SUNSHINE ENERGY

PARK

VISION PLAN

MAY 2024

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OF COUNTRY

Brimbank City Council respectfully acknowledges

and recognises the Wurundjeri and Bunurong

Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of this land

and waterways, and pays respect to their Elders,

past, present and future.

Council also acknowledges local Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander residents of Brimbank and

their Elders for their ongoing contribution to the

diverse culture of our community.

The City of Brimbank holds great significance

as a historical trading and gathering hub

for the Traditional Custodians. This region

boasts a profound Aboriginal cultural and

physical heritage.

Within the municipality, there are 427

documented sites of cultural heritage significance,

as recorded in the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage

Register, under the stewardship of Aboriginal

Victoria and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

These places, landscapes, and objects embody

the intricate and evolving way of life of Aboriginal

peoples over thousands of years.

CONTENTS

Executive Summary

2

Introduction

4

Vision

8

Core Pillars

10

The P

recincts

14

01. Cultural And Ecological Precinct 16

02. Community Club Precinct

18

03. Sustainability Precinct

20

04. Outdoor Sporting Precinct

22

05. Play Precinct

24

06. Cycling Precinct

26

07. Stadium Precinct

28

08. Water Management

30

Connecting The Precincts:

Pathways And Gateways

32

Implementation

37

The Park And Its Context

41

Indig

enous And

Community Engagement

47

Next Steps

53

A MESSAGE FROM THE WURUNDJERI WOI-WURRUNG

The journey of the land from its ancestral roots to its current state as a potential community park is a

poignant reflection of its resilience and the enduring connection between the Wurundjeri People and their Country.

The transformation from a basalt quarry to a landfill, and now into a space for healing and communal gathering,

symbolises a profound shift towards restoration and renewal.

The involvement of Wurundjeri Elders in the development of the park's vision is a testament to the importance of

Indigenous voices in shaping the future of the land. By sharing their stories and aspirations, they ensure that the

vision for the park is grounded in a deep respect for the land's history and the cultural significance it holds for the

Wurundjeri People.

The emphasis on storytelling as a means of connecting visitors to the land's past is a powerful approach. Through

interpretive signage and artistic expressions, visitors can gain insight into the rich tapestry of history and culture

woven into the landscape. These stories serve not only to educate but also to inspire a sense of stewardship and

responsibility for the land and its ongoing care.

In essence, the Sunshine Energy Park represents a convergence of sustainability, cultural preservation, and

environmental stewardship. It serves as a beacon of hope for the future, demonstrating how communities can come

together to honour the past while building a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan delineates the

transformation of the 74-hectare site into a dynamic, future

focused urban parkland. Brimbank City Council is committed

to establishing the park as a vibrant community landmark

that nurtures connection to Country and supports sports,

recreation, education, and environmental sustainability.

Nestled within the Sunshine Priority Precinct, this vision

aspires to create a destination of local, regional, and state

significance, thereby enhancing liveability and fostering

community cohesion.

PRECINCTS

The Vision Plan is divided into interconnecting precincts

which respond to the various needs of the community. This

approach will allow for the development of the site in stages.

01. CULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL PRECINCT

02. COMMUNITY CLUB PRECINCT

03. SUSTAINABILITY PRECINCT

04. OUTDOOR SPORTING PRECINCT

05. PLAY PRECINCT

06. CYCLING PRECINCT

07. STADIUM PRECINCT

08. WATER MANAGEMENT

CORE PILLARS

Three core pillars have guided the development of the Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan. These core pillars have

been distilled from the voice of the community and policy, including Brimbank City Council’s Climate Emergency Plan,

Reconciliation Action Plan, Health and Well-Being Plan, Sports Development Plan, Biodiversity Strategy and Council Plan.

IMPLEMENTATION

The Vision Plan represents aspirations and possibilities for this future parkland.

Over the next 30 year each precinct will take its own path to implementation as partnerships and funding opportunities

are explored. The size and ambition of this Vision requires significant collaboration between all stakeholders of this land

to explore how the Vision can be realised.

CARING FOR COUNTRY

SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

INCLUSIVE WELLBEING

TIMELINE [SUBJECT TO FUNDING]

Operational Activities - Ongoing Landfill Monitoring...

Improve Entries And Key Connections

Design And Delivery Of Projects Within:

- Cultural And Ecological Precinct

- Cycling Precinct

- Sustainability Precinct

- Play Precinct

- Outdoor Sporting Precinct

Sustainability Precinct - Horticultural Hub

Sustainability Precinct - Solar Farm

Stadium Precinct

Draft Vision

Plan & Public

Consultation

Advocacy - Funding &

Partnerships

Master

Plan,

Business

Case And

Feasibility

Business Case,

Feasibility Studies

Business Case

Relevant approvals including possible planning approvals may be required throughout the timeframe.

ALBION QUARTER

URBAN RENEWAL AREA

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

Originally a volcanic plain grassland, the site held deep

significance for its Traditional Custodians, the Wurundjeri

People. It subsequently became a basalt quarry, contributing

to Melbourne’s expansion, before transitioning into a landfill

site and later a gas extraction and energy production

site, which gave the park its present name. This historical

trajectory presents an opportunity to rehabilitate and

reimagine the site as a significant open space and an ongoing

environmental and cultural asset for the community.

SUNSHINE ENERGY PARK WITH WESTERN RING ROAD IN FOREGROUND, 2020

SUNSHINE ENERGY PARK VIEW TO SUNSHINE HOSPITAL, 2024

In line with Council’s Sunshine Priority Precinct Vision

2050, the vision for Sunshine Energy Park leverages its

strategic location and rich history to establish a parkland

that addresses the needs of the community and current

environmental challenges. It aims to act as a catalyst for

long lasting, positive change.

To achieve this vision, the site has been divided into

interconnecting precincts that foster a diverse range of

activities, allowing for phased development. Each precinct

underscores feasible opportunities for capital projects and

provides a roadmap for future business case development,

subject to Council’s budget approvals. These efforts will

facilitate future advocacy, attract external funding, and

foster engagement with key stakeholders.

This document sets out a vision for Sunshine Energy Park

that acknowledges its history, responds to its strategic

location within the Sunshine Priority Precinct, restores

ecology and restores its connection to the natural systems

that surround it. The park’s future as a vibrant, inclusive,

and sustainable space represents a significant opportunity

to deliver wide-ranging benefits, from health and wellbeing

to social, environmental, and economic outcomes, aligning

with Brimbank’s broader aspirations for growth and

community development.

Sunshine Energy Park, currently not fully accessible to

the public, holds significant cultural and ecological value.

Enclosed by key transport arteries and industrial areas, it

is also strategically adjacent to the expanding residential

districts of Brimbank. Positioned centrally between key

railway stations and within the projected pathway of the

Melbourne Airport Railway Line, the park is emerging as an

essential asset for the community.

The park is surrounded by significant developments and

community hubs.These include the Health and Wellbeing

& Education Precinct, which offers a blend of medical and

educational facilities, the Sunshine CBD that promises

economic vibrancy, and the Sunshine Station that connects

people and places with networks of green, pedestrian

focused streets.

The park’s geographical position, bordered by Jones Creek

to the west and Stony Creek to the east, places it within the

catchment of Kororoit Creek. The future parkland’s location

highlights the importance of revitalising its environmental

integrity ensuring it contributes to the sustainable

development and ecological health of the region.

T

ransforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

Sunshine Precinct - 1600m radius of stations

Indicative Sunshine NEIC (Boundary as per

Draft Western Metro Region)

Waterway

Road network

Open Space

Railway

Railway Station

Sunshine Metropolitan Activity Centre

Sunshine Energy Park

Albion Quarter Structural Plan Study Area

SUNSHINE HEALTH WELLBEING

& EDUCATION PRECINCT

The Sunshine Health, Wellbeing and Education Precinct (SHWEP)

is the premier location for health facilities, wellbeing and education

serving the western region. It will become a mixed-use precinct that

capitalises on the hospital with a mix of health, wellbeing and education

use and supporting residential development for workers.

SUNSHINE CBD

Sunshine Central Business District will be thriving and diverse

civic hub, with a network of bustling streets and public spaces

framed with distinctive buildings. Increased housing, shops

and services will support an active day-and-night economy, and

strengthen existing cultural and community ties. The new CBD will establish

Sunshine as the centre of Melbourne’s west.

SUNSHINE STATION

Sunshine Station will become an integrated part of a renewed

Sunshine. It will be surrounded by and connect new homes,

workplaces and shops via a network of green, pedestrian

focused streets and public spaces. As a place for residents,

workers, students and tourists, the station will become a hive of activity and

civic life.

NEW COMMUNITY

Development Victoria is creating new neighbourhoods in

Sunshine North and Cairnlea within walking distance of

Sunshine Energy Park. The development of Sunshine Energy

Park will benefit furture residents in the area.

ALBION QUARTER

The Albion Quarter provides an opportunity to support the

next generation of jobs, innovation and services in Melbourne.

Improving amenity, connectivity and integration with the

train station will see Albion transformed into a new centre in

Melbourne’s west.

Modified diagram of Department of Transport and Planning, Sunshine Precinct Opportunity Statement Document

November 2021, Figure 2

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

PEDESTRIAN &

CYCLIST PATH

UNDER M80

VISION

Sunshine Energy Park will be

a catalyst for Sunshine’s renewal,

embedding a high-performing

urban parkland at its core that

inspires community well-being,

biodiversity, and environmental

innovation.

Sunshine Energy Park will become a vibrant urban

parkland that demonstrates ecological resilience.

The Park will be planned around eight

interconnected precincts, each with a diverse

character, offering a range of activities that take

full advantage of each area’s unique features.

These precincts will be linked by a comprehensive

network of walking and cycling paths, as well as

a series of new entry points that will stitch it back

into the Sunshine Precinct.

The design will prioritise inclusivity, employing

gender-sensitive planning to ensure a safe

and welcoming environment for everyone,

celebrating all aspects of human and cultural

diversity. With family-friendly amenities

scattered throughout, it will address the varied

interests and needs of the community.

Collaboration with the Wurundjeri Elders will

guide the incorporation of Indigenous values and

narratives into the park’s design. Local wildlife

motifs will animate children’s play areas, and

spaces for learning and signs will narrate the area’s

history and the community’s aspirations for the

future. Art installations and thoughtfully designed

landscapes will serve as mediums for storytelling,

functioning as platforms for environmental

education, highlighting the commitment to ‘healing

the land’ and sustainable living.

01. CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE AREA

02. EXISTING CLUB ROOMS

(NEW ENTRY FROM CARRINGTON DRIVE)

03. OPERATION CENTRE

04. ENCLOSED DOG PARK

05. AT GRADE CAR PARK

06. SUSTAINABILITY HUB

07. SPORT FIELDS AND PAVILION

08. ALL AGES AND ABILITIES PLAY

09. PUMP AND BMX TRACKS

10. MOUNTAIN BIKE TRACKS

11. SPORTS FIELDS (SOLAR FARM INTERIM USE)

12. STADIUM

13. LANDMARK ARTWORK

14 . PARK ENTRY POINT

(FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS)

ALBION QUARTER

URBAN RENEWAL AREA

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

Aboriginal Elder,Tom Dystra -Aboriginal Cultural

Heritage Strategy 2018–2023

Brimbank Climate Emergency Plan

Together We Are Brimbank Council Plan

2021–2025

Brimbank Biodiversity Strategy 2012 – 2022

CORE PILLARS

CARING FOR COUNTRY

Acknowledging the land’s history and fostering its

regeneration with a focus on ecological restoration

and cultural appreciation.

• Partner with the Traditional Custodians,

incorporating their perspectives to celebrate

and learn from the site’s Indigenous history.

• Shift the narrative around the site’s past as a

landfill into a tool for education and deeper

understanding of environmental care.

• Monitor and manage local ecosystems to

protect and increase biodiversity.

SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

Committing to a resilient parkland through

sustainable practices, energy innovation, and

circular economic principles that benefit the

Brimbank community.

• Promote parkland resilience through renewable

energy, innovative circular economy practices,

and utility-cost reduction, exemplifying the

principles of Council’s Climate Emergency Plan.

• Develop community partnerships for

sustainability projects and green-resource

utilisation, supporting local and regional

economies.

• Create educational opportunities around green

living, promoting resource conservation and

responsible consumption.

INCLUSIVE WELLBEING

Creating an accessible and versatile space that

supports community health, invites engagement,

and offers opportunities for learning and

employment.

• Provide recreational and cultural facilities that

respond to Brimbank’s dynamic community

profile, supporting active and healthy lifestyles.

• Design around accessibility and diversity,

nurturing social bonds and cultural richness,

reflective of Brimbank’s Reconciliation Action

Plan.

• Establishing pathways for youth-focused

programs and job creation, reinforcing the

park’s role in fostering community engagement

and economic vitality.

The vision for Sunshine Energy Park is supported

by three Core Pillars. These Pillars, in conjunction

with Council Strategies, embody Council’s

commitment to cultural integrity, environmental

resilience, community vitality, and future

focused innovation.

In particular, the Sunshine Priority Precinct

Vision 2050 outlines key aspirational outcomes

for what the Sunshine CBD and Sunshine Priority

Precinct could look like in 2050 including

Sunshine Energy Park.

According to the

Sunshine Priority

Precinct Vision 2050,

“Sunshine Energy Park

is transformed into one

of the western region’s

premium parks.”

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

Albion Quarter

Urban Renewal Area

01 - CULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL PRECINCT

Anchoring the park's commitment to Aboriginal cultural heritage and habitat,

this precinct balances the preservation of indigenous grasslands with the

celebration of local culture through art installations and a hilltop lookout that

offers panoramic views and a space for reflection and communal gathering.

02 - COMMUNITY CLUB PRECINCT

This precinct serves as the social heart of the park, supporting a cluster

of existing community clubs that offer spaces for shared interests and

social interaction.

03 - SUSTAINABILITY PRECINCT

Key features include a Resource Recovery Centre, aimed at reducing waste

through recycling and repurposing initiatives, and a Solar Farm that underlines

the park's shift towards renewable energy sources. It's a hub for learning and

innovation, demonstrating practical applications of sustainable practices.

04 - OUTDOOR SPORTING PRECINCT

With state-of-the-art sports fields and facilities, this precinct is positioned to

become a vibrant community asset, supporting local sports groups and offering

ample opportunities for community events and activities.

05 - PLAY PRECINCT

The Precinct includes all-abilities playgrounds, a skate park, and dog-friendly

areas. It's a space that invites the community to enjoy the outdoors, engage in

healthy activities, and connect with each other.

06 - CYCLING PRECINCT

Designed to fuel active lifestyles and sportsmanship, the Cycling Precinct

features mountain bike trails and a pump track, cementing the park's role as a

premier destination for outdoor sports.

07 - STADIUM PRECINCT

Envisioned as a multipurpose venue, the Stadium Precinct is designed to

host a range of sporting and community events, providing a modern space for

gatherings and competitions that support the local and regional economies.

08 - WATER MANAGEMENT

Efforts in Stony, Jones, and Kororoit Creeks focus on restoring natural habitats,

enhancing stormwater management, and building a strong ecosystem that

supports the park's diverse flora and fauna.

THE PRECINCTS

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

OVERVIEW

The Cultural and Ecological Precinct include the

conservation and habitat corridor connection to Jones Creek

located on northern land of the West Ring Road (M80), and

woodlands and grassland connecting other precincts in the

park, and space for cultural gathering nodes.

These proposed habitat restoration and natural experience

areas will provide a variety of habitat to support biodiversity

and connect with the Jones Creek cycling and walking trails

to offer opportunities for recreation.

DELIVERING THE VISION

The Cultural and Ecological Precinct offers the opportunity

to engage with Traditional Custodians and Community

Groups to tangibly deliver the Core Pillar of Caring for

Country. It includes enhancing the park’s connection to the

local waterways, increasing biodiversity, opportunities to

create artworks and to provide interpretation of the site.

KEY PROJECTS:

Re-establishment of

vegetation to protect and enhance existing habitat

corridors and increase biodiversity

Creation of a hilltop lookout to

take advantage of the views to Melbourne and the

surrounding mountain ranges. replaced by the

developing Sunshine Town Centre in the foreground.

The creation

of cultural gathering nodes and signage that narrate

the site’s history and ecological story,

Major public artworks that

stand as a prominent and identifiable symbol within

the precinct.

A network of trails and boardwalks

that facilitate exploration and connection within the

park’s diverse natural landscapes.

CASE STUDY:

YUNGGORENDI MANDE CULTURAL GATHERING SPACE

The Yunggorendi Mande Cultural Gathering Space

at Flinders University is a significant project that has

been in planning for over 30 years. The design, crafted

through extensive collaboration with the Kaurna

community, including Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis O’Brien,

teaching staff, and students, emphasises minimal

impact on the land to reinforce the healing of Country.

The construction required innovative approaches due

to the steep slopes of the university campus, which

resulted in a native landscape setting with structural

solutions that allow the natural landscape to continue

undisturbed beneath the constructed areas.

The project exemplifies community and environmental

stewardship, evidenced by the donation of over 200

bush food plants, enriching the cultural significance of

the space. The Yunggorendi Mande Cultural Gathering

Space serves as an outdoor teaching and learning area,

hosts cultural ceremonies, and provides a vital place

for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to

come together.

01. NATIVE SETTING

02. LANDMARK ARTWORK

03. CULTURAL GATHERING NODE

04. CONSERVATION AREA

01. CULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL PRECINCT

T

ransforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

KEY PROJECTS:

•

Infrastructure upgrades to

improve access and functionality, enhancing the ease

of travel for club members and visitors within

the precinct.

•

Redesign of the precinct’s

layout to better serve community clubs, especially

those situated along the park’s western boundary,

fostering integration and collaboration.

•

Active involvement with local

clubs to bolster their activities and ensure their

ongoing participation and presence in the park.

OVERVIEW

Sunshine Energy Park will be home to a series of community

clubs, supporting a variety of activities and fostering

community engagement. Currently, a number of local clubs

including The Deer Park Social Bicycle Club, Western Region

Pigeon Club, and Melbourne Off Road Radio Car Club, have

expressed their enthusiasm about being involved in shaping

the vision for the future of the park.

These community-oriented clubs are keen to sustain their

presence on the site, contributing both with activity and

passive surveillance that enhances the overall atmosphere.

To support this collaborative effort, this vision plan proposes

to enhance access and interfaces along Carrington Drive.

This improvement will benefit both the existing clubs within

Sunshine Energy Park and other community clubs located on

the western boundary of the park.

DELIVERING THE VISION

With a focus on strengthening community bonds, this

precinct underpins SEP’s vision of a connected and engaged

community. It provides a dedicated space for local clubs and

groups, enhancing community ownership and engagement,

and fostering a sense of belonging through shared activities

and events.

02. COMMUNITY CLUB PRECINCT

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

OVERVIEW

The Sustainability Precinct is set to demonstrate the shift

towards a circular economy by nurturing small-scale

initiatives that support this sustainable transition.

This precinct is planned to evolve into an innovative

sustainability hub that provides educational and

communal facilities. These will serve schools, local

businesses, and other groups, fostering sustainable living

behaviours and facilitating the local sharing economy and

reuse of resources.

DELIVERING THE VISION

Through projects like the Resource Recovery Centre

and the Solar Farm, This precinct directly advances

the Sunshine Energy Park’s vision by operationalising

sustainability and innovation on the ground. These

initiatives demonstrate a practical commitment to

ecological restoration, resource conservation, and

the generation of renewable energy. They serve as

foundational steps in creating a sustainable environment

that respects the land and offers educational opportunities

for the community to engage in green practices.

KEY PROJECTS:

•

Relocating the SSOC to expand its footprint

and include new amenities, which is critical for

enhancing operational efficiency and offering training

opportunities within the park.

•

An expanded centre at Sunshine Energy Park is

under consideration, intended to act as a centralised

recycling drop-off point for a wide range of materials.

Potential features include a Repair Café and Recycled

Goods Shop, aiming to foster community involvement

and provide training opportunities, especially for

young people, in line with council sustainability goals.

•

A raised beds space designed for

community gardens and food-growing partnerships,

aligning with the Council Plan’s Health and Wellbeing

Priorities to improve mental wellbeing, support

healthy eating and physical activity, and promote

economic and social inclusion.

•

A feasibility study and the business

case for the Solar Farm is completed. The business

case indicates establishing the solar farm in

Sunshine Energy Park is technically feasible but

not economically viable with current technologies.

Exploring different business models and alternative

technologies in conjunction with solar can be

further investigated. Creating a smaller solar system

that’s expandable for onsite generation can also be

considered in future study.

CASE STUDY: CERES

CERES Community Environment Park in Melbourne

is an exemplar of sustainable urban renewal,

transforming a landfill site into a flourishing ecological

and educational space. At its heart, the Horticulture

Hub, embodies principles of environmental stewardship

and community engagement. Through hands-on

workshops, community gardening, and a market that

supports local, organic farmers, CERES cultivates both

land and societal health. It champions biodiversity,

water conservation, and renewable practices, offering a

living blueprint for the Sustainability Precinct.

01. OPERATIONS CENTRE

02. SUSTAINABILITY & CIRCULAR

ECONOMY COMMUNITY HUB

03. HORTICULTURE HUB

04. SOLAR FARM (INTERIM)

03. SUSTAINABILITY PRECINCT

T

ransforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

04. OUTDOOR SPORTING PRECINCT

OVERVIEW

The Outdoor Sporting Precinct at Sunshine Energy Park

is set to cater to the growing demand for multi-purpose

sporting fields and pavilions. It’s been identified as the

future home of the Regional Multi-Sports facility, which will

serve the local community’s increasing sporting needs.

This precinct will be designed for both structured sports

and casual recreational activities such as walking, jogging,

picnicking, and children’s play. It will provide extensive open

grass areas and a network of cycling and walking trails that

connect to surrounding neighbourhoods, accommodating a

wide range of physical activities.

DELIVERING THE VISION

This precinct aims to make the Sunshine Energy Park a

sporting destination, driving regional sports tourism and

fostering inclusivity through the provision of varied sporting

facilities.

It’s structured to offer equitable sports access, drawing in

diverse demographics and facilitating community cohesion

through active participation.

KEY PROJECTS:

•

To accommodate

a variety of sports and meet the rising demand

for participation, with a special focus on creating

opportunities for female participation.

•

To provide a central

hub for local sports events and activities.

•

Creation of spaces

throughout the park for activities like walking, jogging,

and picnicking, catering to diverse community

preferences for leisure and physical activity.

CASE STUDY: ALBERT PARK, VICTORIA

Albert Park in Melbourne stands as an exemplar of

how urban parks can support community sports

and recreation. It serves as a major sporting hub,

housing the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and

around 20 sporting fields that support approximately

42 sporting clubs, offering activities such as AFL,

baseball, cricket, frisbee, and many more. Its facilities

accommodate a wide range of sports for all ages

and abilities, encouraging both social and

competitive play.

Additionally, Albert Park recently celebrated the

opening of a shared-use sporting pavilion at Oval One,

a development designed to support greater access to

sports facilities for local clubs, with a special emphasis

on increasing sports participation among women and

girls. This pavilion includes female-friendly change

rooms, community spaces, and

a spectator area, highlighting inclusivity and

community participation.

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

05. PLAY PRECINCT

OVERVIEW

The Play Precinct is a dynamic area within Sunshine Energy

Park designed for active leisure and community interaction.

Strategically positioned to bridge multiple precincts, it

offers a range of outdoor activities that encourage social

interaction and physical engagement.

DELIVERING THE VISION

By offering a diverse range of interactive and inclusive

recreational spaces, this precinct directly supports

community wellbeing. It’s about creating environments

that encourage active lifestyles, social connection, and a

cohesive community fabric.

KEY PROJECTS:

•

Varied and interactive

environments where people of all ages can engage

in imaginative and physical play, complementing the

park’s natural landscapes.

•

A dedicated zone designed for skaters of

all skill levels, incorporating various elements for both

street and transition style skateboarding.

•

Multi-use game areas marked for

sports like basketball and netball, serving as a social

hub for friendly competition and community-building

activities.

•

A secure, engaging area for dogs of all

sizes to play and socialise, equipped with agility

obstacles and safe enclosures, fostering a pet-friendly

community space.

CASE STUDY: SUNVALE COMMUNITY PARK

Sunvale Community Park in Sunshine is a vibrant and

welcoming space for the community. It’s known for

its engaging play spaces that cater to all ages. These

include: areas for skateboarding and scooting, as well

as interactive water features, lush green spaces for

relaxation or sports, shelters, and BBQ facilities. The

park also incorporates artworks that reflect the local

culture and stories, promoting a sense of community

and participation. It’s a destination for play, community

events and family gatherings, and a key meeting place

for Melbourne’s western suburbs families.

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

06. CYCLING PRECINCT

OVERVIEW

The Cycling Precinct at Sunshine Energy Park leverages

the natural topography to create a premier destination

for cycling enthusiasts while promoting inclusivity and

accessibility. This precinct is designed to make the most of

the park’s varied landscapes, offering challenging routes for

experienced riders and safer, gender-sensitive facilities that

encourage participation from typically underrepresented

groups, such as women in mountain biking.

DELIVERING THE VISION

This precinct is designed to position SEP as a hub for active

transport and recreation. It’s a strategic move towards

fostering a cycling culture that is inclusive and expansive,

contributing to the park’s accessibility while promoting

healthy living and reducing vehicular traffic impacts.

KEY PROJECTS:

•

A network of cycling trails

branching out from the Cycling Precinct to various

parts of the park, ensuring seamless connectivity

for cyclists.

•

Challenging trails capitalising

on the park’s natural terrain, aimed at attracting both

local and regional mountain biking enthusiasts.

•

Dynamic, skill-building

tracks designed for various ability levels, located

adjacent to Hulett Street for easy access and

extending the appeal of the park to a

broader audience.

•

Equitably designed

spaces that promote safety and comfort for everyone.

CASE STUDY: THE HILL MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK

(WADAWURRUNG COUNTRY)

The Hill Mountain Bike Park in Geelong serves as a

pioneering example of an urban bike park designed

to cater to riders of all abilities, setting a benchmark

for such facilities across Australia. It has transformed

a greenfield urban site into a multi-purpose area that

offers an array of tracks suitable for varying levels of

experience, from beginners to advanced riders. The

park includes cross-country trails, a skills track, a pump

track, and a BMX track, all aimed at safely progressing

riding skills for a diverse group of users.

Additionally, Geelong City Council’s approach to

assessing the gender impact on mountain biking

facilities highlights the importance of inclusive

planning. This assessment led to the realisation that

both boys and girls participate equally in mountain

biking activities until around the age of 13, at which

point there is a significant drop in participation among

girls due to social and structural gender stereotypes.

Primary shared path

Secondary shared path

Existing Walking and Cycling Path

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

07. STADIUM PRECINCT

OVERVIEW

A key drawcard of the Sunshine Energy Park, the Stadium

Precinct will accommodate both a state-significant stadium

and facilities that address local and regional sporting

requirements. This area is positioned to enhance the visitor

economy and support the growth of professional sports

teams in Melbourne’s west.

DELIVERING THE VISION

The stadium precinct is envisioned as a landmark that

embodies community spirit. It leverages the park’s location

to enhance visitor experience and symbolises the growth

and vitality of the western region.

KEY PROJECTS:

•

A versatile venue capable

of hosting major events, serving as a home for

professional sports, concerts, conferences as well as

regional and community events.

•

Courts for high-demand

sports like basketball and netball, and spaces for

badminton, volleyball, table tennis, and futsal,

ensuring facilities meet the community’s broad

sporting needs.

•

Innovative design

incorporating green roofs and walls to support

biodiversity and meld the stadium’s presence into the

natural landscape of the park.

•

Careful planning

to create pedestrian links to Albion Station, facilitating

convenient access for visitors and encouraging

sustainable transport options.

CASE STUDY: COMMBANK STADIUM, PARRAMATTA

This project was part of a larger vision for transforming Parramatta into a significant city hub, promising enhanced

amenities, employment opportunities, and overall economic activity. The redevelopment was carefully considered to

minimise the impact on local businesses and to provide long-term benefits to the city beyond the construction period.

The stadium is now a 30,000-seat venue with steep

grandstands, designed to bring fans close to the action

and host a variety of sports, entertainment, cultural,

community, and business events, creating a vibrant

atmosphere and contributing significantly to the local

economy and community spirit.

It was the first stadium in the world to achieve LEED

v4 Gold certification for sustainability by the US Green

Building Council, reflecting its high performance

in areas such as innovation, water savings, energy

efficiency, and sustainable material use during

construction.Features include the use of over 4,500

tonnes of Australian steel sourced within 18km of the

stadium, over 90 percent waste diversion from landfill,

and the inclusion of a 260,000-litre rainwater tank for

water efficiency.

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

Upper Stony

Creek

Wetlands

08. WATER MANAGEMENT PRECINCT

OVERVIEW

Surrounded by Jones Creek, Kororoit Creek, Stony Creek,

and the Upper Stony Creek Wetlands, the Sunshine Energy

Park stands as a critical area for the ecological preservation

of the region and water-sensitive urban design.

DELIVERING THE VISION

Centrally positioned amongst vital waterways, the SEP is

crucial for ecological regeneration. It’s a proactive approach

towards climate adaptation, ensuring SEP serves as a

blueprint for harmonising urban development with natural

water systems, crucial for sustainable urban planning.

KEY PROJECTS:

•

An efficient site

stormwater management system can effectively shed

runoff from the cap and minise the amount rainwater

percolates through to the waste mass.

•

Embedding the

principles of integrated water management into

the design of each element within Sunshine Energy

Park and utilising storm-water that is harvested in

the Upper Stony Creek Wetland to irrigate Sunshine

Energy Park.

•

A revitalisation

initiative that transforms the area into thriving

wetlands, enhancing biodiversity and creating a

climate-resilient ecosystem.

•

Projects aimed at restoring these crucial waterways

to health, supporting local wildlife, and providing

peaceful green spaces for community recreation.

CASE STUDY: FRESHKILLS PARK, NEW YORK CITY

The Freshkills Park, once the world’s largest landfill, is now a landmark project demonstrating sustainable water

and resource management in an urban park setting. The transformation of Freshkills from landfill to parkland

involved innovative strategies to manage and utilise water resources, aiming to restore natural habitats and support

recreational areas.

The park’s design incorporates extensive stormwater

management systems to control runoff and improve

water quality, essential for the revitalisation of the site’s

creeks and wetlands. These systems not only prevent

pollution from entering nearby water bodies but also

create habitats for local wildlife, contributing to the

park’s biodiversity.

A significant part of Freshkills’ water management

strategy is the restoration of natural waterways,

which were previously contaminated or rerouted.

Rehabilitating these streams and wetlands, allowed

ecological connectivity and provided new recreational

opportunities for kayaking and fishing, making the site a

model for urban ecological restoration.

Freshkills Park’s development includes the use of

native plant species in its landscaping, which requires

less irrigation, thus conserving water resources.

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

To realise the vision for Sunshine Energy Park,

integrating the park with the surrounding community

through accessible entry points and safe pathways for

pedestrians and cyclists is critical.

This plan identifies the opportunity of extending Hulett

Street towards Carrington Drive as part of creating

a welcoming gateway into the park. Hulett Street’s

improvement will be an exemplar of Brimbank’s

Creating Streets For People Policy. It will be a people

focussed place which demonstrates Water Sensitive

Urban Design (WSUD) principles, design excellence and

include extensive shade tree planting for a cooler and

greener environment.

The creation of new linkages is essential to bridge

existing barriers such as the railway line and St Albans

Road. These connections would not only enhance

access to the park but also bind it more closely with

upcoming urban developments like LUMA and Cairnlea,

promoting the park as a dynamic community space.

ALBION QUARTER

The redevelopment of Albion Station is set to play

a key role as the urban gateway to Sunshine Energy

Park. This crucial redevelopment aims to provide an

integrated interface that uplifts both the new park and

the evolving Albion Quarter. With the anticipated growth

in residential and working populations, the reimagined

Albion Station will become a hub of activity, significantly

contributing to the park’s accessibility and appeal.

The structure planning process for Albion Station and

the broader Albion Quarter is advancing.

The success of this structure planning is vital for

ensuring the timely delivery of a cohesive and

revitalised Albion area, which will complement and

enhance the park’s development and its contribution

to the Brimbank community’s well-being.

Existing pedestrian & cycle entry points

Existing road connection

Potential pedestrian & cycle entry points

Potential pedestrian & cycle connection

Potential road connection

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

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Operational Activities - Ongoing Landfill Monitoring...

Improve Entries And Key Connections

Design And Delivery Of Projects Within:

- Cultural And Ecological Precinct

- Cycling Precinct

- Sustainability Precinct

- Play Precinct

- Outdoor Sporting Precinct

Sustainability Precinct - Horticultural Hub

Sustainability Precinct - Solar Farm

Stadium Precinct

Draft Vision

Plan & Public

Consultation

Advocacy - Funding &

Partnerships

Master

Plan,

Business

Case And

Feasibility

Business Case,

Feasibility Studies

Business Case

Relevant approvals including possible planning approvals may be required throughout the timeframe.

ADVOCACY

AND DELIVERY

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.

As private investment in housing, commercial

development and associated services continue

to grow across Sunshine and Albion, developer

contributions will play a critical role in funding the

development of Sunshine Energy Park.

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, planning requirements

and detailed costings.

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ransforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

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Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

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ransforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

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Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

The draft Vision Plan will meet the

needs and aspirations of

the community.

74%

A range of methods were used to

promote the consultation:

Social media posts

YourSay Brimbank

One on one meeting

Direct emails and phone

calls to stakeholders

Face to face workshops

Flyer mail drop

to over 500 owner/occupiers

within or adjacent to the

Sunshine Energy Park

COMMUNITY AND

STAKEHOLDERS

Yoursay Brimbank And Key

Stakeholders Workshops

In December 2022, Council endorsed for consultation a

Draft Vision Plan for Sunshine Energy Park (SEP). It is a

long-term Draft Vision that, once approved, will require

partnerships and investment from government, business

and community to bring this to life over the next 30 years.

A comprehensive stakeholder engagement program

ran from 21 June to 31 August 2023 alongside broad

community engagement.

The engagement program sought feedback on the Draft

Vision Plan and to identify ideas and

potential opportunities from the following:

• Properties (landowners and tenants)

adjacent to SEP and the Albion

Quarter Precinct

• Properties (landowners and tenants)

adjacent to SEP only

• Stakeholders, both local and outside

the City of Brimbank with a potential

interest in SEP

• Advisors - organisations and government with experience

of similar projects or related expertise

• Government departments and agencies

• Elected government officials

• Brimbank Youth Council

• General community

WHAT WE HEARD

Key Stakeholders strongly support for

elements that address:

• Walking, cycling, and public transport connections

• Environment sustainability

• Community gathering and social cohesion

• Health and wellbeing

• Supporting sports in Brimbank

• SEP as a destination

• Potential partnerships

Most common topics from community:

• More balance between sporting and passive recreation

• Opportunity for a dog park

• Ensure adequate car parking for facilities

• Opportunities to locate solar on roof of buildings not take

up open space

• Provide more passive open space

• Need active transport connections into the park

EXCITING STRATEGIC

COMPREHENSIVE

WELL PLANNED

CLEVER

BRILLIANT IDEA

IMPRESSIVE

REMARKABLE

FANTASTIC

POSITIVE

TRANSFORMATIVE

INNOVATION

ALBION AND ARDEER

COMMUNITY CLUB

Key Stakeholders Participation

Formal written statements from:

Written

statements

Contacted Participated

targeted

stakeholders

86 46 14

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024

Individual project design and implementation

Master Plan

Seeking Funding

Business Cases

Strategic Analysis and

Technical Assessment

Engagement and

Consultation

Transforming Brimbank

Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan 2024