Prime Minster Anthony Albanese has announced a cash splash for Victorian roads and rail, including major work at Sunshine station, a boost to services on the Melton rail line and funding to fix potholes in outer Melbourne.
The federal government will allocate $2 billion in funding to create a new rail hub at Sunshine, with new platforms and tracks which would play a key role in the proposed Melbourne Airport rail link.
The planned new station will allow travellers on V/Line regional services from Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat to bypass the city and go directly to the airport.
Mr Albanese also announced funding for the electrification of the Melton line, and $1.2 billion for suburban roads in the Mitchell Shire, Cranbourne West and Carrum.
Money is available for roads in the Cranbourne area but not for the rail network the residents have desperately been asking for?
Mr Albanese said previous roadblocks that have stymied the Melbourne Airport rail link had been overcome.
“For a while there was the issue of where the station would be at the airport, that issue has been resolved,”
Mr Albanese said.
The state government has preferred a cheaper above-ground station, while Melbourne Airport has long advocated for an underground station.
An underground railway station is exactly what is required for Melnbourne Airport especially when you consider the new terminal developments.
Airport rail link will not be ready until the 2030s
Premier Jacinta Allan said following the funding announcement, it was a “good day for Victoria”, but that the timeline would stretch into the next decade.
The government had announced following its budget in 2024 that the Airport Rail Link would be pushed back by at least four years.
Ms Allan said the funding would enable to government to bring forward the development of the Sunshine section of the project, which was a necessary leg of the Airport Rail Link.
She said the Sunshine stage was to be completed by 2030.
This will be the 3rd rebuild of the station with then over $1b invested in a railway station!
However, Ms Allan said the final connection from Sunshine to the airport was likely to face further delays.
“We now have to go through a process of resetting the timeline for delivery of the overall project,”
Ms Allan said.
“In order to deliver the train line to the front door of the airport, we need the airport’s support as well.”
In a statement, the Melbourne Airport said it was co-operating with the government on the project.
“Melbourne Airport is working constructively with both the state and federal governments to ensure this important piece of infrastructure is delivered for Victoria.”
We need some detail on this it stinks of a political move and will not deliver what the community is looking for.