The unassuming western suburb that could become Melbourne’s second CBD
theage.com.au
Local and state governments have a unified goal to transform a suburb plagued by generational disadvantage into an economic powerhouse.

Local and state governments have a unified goal to transform a suburb plagued by generational disadvantage into an economic powerhouse.

  • AJ Sadauskas@aus.social
    3·
    2 years ago

    @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml Over the past few weeks, The Age has run an interesting series looking at whether Clayton, Box Hill or Sunshine could become a Parramatta-style second CBD for Melbourne.

    Given Melbourne’s massive suburban sprawl, a second CBD (or four) is definitely needed.

    For what it’s worth, I think Box Hill is the closest, except for the lack of office space and company headquarters there. But the argument for Sunshine is growing…

    "Of the three, Sunshine requires the most effort and imagination: it has little medium-density development and limited job options for highly skilled workers. Tired roads are crammed with traffic or unfriendly to walkers and cyclists, and the area still has high levels of disadvantage.

    "However, elevating this suburb to mini-CBD status would be transformative for the area and the greater western metropolitan region.

    “Following the expected completion of the airport rail in 2029, Sunshine station will be the link between Melbourne Airport and the rest of metropolitan Melbourne, as well as parts of regional Victoria. It would also eventually benefit from being a stop on the Suburban Rail Loop if the western and northern sections are ever funded.”

    The case for Sunshine: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5cvjh

    The case for Box Hill: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5cvjf

    The case for Clayton: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5cvhy

    #vicpol #Urbanism #UrbanPlanning #Sunshine #Victoria #Melbourne

  • maegul (he/they)
    2·
    2 years ago

    How much would proximity to the rural centers (Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat etc), which, population-wise, are predominantly western, be a factor in this?

    I can imagine an argument that a sort-of “rural facing” second CBD would have advantages to those that need to commute to “Melbourne” for whatever reason. I can also see that not working at all, as in such instances, going all the way to the actual CBD would be more valuable.

    (Apologies, I haven’t read the articles, so maybe a redundant question)

    • AJ Sadauskas@aus.social
      2·
      2 years ago

      @maegul @ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml I think the rural facing CBD is part of Sunshine’s case for becoming a second CBD, and there’s a big additional reason as well.

      With the Airport Link, the first stop is Sunshine. That makes it the natural transfer point for trains to Bendigo, Ballarat, and Geelong.

      Also, the train lines to Wyndham Vale, Melton, and Sunbury all pass through there.

      There’s also some talk of repurposing the Sunshine to Newport train line as part of the Metro 2 Newport to Clifton Hill project.

      All of that makes it a central transport hub for the western suburbs, and the regional cities.

      That also means it’s accessible by a large workforce for any business that wants to place some offices there.