Plans for three new train stations and a second underground rail tunnel in Melbourne have been revealed, but a Victorian minister admits the unfunded project is “still some time away”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s part of the proposed second metro tunnel project, dubbed Metro2, backed by Infrastructure Victoria which would create a rail line between Clifton Hill in the inner north to Newport in the inner west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new plans relate to works at the Fishermans Bend precinct near Port Melbourne, which the government believes will be home to 80,000 people by 2050 but has limited public transport links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new station would be built in Docklands at Marvel Stadium and two others on the other side of the Yarra River at Fishermans Bend, according to the plan released by the state’s transport and planning department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Victorian minister Natalie Hutchins said it was “very likely” the project would be built however did not put a time frame on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s obviously got to be supported in future budgets but the really important thing is making sure that we have the land set aside and the plans in place to be able to support that in the future,” Ms Hutchins told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She hoped the plans provided certainty to industries and would-be home buyers who wanted to know whether public transport would be available in the area in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s safe to say it is some time away,” Ms Hutchins added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister denied Metro2 had been put on the back burner due to the Suburban Rail Loop project, a planned 90km orbital rail line from Cheltenham to Werribee via Melbourne Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first stage of that project is predicted to be finished in 2035 at a cost of $34.5 billion, but currently has a funding gap of $20 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest state budget shows Victoria’s net debt is forecast to reach $156.2 billion by 2024\/25 and rise to $187.8 billion by 2027\/28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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