Builders Named for Sunshine Station and Airport Rail as Melbourne Property and Industry Shift

Major transport infrastructure works in Melbourne are progressing with the selection of contractors for the airport rail project. Victoria's Big Build announced that a preferred bidder has been named for Melbourne Airport Rail, while Mirage News reported that work is moving full steam ahead on Melbourne Airport Rail. According to Australian Aviation, builders have now been tapped for Stage 1 of the Melbourne Airport rail link.

Station works form a key part of the rail program. Railway Supply reported that CPB and SMEC have been chosen over an FCC group to rebuild Sunshine Station in Melbourne. According to Infrastructure Magazine, the Sunshine Station upgrade advances the airport rail project. In separate transport planning news, Wyndham Star Weekly reported that experts are set to discuss the proposed Outer Metropolitan Ring Road.

Melbourne's housing market and residential development sector are also experiencing shifts. Both The Age and SMH.com.au reported that Melbourne is set to drop out of the $1 million club as house prices fall. Regarding housing policy, SMH.com.au reported that Labor plans to make North Melbourne a first-home buyer haven, while the Coalition has other ideas. Meanwhile, The Weekly Source reported that Bupa is seeking approval to replace a Croydon aged care home.

Across the health, research and technology sectors, several organisations reported major updates. PharmaDispatch reported that BioNTech has opened an mRNA plant, putting Melbourne's north on the biotech map. At the same time, The University of Melbourne announced a new chapter for public health at the university, and the Doherty Institute highlighted the Melbourne that big ideas could shape. Conversely, The Guardian reported that shares in Australia's largest datacentre operator, NextDC, dived as its Melbourne expansion was delayed.