{"id":50621,"date":"2024-05-22T12:27:56","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T02:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=50621"},"modified":"2024-05-22T12:28:03","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T02:28:03","slug":"outgoing-avalon-airport-boss-advocates-for-rail-connection-in-final-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=50621","title":{"rendered":"Outgoing Avalon Airport boss advocates for rail connection in final interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AVALON Airport chief executive Tony Brun, in his final interview before announcing his departure last Wednesday, reiterated that a rail connection to Avalon Airport could be achieved for just one per cent of the cost of a train to Tullamarine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His comments follow Victoria\u2019s Treasurer Tim Pallas\u2019 frustration over four years of stalled negotiations with Melbourne Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brun expressed optimism about the growing support for Avalon\u2019s rail connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a no-brainer economically. It\u2019s a no-brainer from a transport planning model. And to be honest, it\u2019s a no-brainer politically because there are so many electorates out in the west of Melbourne right down through to Geelong that benefit from it and it\u2019ll be seen as a popular choice at one per cent of the price of the alternate,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rail link to Melbourne Airport was excluded from last week\u2019s state budget, delaying the project by at least four years.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Outgoing Avalon Airport boss Tony Brun has suggested that a rail connection to his airport could be achieved for just one per cent of the cost of a train to Tulla. Photo: SUPPLIED.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Despite both state and federal governments committing $5 billion each to the $15 billion project, progress has been hampered by disagreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The primary contention is Melbourne Airport\u2019s preference for an underground station, while the state government favours a cheaper above-ground alternative. Many believe the airport lacks incentive due to the substantial revenue it generates from parking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treasurer Tim Pallas expressed his growing concern, hinting at the potential of Avalon Airport. \u201cEither they [Melbourne Airport] sort out this problem and make it a priority \u2026 or the government is going to have to look at better provisioning for airport passenger transport than what is available from Melbourne Airport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some commentators argue that using Avalon as leverage is disingenuous, but Brun sees it as a genuine and viable option. He said the proximity of Pallas\u2019 electorate to Avalon gave him a deep understanding of the benefits it could bring to the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brun believes that Melbourne Airport will remain the primary hub but stressed the need for competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLike most global cities, competition in the airport space drives greater opportunities for airlines and increases competition,\u201d he said. He noted that Avalon is well-positioned to serve this role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed train to Avalon, estimated to cost just one per cent of the Tullamarine project, could stimulate this competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need a second airport. Avalon\u2019s there ready to play that role with a big catchment,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are happy to co-contribute to deliver it. That\u2019s not something the other airport has done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brun cited the example of London Luton Airport, which adopted a staged, affordable approach to its rail connection, ultimately leading to significant passenger growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He suggested that Melbourne Airport could benefit from a similar strategy: \u201cDon\u2019t gold-plate it, just get the train there. Then, as demand grows, build something nicer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concept of a train to Melbourne Airport has been discussed for 60 years, but Brun pointed out that many Australian infrastructure projects become overly complex and unaffordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He urged a focus on simple, cost-effective solutions that address the immediate need for public transport to the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tony Brun has resigned from his role to take on a new chief executive role in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AVALON Airport chief executive Tony Brun, in his final interview before announcing his departure last Wednesday, reiterated that a rail connection to Avalon Airport could be achieved for just one per cent of the cost of a train to Tullamarine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":50640,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[273,9555,163],"tags":[9554],"class_list":["post-50621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia","category-avalon-airport","category-rail-industry-news-australia-new-zealand","tag-avalon"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t