy aims to decouple economic growth from resource consumption and waste generation. It seeks to create a closed-loop system where resources are used more efficiently and effectively. Instead of being discarded as waste, materials are recovered, recycled, and reused, extending their lifespan and minimizing the need for new resource extraction. The circular economy focuses on strategies such as recycling, reusing, repurposing, remanufacturing, and reducing waste throughout the entire lifecycle of products.
By showcasing the shift from a linear to a circular economy, the focus is on promoting the idea of creating economic systems that are regenerative, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable, ultimately leading to reduced waste, increased resource productivity, and a more resilient and sustainable future.
What does “Caring for Country’” mean?
"Caring for Country" is a profound expression of Indigenous cultural values, knowledge, and practices related to land and environmental stewardship. It encompasses a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of people, culture, and the natural environment. It highlights the importance of preserving Indigenous knowledge, respecting traditional practices, and working towards sustainable and respectful relationships with the land for future generations.
Council are seeking to partner with Wurundjeri as the Traditional Owners of the land, to understand how best to work together on the evolution of Sunshine Energy Park over the next 30 plus years.
The site used to be a landfill site, is it safe for the community?
Sunshine Energy Park was a former basalt quarry which was also used as a landfill and is part of the Closed Sunshine Landfills. The Closed Sunshine Landfills ceased accepting waste in 1990, with landfill capping occurring progressively during operation and to a final land-form after closure.
Over the last 12 years Council has coordinated with the EPA and initiated numerous environmental and health investigations. In 2013, an environmental audit was completed for the Closed Sunshine Landfills which led to the preparation of aftercare management plans implemented by Council. Council commissioned civil works in 2015 to import clean fill to the closed landfill to create a water shedding profile and improve drainage. This work has shaped the existing landscape and surface levels at the site today. Aftercare for the Closed Sunshine Landfills will continue into the future, involving environmental monitoring and control of residual landfill gas.
The closed Sunshine landfills are now suitable to consider opportunities for recreation and community use after extensive rehabilitation works and aftercare management, which will continue into the future. The delivery and timing of the draft Vision will be subject to further site analysis and legislative requirements.
Does the project align with the planning scheme requirements and other environmental regulations?
Sunshine Energy Park is zoned Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) and is subject to an Environmental Audit Overlay and Development Contributions Plan Overlay Schedule 2. Generally the PPRZ is considered the appropriate zone for this type of use.
If the Vision Plan was adopted by Council, business cases would be developed over time, exploring feasibility, environmental and planning requirements.
An amendment to the Brimbank Planning Scheme applied the Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) to land that formed part of and/or adjoins the Closed Sunshine Landfills, which may be potentially contaminated as a result of those past activities. Sunshine Energy Park is one of the affected properties.
The EAO requires an environmental audit to be completed prior to the commencement of any new sensitive use (playgrounds, residential, child care centre, pre-school centre or primary school) or buildings and works associated with a sensitive use. The audit outcomes will also inform any building design and management controls necessary to protect human health.
When will the construction works start on site?
The Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan represents the aspirations and possibilities for this new community space. The size and ambition of this space is unique and cannot be delivered in a traditional manner.
Significant work is required between Council, potential partners and the community to explore how the vision can be realised. It is expected that over the next 30 years, each opportunity will take its own path to implementation as partnerships and funding opportunities are explored.
Council will undertake further work to develop business cases and advocacy approaches (subject to Council annual budgets) for each zone to support external funding opportunities and partnerships with State and Federal Governments. Business cases for each zone will further explore feasibility, environmental and planning requirements, and detailed costings.
Who will benefit from the Solar Farm?
Council has undertaken a feasibility study for a 4.99MW (AC) solar farm which is estimated to produce 9,992 MWh per annum and use approximately 7 hectares of the site. The study assessed the technical and financial aspects of the project. A second study has analysed the community benefit models including community. Using the energy for Council future uses and/or for social housing projects are the strongest propositions.
Further feasibility studies are required including investigation into how the farm would align with legislative requirements, including planning.
How does the Albion Station Redevelopment impact on Sunshine Energy Park?
TheAlbion Station Rebuild will support the Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan and
Council is working closely with the State Government on the project and the
State Government’s broader vision for Sunshine.
What is happening with the Airport Rail project?
The Australian Government is undertaking a 90-day review of its Infrastructure Investment Program, with jointly funded Victorian projects that are not election commitments or under major construction to be included.
Early works on Melbourne Airport Rail continue, but no new contracts will be awarded during the review period. Their website will be updated with further information when it is available.
Are there other examples where parks have been created on Closed Landfill sites?
There are a number of parks in Melbourne that have been built on former landfill sites:
- All Nations Park in Darebin City Council
- Brickmakers Park and Reg Harris Reserve in Monash City Council
- Ceres in Merri-Bek City Council
The project below is in the design phase:
- Hawthorn Football Club in Dingley in Kingston City Council
What are the next steps following consultation?
Following community and stakeholder consultation, and consideration of feedback, a report will be presented to Council.
If Council were to adopt a final Vision Plan, Council would then seek to work with the community, stakeholders and potential project partners to explore how the vision can be realised over the next 30 years.
