Council proposes to create a new public plaza in Sunshine, next door to the new Vietnamese Museum Australia being built at 119 Durham Road, Sunshine by mid-2026.
What is planned
The plaza will be a welcoming public space for everyone to enjoy, honouring the Traditional Owners and celebrating all refugee and multicultural communities in Brimbank.
The pedestrian-only, well-lit space will have plenty of seating, garden beds and public art by a local Indigenous artist. The large gum trees already on site will be retained, and more trees will be planted.
The plaza will serve as a forecourt to the new museum and a connection between R T Pollard Gardens and Durham Road, Sunshine. The plaza is intended to be a destination in its own right and will be open to the public at all times.
Concept design
The plaza concept design was shaped by engagement with Traditional Owners Wurundjeri Council, a range of multicultural groups and the Brimbank Youth Council. It can be viewed above. Work on the detailed design will follow next.
Consultation coming on proposed name
At the 18 March 2025 Council Meeting, Council also endorsed ‘Wominjeka Plaza’ as the proposed name for the new plaza. Wominjeka meaning ‘welcome’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people, was the name recommended by Wurundjeri Elders during consultation on the plaza design. Council will shortly undertake community consultation on the proposed name.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Thuy Dang said: “I am very excited to see plans progressing for a wonderful new public plaza at Durham Road Sunshine, to be built next to the new Vietnamese Museum Australia.
“The plaza has been designed to be a safe public space, which recognises the Traditional Owners of the land and all refugee and migrant communities and helps provide a boost for the local businesses around the site.
“I am sure the new plaza will become a popular spot for the local community and help activate the area. We’re also looking forward to the new Vietnamese museum attracting many visitors to Sunshine. This will help boost local tourism as well as our business, cultural and economic growth.”
Construction of the plaza is planned to take place in 2026. Council is currently advocating to both the Federal and State Governments, for funding for this unique cultural plaza project.
More information
For more information visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/durhamroad
