Former Queensland transport department director-general Neil Scales has been saddled with the task of getting Melbourne\u2019s stalled airport rail link moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Commonwealth has appointed Mr Scales to resolve a long-running stand-off between the Victorian government and Melbourne Airport over whether the airport railway station should be elevated or underground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Scales, a High-Speed Rail Authority board member and former director-general of Merseytravel in the UK, has begun the work and plans to visit the airport this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King in November flagged she would appoint an independent mediator to resolve the dispute after the mega project was spared the axe following a federal infrastructure review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Melbourne Airport prefers the project\u2019s airport station to be built underground but the Victorian government is pushing for it to be elevated, arguing it would cost taxpayers $1 billion less, take two fewer years to build and cause less disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Victorian government spokesman welcomed Mr Scales\u2019 appointment to resolve the airport\u2019s \u201cunreasonable demands\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMelbourne Airport has refused to contribute a single cent towards Airport Rail and these frustrating negotiations have caused significant delays to the project,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe look forward to the Commonwealth progressing matters with Melbourne Airport so that we can continue to deliver the major projects that Victorians need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The airport isn\u2019t shying away from its stance and denied it hadn\u2019t offered to stump up funding for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMelbourne Airport was part of a consortium that offered up to $7 billion for an underground airport station and express tracks from Sunshine,\u201d a Melbourne Airport spokesman told AAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe state government rejected it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Victorian and federal governments have previously committed to contributing $5 billion each to the project, which is expected to cost between $8 billion and $13 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rail line to connect Melbourne to Tullamarine was originally due to be completed by 2029, with new and redeveloped stations in Melbourne\u2019s west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Melbourne Airport\u2019s land is leased by the Commonwealth to Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited under a 50-year deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A planning application for the Commonwealth-owned land can only be submitted by the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms King\u2019s office was contacted for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: AAP<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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