SRL West from Sunshine to Werribee will build on the major road and rail projects already being delivered in the west to deliver faster and more convenient travel and improve access to jobs and services in the middle suburbs SRL West will better connect people to key educational health and employment opportunities in Melbourne’s west Sunshine Hospital and the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital A significant infrastructure program of work is underway in Melbourne’s west. Together with SRL West, the Metro Tunnel and Sunbury Line Upgrade will transform train travel school and health services quicker and easier cut travel times and provide more trains more often on every train line in the western suburbs SRL Airport and SRL West will tap into and enhance the transport superhub at Sunshine While SRL East (Cheltenham to Box Hill) is the immediate focus for delivery early planning and development on SRL North and SRL West continues Artist Vonne Beyer sold her house at 9 Dakara Place featuring Kororoit Creek views and a studio Living near Kororoit Creek in Sunshine West has provided artist Vonne Beyer with plenty of inspiration across the past nine years Although she was over the moon when her four-bedroom house sold for $950,000 at an auction on Saturday with the figure coming in at $180,000 above reserve Ms Beyer said that she would miss her garden after moving out Ms Beyer bought the home at 9 Dakara Place, where the backyard has views of the creek RELATED: Yarraville: 1954 Bulldogs Premiership player Doug Reynolds sells long-time home Keilor East: Home sets new suburb price record, and why buyers are paying more than ever John Brumby’s former Footscray home hits the market just three months after changing hands “I absolutely loved it – I found it by accident I actually came to look at the house next door,” she said “The house was a little different to the others and had its own character.” She has since fixed up the property’s outbuildings transforming one into a studio that she has also used as an exhibition space Ms Beyer loves her outdoor area that’s planted with fruit trees the friendly neighbourhood and walking and cycling along Kororoit Creek with her dog to have access to all that nature and open space was so fantastic,” she said a man from an Italian background who lived there with his family and planted fruit trees in the garden a colourful feature wall and green views from every window make up part of the home’s charm Ray White Sunshine managing director Marcus Fregonese and Ms Beyer after the auction After exhibiting her work across Australia and Spain Ms Beyer has applied to the local council to do a future exhibition based on her relationship with the creek inspired by its ephemeral nature and the joy that can be found outdoors Natural Inclinations at the Neon Parlour in Thornbury featured a series of abstract paintings alongside a selection of floral works Ms Beyer said that she had recently decided to put her house on the market with plans to downsize from its 671sq m block but she was keen to purchase a new home with a smaller garden The galley-style kitchen is accented with green tiling and timber bench tops quince and loquat trees grow in the garden with a $750,000 bid kickstarting the action Ray White Sunshine managing director Marcus Fregonese said this was close to the $770,000 reserve Four bidders drove the price to $930,000 before a young couple from Melbourne’s inner western suburbs claimed the keys with a bold $950,000 offer that knocked out their rivals “The couple absolutely fell in love with the studio and gardens and how it backs onto the creek and reserve,” Mr Fregonese said “We’re starting to see the market strengthening in my area within the $600,000 to $900,000 bracket is becoming very competitive – there’s almost like a fear of missing out.” Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Preston house sells $60k above price guide as buyers chase more space Brunswick: Ramshackle house where squatters once lived scores a seven-figure sale St Kilda studio-home where Kath & Kim was cut is for sale with $8m price hopes third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. investment and liveability through planning Underpinned by transport connections to Melbourne’s CBD the Suburban Rail Loop and regional rail network the Sunshine Precinct will leverage from the $20 billion investment in infrastructure in Melbourne’s West The Sunshine Precinct will build on the area’s existing strengths in healthcare education and manufacturing to develop a vibrant urban environment that provides high quality affordable housing and strong employment growth With Sunshine’s population expected to more than double over the next 30 years the Victorian Government released a Precinct Opportunity Statement for Sunshine to give government the community and investors the confidence about how the Sunshine Precinct will grow and develop over time Much of forecast growth and change in the Sunshine Precinct will be centred around three distinctive hubs - Sunshine Station The Victorian Government’s Sunshine Precinct Opportunity Statement informs how the Sunshine Precinct will grow and develop over time Register for project updates direct to your inbox. The Department of Transport and Planning and partner agencies formed a Community Reference Group (CRG) to provide a forum for consultation and information-sharing during the development of the Sunshine Precinct The CRG helps us to better understand how we can achieve the best outcomes for the Sunshine Precinct and their feedback will inform planning and development of the Precinct over time The group includes community and business members, key local stakeholders, Brimbank City Council representatives, local members of parliament, and representatives from Rail Projects Victoria and the Department of Transport and Planning. Find out more on our Engage Victoria website where we are privileged to live and operate Members of Sunshine West’s Eritrean community have marked 30 years of brutal religious persecution in their homeland – with no end in sight for their fellow worshippers at home According to Jehovah’s Witness regional spokesman Joshua Wilson a presidential decree revoked the citizenship of Eritrean-born Jehovah’s Witnesses leaving them suddenly stateless and without the right to own property Sunshine West residents and Eritrean refugees Biniam Tseggai and his wife Yosan were two such “non-citizens” was arrested multiple times for exercising his faith He says he later lost his job at the Ministry of Fisheries because of his religious convictions Four months later he was apprehended by the military police and taken to a camp I ran away and trekked for three days to Sudan where I sought asylum I stayed for over six years working as an interpreter and clerk for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR),” he said Biniam and Yosan were part of a group of 100 Jehovah’s Witnesses assisted by the Australian Government to escape persecution The majority of that group now reside in Melbourne’s west For many Jehovah’s Witnesses living in Eritrea Being stripped of their citizenship prevents Jehovah’s Witnesses from leading normal lives and this loss of basic civil rights is further compounded by the ongoing arrests and imprisonments where many are detained indefinitely without being charged in the last 30 years at least 250 Jehovah’s Witnesses have been imprisoned – men He said at present there are 34 men and 29 women imprisoned for their faith Biniam’s brother-in-law was imprisoned for 26 years in appalling conditions after being abducted by soldiers when he was just 21 years old “Religious freedom and all human rights are very important,” Mr Tseggai said Our experience is a reminder to not take anything for granted.” Biniam and Yosan are grateful to practise their religion in peace and raise their children in the safety of Melbourne’s suburbs “The sense of community is the best part about living here we enjoy the time we spend with others in the Eritrean community,” he continued “We all know each other and have each experienced persecution in one way or another Many are sympathetic to how Jehovah’s Witnesses are treated in Eritrea.” Drivers from Sunshine West and Cairnlea were among the 10 people caught by police travelling at dangerously high speeds across Horsham and the Wimmera region last week with the majority caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 25km/h A 65-year-old Sunshine West man received a $790 fine after being detected allegedly travelling 86km/h in a heavy vehicle in a 60km/h zone on Main Street in Great Western a 37-year-old Cairnlea man was detected allegedly travelling 87km/h in a heavy vehicle in a 60km/h zone in Great Western — he received a $1087 fine Six other drivers had their licences suspended on the spot This comes amid an alarming rise in road fatalities across Western Victoria Eighteen lives have been lost on local roads this year – double the number recorded at the same time last year Police said they will be highly visible and enforcing across the state with a major focus on high-risk regional areas as well as motorcyclist safety A statewide road policing operation will also be launched early in March to coincide with the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria Brimbank suburbs have recorded fluctuating house prices with some continuing to grow steadily and others experiencing double-digit drops The latest data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) shows affordability across the municipality has improved slightly with prices falling in nearly a dozen suburbs This trend mimics prices in greater Melbourne and Sunshine West recorded a rise in median value holding firmly at $848,000 and $698,000 respectively Keilor is the most expensive suburb to buy a house in Brimbank despite one of the biggest drops in the area of 11.9 per cent with the median price currently $1 million REIV data showed strong demand for houses in the Brimbank region with 511 reported sales in 2024 units in Sunshine and Albion also posted notable changes in the last quarter – plummeting by 20 per cent to $400,000 and 35.2 per cent to $230,000 respectively According to Barry Plant Sunshine director Jason Allen the drop makes Sunshine an attractive prospect as a lower price entry point “It puts it on the map for a lot of buyers,” he said if they’re an investor or if they’re a young buyer “Sometimes affordability is an issue but this brings the attention back to these types of properties.” The drop in prices over the three-month period can also be volatile due to a relatively lower number of reported sales over the period “Demand for apartments isn’t as high,” Mr Allen said “People are prepared to buy or spend more money on a townhouse or a free standing property even in a smaller complex where they’ve got land and more potential for growth compared to what apartments offer.” A spokesperson from REIV said these price changes should be considered over a 12-month period to gain a better insight into Sunshine’s real estate market The annual median price for Sunshine units is $527,500 with the 4.5 per cent annual growth indicating stability Melbourne Airport Rail will connect Melbourne Airport to Victoria’s regional and metropolitan train network for the first time Melbourne Airport Rail forms a key part of Suburban Rail Loop – the future orbital rail line between Cheltenham and Werribee The Melbourne Airport Rail Business Case has been released showing the significant benefits the project will bring – better connecting people in Melbourne and regional Victoria to the Airport and the world Early works on the project have been completed with the first stage of the project to be underway soon at Sunshine Learn more about the Sunshine Station Superhub and the project benefits Trains will run from Melbourne Airport through to Sunshine Station, then into the Metro Tunnel and the heart of the CBD before continuing on to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines New dedicated tracks will be constructed along the existing Albion-Jacana freight corridor between Sunshine and Airport West. The tracks will divert off the freight corridor crossing the Western Ring Road (M80) and head towards the airport following Airport Drive, before arriving at a new premium train station at Melbourne Airport As a result of community feedback and rapid growth in the west, we will be building a new station at Keilor East It will provide a much-needed public transport option for the growing communities in the area Major changes to the rail network around Sunshine Station will enable a rail line to the airport and pave the way for electrification to Melton by creating a Sunshine Station Superhub A new Albion Station will also be built to become a modern and accessible station It will provide an important boost to this growing precinct The Strategic Appraisal (PDF, 749.5 KB) found that the Sunshine route performs better than other route options that were considered This finding is consistent with the recommendation of the 2012 Public Transport Victoria study The Melbourne Airport Rail Business Case presents extensive analysis which demonstrates Melbourne Airport Rail is the most appropriate solution to respond to the transport connectivity challenge to Melbourne Airport Proposed scope as part of Melbourne Airport Rail includes: The Level Crossing Removal Project is responsible for the development and delivery of this project A teenager has been arrested following a series of burglaries in the Sunshine area during January The 19-year-old man was arrested at a commercial address in Sunshine West His arrest follows an ongoing investigation into commercial burglaries between January 17 and 22 around Glengala Road Sunshine along with residential burglaries in Pellew Street Investigators said they are aware of other similar incidents that may have occurred in the Cairnlea and St Albans area involving the same male and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. A Caroline Springs man has been charged with an array of charges including four counts of stalking and incitement to rape. It is alleged the 51-year-old assumed the identities of female victims and created online profiles on various platforms between July and October. He allegedly posed as those women and engaged with males online, arranging to meet some of them in-person. There were no reports of physical injuries during the alleged incidents. Police executed search warrants in Sunshine West and Caroline Springs on Wednesday, October 30, during which multiple electronic devices were seized from the premises, as well as a quantity of drugs, according to police. The man was charged with four counts of incitement to rape, four counts of stalking another person, three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations, two counts of possessing child abuse material, the distribution of child abuse material, and possession of LSD and methylamphetamine. He was remanded and will next appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 7, 2025. While the federal government’s announcement of a bumper $2 billion funding package to transform Sunshine Station into a transport super-hub has been welcomed by residents, they say without noticeable on-the-ground works confidence will remain stalled. The boost will upgrade the station into a rail hub following the addition of new platforms and tracks — with the project also a vital part of the Melbourne Airport Rail (MAR) link. This funding comes a week after Brimbank council launched its ‘Rail before Runway’ campaign, calling on both tiers of government to deliver MAR before the third airport runway takes off. With the movement still gaining momentum, mayor Thuy Dang said she was delighted by the Sunshine station funding. “We remain passionate about getting the west moving and transforming Brimbank to be the thriving hub Victoria needs it to be, with the full delivery of Sunshine Station Precinct Master Plan, and MAR,” she said. Greater Sunshine Community Alliance member Shefton Parker said the investment is a crucial first step in unlocking private sector funding, which could help address housing shortages and improve economic opportunities in the area. “The west deserves frequent, reliable, and safe transport infrastructure that connects us to essential services and boosts investment in our region,” Dr Parker said. However, Dr Parker said, the alliance was pushing for more clarity on timelines. “We need the government to act decisively and get the job done,” he said. “While we’ve seen a series of funding announcements, the community is frustrated by the frequent pauses and delays in construction. “Announcements alone don’t create progress — we want to see real, tangible work taking place on the ground now.” Western Metropolitan MP David Ettershank added that residents, investors, and business will have more confidence if a work start-date is locked down. “We will continue to hold the big parties to account, which is why I call on [the government] to announce the start date for work on the airport rail link and Sunshine station upgrade,” he said. A spokesperson for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said project delivery timeframes will be determined in consultation with the state government and the airport, with discussions underway. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Melbourne’s property market lagged behind that of the broader nation in 2024 with home values falling over the past 12 months With some suburbs faring better than others Fact Checked It’s fair to say Australia saw a two-speed property market in 2024 with Melbourne being one of the capital cities losing ground The latest CoreLogic figures (as at December 2024) show Melbourne dwelling values fell 2.3% over the past 12 months Brisbane overtook Melbourne as the second most-expensive capital city for dwelling values (behind Sydney) and in May Brisbane’s median house price followed suit Australian property identity John McGrath said Melbourne’s softer market may in part be attributed to the Victorian government’s decision to lower the land tax-free threshold for investors in January 2024 It saw many investors leave the market and Melbourne remains “at the bottom of the pack for investor activity” It also created a surge in new property listings during the year compared to other capital cities while regional Victoria saw an even larger influx This was good news for owner occupiers looking to buy but it also saw rental properties leave the market Mr McGrath said this reduction in supply is likely to have contributed to the city’s significant rent increases alongside Melbourne’s national-high migration intake A positive for the market was a boosted entry of first home buyers and better home affordability opportunities SQM Research isn't expecting Melbourne’s housing market to bounce back any time soon The housing data analytics company sees Melbourne home values falling another 1-5% over the coming year with most of the weakness expected in the inner-city ring where SQM is seeing a surge in distressed listings SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher said if the Reserve Bank cuts interest rates mid-year by 25 to 50 basis points helping to stabilise price falls in Melbourne the Melbourne market may be presenting good long-term opportunities for buyers Here’s the pick of the city’s suburbs Median price and rent data from realestate.com.au The suburb nine kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD is the first pick of Emily Wallace founder of Melbourne boutique buyers' agency Wallace Advocates “Its proximity to the city is within commuting distance but there are a lot of properties that are available for first home and family home buyers in that pocket that would be considered affordable in comparison to other suburbs that are the same distance to the CBD,” Ms Wallace told Savings.com.au Pascoe Vale is known for its many parks and gardens yet offers a 20-minute train commute to the city and ready access to the Tullamarine Freeway It’s described as a “quiet suburb” Ms Wallace said buyers are starting to cotton on to the suburb’s appeal but she believed Pascoe Vale hasn’t hit its peak in popularity yet “It's certainly been one that people are considering when they've been priced out of the inner-northwest area and are looking a bit further afield,” she said situated 13 kilometres north-west of Melbourne’s CBD He cites the upcoming addition of a new train station as part of the Melbourne Airport Link as a boon to the suburb although that could be some years away given delays to the construction project He also likes that Keilor East sits within the multi-campus Essendon Keilor College school zone “It is a stone’s throw from the M80 ring road Highpoint Shopping Centre and vibrant Buckley Street in Essendon,” Mr McGrath said “Keilor East has all the charm and lifestyle of Essendon but with a much lower price tag.” Keilor East’s median house price is just over the $1 million mark compared with Essendon’s $1.8 million is a top pick of National Property Buyers' (Victoria) director Antony Bucello “For buyers with budgets between $600,000 to $800,000 there is a strong selection of suburbs in Melbourne’s northern and western middle-ring areas,” Mr Bucello told Savings.com.au “These locations offer promising potential for long-term growth provided you get the property purchase right.” Mr Bucello said Deer Park is an attractive option for both home buyers and investors especially those priced out of the more expensive inner-western suburbs such as Footscray or Yarraville “Deer Park provides excellent transport options via road or public transport and even the beach without too much effort,” he said The suburb is a 30-minute drive to the city or an hour to Victoria’s third largest city Ballarat via Ballarat Road making it convenient for frequent travellers or airport employees As well as accommodating three primary schools and a secondary college Deer Park is an easy commute to Victoria University’s St Albans and Footscray campuses “With a budget between $500,000 to $600,000 we would be chasing townhouses or villa units with two-plus bedrooms and one-plus car park south of Ballarat Road and near the train station,” Mr Bucello said He said such properties would give a potential rental yield of 4.5% Ms Wallace also nominates the bayside suburb of Cheltenham 18 kilometres south-east of the CBD and featuring the major Westfield Southland shopping centre “I would say that Cheltenham is still really underrated,” Ms Wallace said and an array of schools to choose from.” Ms Wallace said Cheltenham features one of the best schools per capita numbers in the city offering families a wide selection of education options The suburb is also known for its proliferation of premium golf courses and has also been undergoing gentrification in recent years with the addition of signature inner-Melbourne-style cafes and brew houses approximately 11 kilometres north of the CBD is one of Melbourne’s largest suburbs by geographical area and It is an established suburb with a mix of older homes on large blocks and new boutique developments Reservoir “feels more spacious” than its more expensive neighbours such as Coburg and Preston it is serviced by three train stations and also has shopping plazas “Reservoir is definitely benefiting from gentrification but there are pockets that are better than others,” Mr Bucello said He advises property hunters to look around Reservoir train station - the suburb has significant industrial areas in the west but a commercial focus around the railway station “Oakhill Estate holds most of Reservoir’s prestigious streets but there are some great alternatives in many other parts,” he said he recommends a townhouse or villa on a smaller parcel of land preferably with a courtyard and one or more car parking spots there are older homes on larger blocks of around 700 square metres-plus,” he said Situated inland from the neighbouring and more famous beachside suburb of St Kilda St Kilda East is another pick of Mr Grath’s He describes the “little hamlet” as having parks and good schools on its doorstep with a more “suburban feel” than its bustling neighbour “[It has] leafy streets and art deco style homes and apartment blocks but it’s just a short tram ride into the heart of St Kilda,” Mr Grath said St Kilda East is home to a diverse mix of residents including Melbourne’s Hasidic Jewish community and a strong arts and indie community around the vibrant Carlisle Street That area has been designated an 'activity centre' under the Victorian government’s Melbourne’s 2030 strategic planning framework designed to cater for the city’s ever-growing population St Kilda East is already seeing modern infill medium-density apartments on larger blocks although the suburb remains dominated by 1960s flats that may offer better affordability “St Kilda East is ideal for investors and first home buyers alike,” Mr McGrath said Mr Bucello admits the suburb’s reputation isn’t always glowing but he believes Sunshine West offers real opportunity with the suburb expected to become more popular in the coming years At 13 kilometres west of Melbourne and with an affordable median house price Sunshine West is expected to perform off the back of neighbouring Sunshine and the amenities it has to offer Sunshine train station has been earmarked for significant upgrades and Mr Bucello believes a pipeline of major rail investments for the city’s west - including the Metro Tunnel and the Western Rail Plan - will all contribute to Sunshine station’s transformation into a “transport superhub” But he concedes Sunshine West is a suburb in which you need to know your pockets “Avoid the southern end as it is largely industrial [and] avoid being too close to the freeway [M80] and the transmission lines,” he advised He would concentrate property searches near Sunshine particularly Sunshine Station or Ardeer Station two-plus bathroom house on over 600 square metres with potential to subdivide would “be a good option” Mr Bucello’s final pick is Mill Park 18 kilometres north-east of Melbourne’s CBD which he believes represents a good opportunity for buyers interested in capital growth Mill Park’s median house price is less than half of its aptly-named neighbouring suburb Plenty which comes with a median price tag of close to $1.8 million “The residents of Mill Park rave that it’s a great suburb to raise children and build a sense of community,” Mr Bucello said “It has everything you need close at hand and in a leafy green setting.” RMIT University’s Bundoora campus as well as the recently upgraded Mill Park Leisure Gym and Mill Park Library “Plenty Road runs through the suburb and can take you straight into the city by tram,” Mr Bucello said “It also connects you to the Western Ring Road which is a freeway that connects the northwest suburbs to each other without the need to travel to the CBD.” He said Mill Park offers the opportunity to buy a four-bedroom two-bathroom home under 20 kilometres from the CBD for under $850,000 with plenty of three-bedroom opportunities for buyers with smaller budgets The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for owner occupiers Learn everything you need to know about buying property – from choosing the right property and home loan tips to save money and more!With bonus Q&A sheet and Crossword Denise Raward is a senior journalist with an interest in macroeconomics She has worked extensively across mainstream media organisations and lectured at Queensland University of Technology She holds a Bachelor of Business - Communication and RG 146 financial certification in Generic Knowledge Denise strives to deliver financial information in everyday language to help Australians to better understand how to manage their own – and their families' – ongoing financial health Compare thousands of home loans rates and features from 100+ leading Australian lenders Speak to a broker and get help
choosing the right home loan Comprehensive property information at your fingertips Hear from the experts shaping Australia's financial future you might be able to use the equity you have built up to buy a second home or investment property the Northern Territory's first home owner grant scheme has been overshadowed by a more generous $50,000 boost for new home purchasers © 2025 Savings.com.au   ·   AFSL and Australian Credit License Number 515843 The information provided constitutes information which is general in nature and has not taken into account any of your personal objectives Savings.com.au may receive a fee for products displayed Our company, Savings.com.au, has obtained accreditation as a data recipient for the Consumer Data Right (CDR). You can view our CDR policy by clicking on this link Savings.com.au provides general information and comparison services to help you make informed financial decisions We do not cover every product or provider in the market Our service is free to you because we receive compensation from product providers for sponsored placements these commercial relationships do not influence our editorial integrity For more detailed information, please refer to our How We Get Paid, Managing Conflicts of Interest, and Editorial Guidelines pages we are passionate about helping Australians make informed financial decisions Our dedicated editorial team works tirelessly to provide you with accurate We pride ourselves on maintaining a strict separation between our editorial and commercial teams ensuring that the content you read is based purely on merit and not influenced by commercial interests Learn more about our commitment to editorial integrity in our Editorial Guidelines thanks to support from our partners through sponsored placements We earn compensation by promoting products For more details, see How We Get Paid We strive to cover a broad range of products Products in our comparison tables are sorted based on various factors featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes certain products may present forms designed to refer you to associated companies (e.g our mortgage broker partner) who may be able to assist you with products from the brand you selected You can customise your search using our sorting and filtering tools to prioritise what matters most to you although we do not compare all features and some results associated with commercial arrangements may still appear For more details, visit How We Get Paid and Managing Conflicts of Interest the base criteria include a $500,000 loan amount over 30 years the base criteria include a $30,000 loan over 5 years the base criteria include a $20,000 loan over 5 years These rates are only examples and may not include all fees and charges *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate Monthly repayment figures are estimates that exclude fees These estimates are based on the advertised rates for the specified term and loan amount Actual repayments will depend on your circumstances and interest rate changes once the base criteria are altered by the user will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount loan term and LVR as input by the user/you Savings.com.au is proudly part of the InfoChoice Group The InfoChoice Group is associated with the Firstmac Group We may include products and services from loans.com.au these brands are treated like any other commercial partner Learn more about how we manage conflicts of interest The information provided by Savings.com.au is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives We recommend seeking independent financial advice before making any financial decisions obtain and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) Rates and product information should be confirmed with the relevant credit provider. For more information, read Savings.com.au’s Financial Services and Credit Guide (FSCG) Stay up to date with the latest rate movements across home loans By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy Join thousands of Aussies getting smarter with personal finance news expert insights and more in our regular roundup email Receive episode alerts plus special invites to have your questions or savings tips read out on the show New data from Domain shows there are still Melbourne suburbs within 15 kilometres of the CBD with a median house price under $700,000. Considering Melbourne’s median house price is $1,039,460, these suburbs offer a lot more than a savings surplus – they’ve got the robust local community and good infrastructure to match. One even boasts the best coffee scroll in Melbourne’s west. The December 2024 Domain House Price Report reveals the 10 remaining Melbourne suburbs where you can buy a house for under $700,000 within 15 kilometres of the CBD. Braybrook in Melbourne’s west had the closest proximity to the city – eight kilometres to be exact – with a median house price of $695,000. Glenroy is the second closest at nine kilometres, with an affordable price tag of $670,000, followed by Sunshine West with an 11-kilometre trek into the city for $673,500. The two most affordable suburbs within this 15 kilometre radius are Broadmeadows and Dallas, both with a median house price of $550,000. The forgotten middle child of the property market: the stuck next-home buyer The suburbs where buyers can break into the property market fastest Historic waterfront Williamstown estate Mandalay for sale after 80 years neighbouring suburbs Albion ($670,000) and Sunshine West ($673,500) also made this list Natalie Gallenti Brekalo of Barry Plant Yarraville services both suburbs and says most buyers moving into these neighbourhoods with a budget around $700,000 are young families and young professionals. “The clientele that we’re dealing with are young professionals and young families who are probably renting in places like Yarraville or Seddon but what they can [buy] and get value for money in [Albion and Sunshine West] is far greater,” she says. 2 Baths1 ParkingView listing Beyond Albion’s fair price point, Gallenti Brekalo says the local community and buzzing strip of shops along Perth Avenue has potential buyers queuing up at inspections. “Albion is a prized pocket, tight knit community,” she says. “There’s a wonderful strip of shops with cafes, a little deli that’s been there for a long time, and on a Saturday morning it’s thriving and almost impossible to get a car spot.” Gallenti Brekalo is referring to Mitko Deli & Cafe, and for those inspection hopping on a weekend, a quick coffee scroll run at Cinnabuns next door will fuel your day wonderfully. In Albion, a budget of around $700,000 will likely get you a new-build townhouse or an older established house that requires some work. 1 Bath2 ParkingView listing A short 10 minute drive away you’ll find Sunshine West, which is a little over 10 kilometres from the CBD with a median house price of $673,500. Gallenti Brekalo says Sunshine West offers good value for buyers with a budget circling $700,000. “You’re probably looking at a three-bedroom, one-bathroom, brick veneer with lots and lots of character that is very well maintained,” she says. “The area is very multicultural, so you’ve got properties that have been really loved and cherished and 50 years in the same family.” 1 Bath1 ParkingView listing In Melbourne’s north Westmeadows is just under 14 kilometres from the city with a median house price of $655,000 Luke Abioli of YPA Estate Agents Gladstone Park is a proud local and happy to sing Westmeadows’ praises to prospective buyers – especially those with a budget around $700,000. “To buy something from sub-$700,000 and still be in a good location, good distance to the city and in a good area where you’d be happy to raise your kids, I don’t think there’s any better suburb,” he says. Within this price range, Abioli says a three-bedroom house and often a four-bedroom house is on the cards depending on what pocket of Westmeadows you want to buy in. 2 Baths2 ParkingView listing Central Westmeadows is the most sought after area of the neighbourhood, with buyers narrowing their focus to houses close to the strip of shops on Fawkner Street. “Fawkner Street’s got this really nice, sort of almost Keilor Village kind of feel, there are good pizza shops, cafes and it’s a great location,” says Abioli. Westmeadows is not only close to the CBD, it also offers frequent travellers proximity to the airport – under 10 minutes by car – where a world of adventure awaits. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. The proposed Sunshine Precinct is set to become the central hub of Melbourne’s booming west driven by significant infrastructure investments and strategic urban planning Positioned as a National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC) Sunshine is on the brink of transformative growth The vision for the proposed Sunshine Precinct is ambitious: to become the dynamic centre of Melbourne's west The Precinct is expected to accommodate up to 45,000 jobs and a population of up to 70,000 residents At the heart of the transformation is the Sunshine Station Superhub, a pivotal element designed to provide seamless transport connections to Melbourne's CBD, the Melbourne Airport The proposed Superhub will be developed through several key projects, including the Melbourne Airport Rail and the Western Rail Plan which will upgrade Sunshine Station and enhance connectivity throughout the region There’s also the proposed Sunshine Energy Park which will transform 74 hectares into a forward-thinking urban park featuring a new stadium The Melbourne Airport Rail will, for the first time, connect passengers directly from the airport to Sunshine Station and onwards through the Metro Tunnel to Melbourne's CBD Sunshine’s population is projected to more than double over the next three decades the Victorian Government released a Precinct Opportunity Statement outlining the vision for the area’s development The proposed Sunshine Precinct will focus on three main hubs: Sunshine Station Located adjacent to the future Sunshine Precinct, Development Victoria’s LUMA Sunshine North development is perfectly positioned to take full advantage of the proposed Sunshine Precinct LUMA is a masterplanned community of 300 townhouses in the heart of Sunshine North LUMA’s Urban and Tempo homes offer a range of two all within walking distance of the new Willowbark Reserve which features a children’s playground The homes at LUMA are designed with a focus on sustainability and are all electric, featuring solar PV with battery storage, double-glazed windows, and a minimum 7-star natHERs energy rating Future plans for the site include a pedestrian and vehicle bridge over Stony Creek via Metherall Street providing a link between LUMA and the existing community and new commercial and retail precincts featuring a mix of retail outlets such as supermarkets and specialty stores to support the everyday needs of local residents Development Victoria is making home ownership more accessible with its  2.5% upfront deposit offer Purchasers pay a 2.5 per cent deposit and a further 2.5 per cent up to six months after contract signing Development Victoria has appointed SAW Construction to deliver Stage 2 homes who have over 15 years' experience in townhouses construction across Victoria SAW Constructions are also building the homes in Stage 1 which have surpassed 60 per cent complete We're on a mission to radically improve the quality of Urban communities being developed across Australia We aim to showcase every development in Australia to help you find the perfect new home Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of Melbourne straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Melbourne without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Melbourne A huge new stadium and massive parklands have been slated for Melbourne's western suburbsThis development is set to transform our city's west a new project will add another feather to the west's cap – with a proposal for a massive parkland to be developed in the area it's something of a mega-park, featuring a stadium Sunshine Energy Park will be a sprawling 74 hectare site that'll transform the suburb of Albion (right next to Sunshine) adding a whole lot more for the community to enjoy The area will be divided into eight different precincts One of the most exciting new elements will be a huge multi-purpose stadium – which will have the capacity to host major events The business case for the stadium is being based off CommBank Stadium in Parramatta But this is only one small portion of the whole plan with the rest of the parklands including several sports fields one precinct of the park will be dedicated to sustainability, with a resource recovery centre aimed to reduce waste with vast open space that will include an Indigenous grasslands area art installations and a hilltop lookout boasting panoramic views.  It's designed to be a spot for the community to gather – including new facilities to support local community groups and sporting clubs.  The majority of the parklands will be located between Ballarat Road and the Western Ring Road in Albion which was previously a landfill site up until 1990 (and is still undergoing environmental monitoring).  This is a long-term project, with the vision plans only just being approved by Brimbank City Council in May this year. It's yet to be determined how the different parts of the project will be funded, and at this stage, the project will be carried out over the next 30 years. But hey, it's something to look forward to. You can find out more about the project here.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitterinstagrampinterestAbout us Contact us Sunshine is among a string of relatively affordable suburbs within 10 kilometres of the CBD where you can buy a house with at least two bedrooms and a backyard for less than seven figures. The most affordable of these suburbs is Glenroy, where the median house price is $674,568, Domain data shows. Braybrook and Sunshine North come in second and third, with median house prices of $684,000 and $715,500 respectively. Garlick, a public servant, and Cowling, a copywriter, recently sold their Sunshine townhouse and are planning to purchase a larger home in the area. “We really love Sunshine, so we’re definitely open to [buying there], and to be honest, depending on how the market goes, that’s probably within our price bracket,” Garlick said. The median house price in Sunshine – which comes in at number 10 on Domain’s list – is $807,500. Garlick, 39, and Cowling, 36, both grew up in the inner west and didn’t want to move too far away when buying their first home. Garlick said Sunshine offered the same great amenities as nearby suburbs like Yarraville and Footscray without the price tag. A collection of premium suburbs just got dramatically cheaper Would you leave Sydney and move to Melbourne to afford to buy property? ‘Priced out of Melbourne’: Why first-home buyers are choosing to buy and live in regional Australia “There’s lots of green spaces, it’s super accessible, there’s some really good cafes, and it’s affordable,” Garlick said. “Lots of young families have just started moving in … they still want to have that inner-city lifestyle and … be close to what they know, but they can’t afford [more expensive areas], and Sunshine is just absolutely perfect for that, and I think it’s really overlooked.” Domain head of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell said houses were more affordable in high-density areas where block sizes were smaller, offering more choice at a lower price. “What you’ve got is that efficient use of land coming in medium-density housing through townhouses,” Powell said. “Land comes at a premium. The closer you get to a city centre, that’s where we see efficient use of land in the form of units and apartments, and that higher density allows the ability to purchase closer to a CBD at a lower price point.” Garlick said while they would have been able to purchase a larger property in the outer suburbs for a similar price, it was important for them to be close to the CBD, family and local amenities. “We really weighed it up with our lifestyle,” Garlick said. “That’s why we ended up with the two-bedroom townhouse rather than a four-bedroom house further out, and I’m really glad that we made that decision.” Their real estate agent Marcus Fregonese, director at Ray White Sunshine, said he was seeing buyers priced out of the inner north and inner west turn to suburbs like Sunshine and Braybrook, where they can find a two-bedroom or three-bedroom home for less than $1 million. “In Sunshine, we’re seeing young first home owners coming into the marketplace, and we’re also seeing second-time buyers who are currently living in areas like Northcote, Collingwood, Footscray and Yarraville,” he said. “They’re coming out to Sunshine for affordability reasons – you get more bang for your buck.” Demographer Mark McCrindle said buyer interest in inner-city suburbs has had a resurgence since the pandemic, with some people willing to trade an extra bedroom for lifestyle and a short commute. “Post-pandemic, people were happy to look at the regions, look to the outer suburbs,” McCrindle said. “They thought they might need the extra space for a work-from-home office. They’re recognising that if they’re at home they can get by without a dedicated room. All of those shifts are bringing people closer to the CBD.” With heightened interest rates and cost-of-living pressures, McCrindle added that buying smaller homes or apartments in central areas was attractive to buyers driven by affordability. “What drives affordability is supply and particularly densified living. When affordability is the focus, these areas close to the city do give you some good options.” A pop-up Lifeblood donor centre on its way to Sunshine The centre will be available between Monday There are 85 bookings available for people to donate blood donations can be made at the donation centre from 12.30 pm to 8pm on Monday July 30; and from noon to 8pm on Wednesday One blood donation is needed every 18 seconds Lifeblood Australia revealed one in three Australians will need blood in their lifetime Australia needs about 33,000 donations every week to meet demand for patients are the biggest recipients of blood and blood products in Australia If you are between 18-75 years old and are feeling well To book an appointment to donate call 13 14 95 or book online at www.lifeblood.com.au or on the Donate Blood app An aggravated burglary in Sunshine West last month is still under investigation It is understood two male offenders entered a house about 9.30am on May 15 A man was working inside the property at the time of the incident Police were told the two offenders assaulted him He sustained non-life-threatening injuries Police have released images of two men they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries One of the men is described as being of medium build with dark brown hair and facial hair black and white trainers and a black jacket with the hood up white trainers and a black hat and face covering Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au A major freeway is shut and residents told to stay indoors as toxic smoke from a “significant” factory fire billows over parts of Melbourne Metal drums filled with chemicals have been thrown into the air from deep within the blaze posing a danger to the 180 firefighters racing to bring it under control A chemical explosion sparked the fire at the factory in Derrimut No injuries have been reported and it is believed the chemical factory was evacuated safely Hazardous material and unknown toxins are burning Fire Rescue Victoria says with the Western Freeway closed near the area for health reasons “We don’t know what’s in that smoke smoke is toxic and will cause damage,” firefighter Michelle Cowling told reporters at the scene The blaze was Melbourne’s most significant in several years was not yet under control and would likely burn for days until we can get close enough even with our aerial appliances that are on site and specialist hazmat people on site we can’t get in close enough to cool this fire down,” she said Those in nearby factories have been evacuated and thousands of people in the area told to stay indoors A watch and act alert is current for residents and workers in Albion “Wind is blowing toxic smoke towards the east across Derrimut,” the alert stated “Anyone located in the area affected by smoke should take shelter indoors immediately.” Drivers in the area have been told to keep their windows up to avoid breathing smoke and have been told not to slow down to view the fire The factory is located close to a gas pipeline but emergency services have not issued any alerts over the infrastructure One worker died and two were injured in a factory fire on the same Derrimut street in 2023 Fire caused by explosion at Derrimut chemical factory brought under control but likely to continue burning Firefighters say toxic smoke from a significant factory fire may rage for days as tens of thousands of residents are told to stay inside and a major Melbourne freeway is shut Metal drums filled with chemicals were thrown into the air from deep within the blaze on Wednesday afternoon An explosion sparked the fire at the chemical factory on Swann Drive in Derrimut at about 11.20am on Wednesday and was brought under control at about 3.30pm Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup No injuries were reported and it was believed everyone inside the building was evacuated safely, Victoria police said Hazardous material and unknown toxins were burning Fire Rescue Victoria said with the Western Freeway closed near the area for health reasons Emergency crews are responding to a significant factory fire which involved a large chemical explosion in Melbourne’s west Photograph: James Ross/AAP“We don’t know what’s in that smoke smoke is toxic and will cause damage,” firefighter Michelle Cowling told reporters at the scene The blaze was Melbourne’s most significant in several years and would probably burn for days Those in nearby factories were evacuated and thousands of people in the area were told to stay indoors A watch and act alert was issued for the fire affecting thousands of residents and workers in Albion “Wind is blowing toxic smoke towards the east across Derrimut,” the alert said “Anyone located in the area affected by smoke should take shelter indoors immediately.” Free daily newsletterOur Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day telling you what’s happening and why it matters A significant amount of back smoke is visible around Derrimut and Sunshine West, due to a factory fire. Motorists in the area, including the Western Freeway and M80 Ring Road, should keep their ventilation on recirculate and windows up. #victraffic pic.twitter.com/8G8YJFzAcy Residents away from home were told not to return while those still in the area were told to close all doors Drivers in the area were told to keep their windows up to avoid breathing smoke and not to slow down to see the fire The Environmental Protection Authority issued an air quality notice and advised anyone with breathing difficulties to ring triple zero The factory is near a gas pipeline but emergency services had not issued any alerts over the infrastructure Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters battle the factory fire in Derrimut Photograph: James Ross/AAPParamedics were at the scene but had not treated any patients a worker died and two others were injured in a fire also triggered by an explosion at a factory on Swann Drive Two students and a teacher from Marian College in Sunshine West are heading to Turkiye after being awarded the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize Year 10 student Ruby Pearce is one of the prize recipients along with fellow student Freshta and teacher Ian Francis Ruby said it is a huge honour to be a recipient ’’Going on this study tour is an incredible opportunity to represent First Nations People I can’t wait to learn about Turkiye and its culture,” Ruby said “Winning the spirit of Anzac award was incredible and I was so excited hearing I’d actually managed to win it I’m so grateful for the once in a lifetime experience I’ve been presented with.” Veterans Minister Natalie Suleyman said the prize is a great opportunity for students to ”explore Australia’s wartime and peacekeeping history and reflect on the precious freedoms we have today that we owe to the sacrifices of our veterans.” “We are pleased to support the annual prize and winning students who will soon embark on an unforgettable journey to locations in Türkiye that hold special significance in Australia’s wartime history.” “I want to thank each and every student who submitted projects paying tribute to the Shrine of Remembrance or other war memorials and showed their dedication to recognising the service and sacrifice of our veterans.” The Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize is an annual competition open to Victorian school students enrolled in years 9 to 12 with more than 500 students having been awarded the Prize since it began in 2005 This year’s prize recipients will depart on their study tour during the September school holidays The prize winners will embark on a 10-day international study tour in September visiting visiting significant historical sites in Istanbul and Çanakkale A community advice warning has been issued for Albion Derrimut factory fire: toxic smoke warning as chemical explosion triggers large blaze in Melbourne A Sunshine West house built as a tribute to its Chilean owners’ roots lassoed a new $1.3225m suburb record at auction on Saturday Ray White Sunshine director Marcus Fregonese said the four-bedroom home at 12 Kutcher Court was reminiscent of a “South American-style ranch” featuring terracotta rounded tiles colourful interiors and a large garden with fruit trees and a gazebo were surprised when five bidders drove the abode to surpass Sunshine West’s previous $1.315m house price benchmark set by 9 Armstrong St in 2017 RELATED: Sunshine: Aussie cricket legend Keith Miller’s birthplace hits for six Hot 100 suburbs to watch in 2023: Australia’s best real estate prospects Where to buy in Melbourne for first-home buyers, families and luxury buyers “It sold to a family of locals who have family living in the street,” Mr Fregonese said it was the most unique house I’ve ever had the privilege of selling.” PropTrack data shows Victoria recorded a preliminary 63.8 per cent clearance rate from 403 early results today Ray White this week released a report showing new Melbourne listings across all agencies had decreased 5.6 per cent in the year to July Bonnie Brook recorded a 192 per cent increase in new listings Ray White data analyst William Clark said this was normal for a fast-growing suburb with several new estates is for sale with a $590,000-$640,000 asking range is on the market with a $500,000-$550,000 price range the suburb has a $685,818 median house price Ray White Deer Park director Leigh Grixti said investors young families and first-home buyers were attracted to Bonnie Brook “We’ve been getting an average of eight to 12 bidders for properties in recent times,” Mr Grixti said Mr Clark said there had been no dip in the number of properties coming onto Melbourne’s market in winter “Listings have started slow but are trending well promising a solid spring of activity,” Mr Clark said The circa-1896 merges classical grandeur and contemporary sophistication One of Saturday’s top auction results was a circa-1896 house at 25 Hawthorn Grove, Hawthorn, which fetched $8.02m Kay & Burton executive director Scott Patterson said one of the owners Killena Interiors Co director Trudie Cunningham had “beautifully renovated” her family’s home Mr Patterson said a 150-strong crowd gathered for the auction The living room opens to an in-ground pool courtyard and landscaped garden “The hammer fell to a local family who have recently returned back to Australia from the US,” he said “This has to be one of the highest auction sales in Boroondara this year and will hopefully bring back some of that vendor confidence that has dropped off since the start of the year.” PropTrack is expecting 877 auctions across the state next week MORE: Why The Block 2023 could be facing auction disaster this season: Frank Valentic Melbourne landlord exodus: PropTrack figures show spike in property investors selling up Armadale: Bobby and Catherine Zagame list palatial house with indoor basketball court This is probably not the page you’re looking for Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time it was a life-changing barbecue chicken that convinced me to move to Sunshine West and the price of a three-bedroom house on 500 square metres the area was renamed Sunshine in 1907 when residents petitioned for the name-change in honour of the Sunshine Harvester one of the first commercially available combine harvesters in Australia Sunshine West takes up a fair-sized chunk of the Brimbank Council area – west of Sunshine train station the V/Line to Geelong to the north and Boundary Road to the south and one-third its reputation as one of Melbourne’s toughest suburbs Sunshine West has seen successive waves of migration Only 45 per cent of current residents were born here and 78 per cent have at least one parent who was born overseas There is no shortage of amazing food options from around the world Sunshine West looks and feels like 1970s suburbia A consistent spread of orange brick houses with terracotta tile roofs wide street frontages and a driveway for every house Don’t expect to find a Robin Boyd or a Harry Seidler here An architect viewing our house described it as “mid-century modest” – a homage to the rapid urban development of the era; well-built Scumshine or Scummers as it’s colloquially known has a long history of underworld goings-on It’s hard to miss the news stories about teenage gangs and machete attacks at the train station Sunshine West has been home to some of the most notorious figures in Melbourne’s organised crime scene Andrew “Benji” Veniamin was an altar boy at the Greek Orthodox church around the corner When my neighbours moved into their house 25 years ago you’re more likely to encounter someone taking their backyard chickens for a run by the creek than notorious hitmen Though visiting friends still crack plenty of jokes about surviving the “mean streets” apart from the aforementioned violence at the station tends to be confined to postal deliveries being stolen from front porches That and the idiots who ride their dirt bikes along the creek On weekend mornings people stroll with takeaway coffees in jars a telltale sign that they’ve visited Cafe Sunshine someone has strung a long rope swing from a giant gum tree on the side of a hill bikes and scooters tossed to the side of the path A seven-year-old boy takes his turn from high on the hill at the same time as a man on a bike rounds the corner surprised at the small human projectile hurtling towards him the boy and cyclist face off centimetres apart before the swing retracts from the potential collision Each swing is now proceeded by a chorus of “you’re good to go” as they check the paths for each other sometimes stopping to make sure the rope won’t break or to tell stories of their own childhoods playing on similar swings in far-flung countries It’s the small things that build community and connection People in the west look after each other and look out for each other more than I’ve seen in other places Maybe years of getting the fuzzy end of the lollipop in terms of government investment has left people more reliant on each other the area is still one of the more socially disadvantaged in the state Friends elsewhere think Sunshine West is far away The train runs every five minutes in the morning and delivers you to Melbourne Central within 21 minutes The Ring Road and the M1 are easy to get to and connect to most places The V/Line will get you to Geelong or Ballarat if you want a regional adventure you’ll soon be able to catch a train straight to the airport a cinema (which until recently was resplendent with purple ’90s cinema carpet) the busy law courts and a weekly market held on Hampshire Road which sells everything from crystals and hand-knitted jumpers to pots Bars and pubs (without pokies) are still few and far between you can sit inside the Bottlemart on Hampshire Road and have a drink there Some years ago, I dragged two preschool children through several house inspections solo. Exhausted, I took us to the closest place that we could sit down and eat. We arrived at a cute barbecue restaurant built in an old petrol station The large outdoor area was sheltered from the road by succulents and native trees and grasses The kids immediately spotted the giant cubby house filled with books and toys tiled orange and yellow tables dotted the space and the smell of meat over charcoal reminded me how hungry I was but that barbecue chicken and chips may have been the best I had ever tasted that chicken is still pretty good (I also now have my own backyard brood) The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here Sunshine West takes up a fair-sized chunk of the Brimbank Council area \\u2013 west of Sunshine train station and one-third its reputation as one of Melbourne\\u2019s toughest suburbs Don\\u2019t expect to find a Robin Boyd or a Harry Seidler here An architect viewing our house described it as \\u201Cmid-century modest\\u201D \\u2013 a homage to the rapid urban development of the era; well-built Scumshine or Scummers as it\\u2019s colloquially known It\\u2019s hard to miss the news stories about teenage gangs and machete attacks at the train station Sunshine West has been home to some of the most notorious figures in Melbourne\\u2019s organised crime scene Andrew \\u201CBenji\\u201D Veniamin was an altar boy at the Greek Orthodox church around the corner signalling the end of \\u201CThe Sunshine Boy\\u201D you\\u2019re more likely to encounter someone taking their backyard chickens for a run by the creek than notorious hitmen Though visiting friends still crack plenty of jokes about surviving the \\u201Cmean streets\\u201D a telltale sign that they\\u2019ve visited Cafe Sunshine Each swing is now proceeded by a chorus of \\u201Cyou\\u2019re good to go\\u201D as they check the paths for each other sometimes stopping to make sure the rope won\\u2019t break It\\u2019s the small things that build community and connection People in the west look after each other and look out for each other more than I\\u2019ve seen in other places you\\u2019ll soon be able to catch a train straight to the airport a cinema (which until recently was resplendent with purple \\u201990s cinema carpet) I dragged two preschool children through several house inspections solo I took us to the closest place that we could sit down and eat The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge which will service seven bus routes – numbers 215 232 and 903 – will replace the ageing Footscray depot Located in the Sunshine West industrial precinct the new depot will initially be home to 150 staff and 70 buses but with the capacity to add another 30 buses in the future Public Transport Victoria’s operations and performance head Warwick Horsley said the new depot would be the most advanced in Melbourne “The new depot will have the best available facilities to support the efficient operation of the bus network fuelling facilities and improved driver amenities with recreational areas and staff parking,” Mr Horsley said “In addition to improving bus services across seven routes design and construction of the new facility will provide employment opportunities for Victorian companies and their staff.” The new Sunshine centre will be one of three depots to be built this year part of a $40 million state government public transport upgrade program Brimbank council administrator John Tanner said the new depot would play a pivotal role in future growth of the west “The new TransDev depot brings employment opportunities and highlights Brimbank’s growing reputation as truly connected city with excellent transport networks,” Mr Watson said For progress reports on the new depot, visit www.transdevmelbourne.com.au Sunshine West has received a boost to its amenities and overall look in the form of a new ‘pocket park’ space Brimbank council has been hard at work transforming a traffic island along Glengala Road and part of the Gum Street road reserve into a new space boasting a space for community members to rest The state government allocated $400,000 towards the project under the Local Parks Program with Brimbank council contributing $40,000 towards the new space perimeter footpaths and paved areas and a nature garden Brimbank council mayor Jasmine Nguyen said the council was grateful for the state government’s support for the project “I would like to thank the Victorian government for its contribution to build this great new space in Sunshine West,” she said Cr Nguyen said the space also featured mosaic artworks and sculpture created by local artist Debbie Qadri with local school children “A big thank you to students at Sunshine Heights Primary School Sunshine College and Marian College,” she said “Their artwork has added colour and life to this transformed space.” Marian College community officer Rose Cassar said “The students were able to work with a practicing artist Debbie Qardri so it was wonderful for them to have the opportunity to collaborate with a professional artist,” Ms Cassar said “They were able to learn new techniques and gain insights into how a community project like this would be completed “They were asked to reflect on their memories of Sunshine going to school here and growing up around this community.” The project was part of Brimbank council’s ongoing commitment to the Creating Better Parks Policy and Plan and the West Sunshine 20 Minute Neighbourhood project The council has scheduled an official opening of the new space on Sunday Police stopped anti-fascism protesters from clashing with a group of neo-Nazis holding a “white powerlifting competition” at a boxing gym in Melbourne’s west on Saturday Dozens of anti-fascism protesters marched to the Legacy Boxing Gym in Sunshine West walking down Industrial Drive just before 3pm chanting “unite before calling on the white supremacists to face them in the street Anti-fascist protesters march in Sunshine West on Saturday.Credit: Luis Ascui The neo-Nazi group waved at the protesters and performed Sieg Heil salutes from behind a fence but did not leave the gym – previously linked to far-right groups – while demonstrators were outside a small group of balaclava-clad white supremacists walked outside the gym two police lines and a buffer zone separated both groups Victoria Police had declared the area around the gym a designated area allowing officers to search people and vehicles for weapons and remove anyone from the area they suspected intended to brawl Police kept protesters separated from the neo-Nazis White supremacist groups the National Socialist Network and the European Australian Movement were holding a two-day event for members of the “nationalist community” at the gym which has been connected to some of Victoria’s most prominent neo-Nazis The event was organised by prominent white supremacy activist Thomas Sewell and was promoted in flyers circulated on encrypted chats as a “white powerlifting competition” and luncheon with speeches and seminars to be held at a secret location for pre-approved guests only “Neo-Nazis are desperately trying to build a following and they’re doing it in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most multicultural suburbs,” rally organiser Jasmine Duff said violent men and build a movement that preaches hate and violence against the rest of Australia.” Dozens of far-right activists pose with Nazi symbology at Legacy Boxing Gym in Sunshine West An investigation by The Age last year uncovered links between Legacy Boxing Gym and a growing community of young men boxing at the gym Images posted in encrypted far-right chat groups captured a secret event at the gym last year which was adorned with swastika and SS flags Sewell, who was convicted of assaulting a Channel Nine security guard earlier this year was photographed at the event posing with a child and dozens of other far-right supporters This masthead also uncovered several pictures showing gym director Timothy Holger Lutze and young members of the gym making Nazi salutes The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here Police stopped anti-fascism protesters from clashing with a group of neo-Nazis holding a \\u201Cwhite powerlifting competition\\u201D at a boxing gym in Melbourne\\u2019s west on Saturday walking down Industrial Drive just before 3pm chanting \\u201Cunite but did not leave the gym \\u2013 previously linked to far-right groups \\u2013 while demonstrators were outside White supremacist groups the National Socialist Network and the European Australian Movement were holding a two-day event for members of the \\u201Cnationalist community\\u201D at the gym which has been connected to some of Victoria\\u2019s most prominent neo-Nazis The event was organised by prominent white supremacy activist Thomas Sewell and was promoted in flyers circulated on encrypted chats as a \\u201Cwhite powerlifting competition\\u201D and luncheon \\u201CNeo-Nazis are desperately trying to build a following and they\\u2019re doing it in the heart of one of Melbourne\\u2019s most multicultural suburbs,\\u201D rally organiser Jasmine Duff said and violence against the rest of Australia.\\u201D An last year uncovered links between Legacy Boxing Gym The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories A person has died and another man has been taken to hospital with minor injuries after fire ripped through a unit above a strip of shops in Sunshine West Firefighters were called to the blaze in a residence above a dry-cleaning business on Glengala Road on Tuesday afternoon and police established a crime scene after a body was found Arson investigators could be seen combing the scene for clues on Tuesday evening The fire is believed to have started above the dry cleaners about 4.20pm and spread to the floor below said she was inside the building when she heard a loud bang and smoke started billowing from the floor above Neighbour Agatha Yiakoumi said she arrived at the street about 4.40pm to find several firefighting crews working to put out the fire Yiakoumi said dark smoke was coming out the windows of the second floor Firefighters at the scene of the fire on Tuesday evening.Credit: Marta Pascual Juanola and then I heard there was someone in there,” she said The ceiling inside the dry cleaners appeared to have partially collapsed following the fire Items including an overturned tub of clothes and a shattered ceramic bowl littered the sidewalk Neighbours told The Age two people were believed to have been staying in the unit but the owner of the business would not confirm whether anyone had been living there Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here \\u201CBy the time I came the fire was out and then I heard there was someone in there,\\u201D she said \\u201CThere were about seven trucks.\\u201D Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens Prospective homeowners were prepared to pay the big bucks in the last part of 2020 according to new Real Estate Institute of Victoria data Data from the December quarter showed the median price of houses in Sunshine West grew by 21 per cent on the previous quarter The median sale price in Sunshine West is now $714,000 the median sale price was up by 9.7 per cent on the previous quarter just above the metro average of 9.5 per cent Median prices rose in Braybrook (4.7 per cent) Sydenham (2.2 per cent) and Taylors Hill (4.3 per cent) Sweeney Sunshine sales representative Mark Della said he weren’t surprised by the figures “The market is coming out of COVID and people are getting properties ready to sell,” he said which we see as a positive as does the REIV.” Mr Della said he had seen an increase in house sales around Sunshine West the median house sale price in Brimbank increased by 3.5 per cent well down on the metro average of 8.4 per cent Among suburbs in Brimbank with annual increases in the past 12 months were Sunshine (10.8 per cent) Ardeer (6.9 per cent) and Keilor Downs (8.7 per cent) Mr Della said the figures reflected the year it was with COVID-19 having an impact on house sales He said the market had gone a full circle and was picking up again He said they had done a number of appraisals recently with more properties to be on the market soon He said the suburbs which had been strong in recent months were set to continue to be favourites this year “There’s been a few in Braybrook and we’re hoping to sell two this week,” he said “There’s a good vibe and we’re working to get a few more listings With West Footscray and Maidstone getting to the top end Braybrook is the next boom suburb with nice left streets There will be a different demographic there “Sunshine North there is a couple there and even Sunshine West is positive.” Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to an incident on Glengala Road in Sunshine West this morning following multiple calls to Triple-0 Firefighters arrived within four minutes at 5.52am to find a hardware shop alight FRV said with neighbouring properties under threat Firefighters acted quickly to evacuate accommodation above the premises attacked the fire and the incident was declared under control at 7.40am A community advice notice has been issued for smoke in the area Brimbank council is continuing to push for interim community use of the land of the former Sunshine College campuses in Sunshine and Sunshine West councillor Thomas O’Reilly raised a notice of motion calling for council to write to Education Minister Natalie Hutchins requesting an update on the land use The multi-campus secondary school Sunshine College recently received upgrades at the north and west campuses where a new STEM facility was built at the north campus Cr O’Reilly said that the recent works consolidated the secondary school from four to two campuses and the former senior campu,s previously known as Sunshine Technical School “It was proposed the open space at the school site would become available for use by the adjacent Sunshine Primary School as well as community recreational use outside school hours until the site was to be activated for future education use,” Cr O’Reilly said “The buildings on the former Ardeer campus have been demolished during which time there were a number of fires that destroyed the buildings which caused community concerns.” In 2021 two buildings on the former senior campus the Sunshine Girls Technical School and the Sunshine Technical School boys wing were saved from demolition and were included in the Victorian Heritage Register with the support of community advocacy Cr O’Reilly said the purpose of the notice of motion was to initiate an update on the land at the former college sites and advocate that they be returned for interim community use A copy of the written letter to Ms Hutchins will also be provided to Laverton MP Sarah Connolly