There has been a lot of media and talk about the Victorian Government’s announcement of a ‘big switch’ – the launch of new train services. Shepparton isn’t a part of this announcement.
A few facts:
Stage three of the Shepparton rail upgrade was the plan to get us from 4 to 9 return services between Shepparton and Melbourne.
State governments deliver these types of infrastructure projects , but they could not fund stage 3 alone.
In 2021 the then Coalition Federal Government announced 80% of the funding requirement – $320 million.
The Victorian Government started work and announced that the project would be targeted for 2023 completion.
They then said it would be completed late 2023–24 financial year.
They then said it would be by the end of 2025.
It still hasn’t been finalised.
The Federal Coalition, driven by the Nationals, got the money. It was before I was in parliament but I saw what could be achieved when Governments are focussed on regional Australia. That is why I ran for parliament in the first place.It is disappointing that the Victorian Government is not great at delivering projects on time and on budgets.
Sam Birrell MP
Passengers on the Seymour, Echuca and Traralgon lines now have more travel options with 32 new services added.
Seymour Line passengers have 10 new services each week, giving them more travel options during the morning and afternoon peaks.
Why not extend some of those services?