30th July 2024, 2:07pm
Legislative Council of Victoria, Melbourne
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan):
My constituency question is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure in the other place. My constituent is one of many thousands of Melbourne Airport workers living in the west who have no choice but to drive to work given the abysmal public transport options.
They were thrilled to see Melbourne Airport owners Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) finally agree to an above-ground station as part of an airport rail link and the mediator’s recommendation to continue the transformation of Sunshine into a major transport hub.
Sadly, the Premier has made clear yet again that this government prioritises the wealthier and better serviced eastern suburbs over the west and will forge ahead with the SRL East instead. As the Sunshine station master plan is now a ‘no regrets’ initiative, what is the government committing to do to make this project a reality and by when?
Written Answer
Received: 14 October 2024
Hon. Danny Pearson
(Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC)
The Allan Labor Government remains committed to Melbourne Airport Rail and connecting the Victorian public transport system to the airport.
As such, we welcome Melbourne Airport’s sudden commitment to support an above-ground station, which will deliver the best outcomes for passengers and for the State.
It remains unfortunate that so much time and effort has been spent reaching agreement on this matter. Melbourne Airport’s unreasonable demands have frustrated the negotiating process and led to inevitable project delays.
We are continuing to work with the Federal Government to understand the future timeline of the project and are on a path forward for negotiations with Melbourne Airport owners APAM.
In September, I was pleased that with the Albanese Labor Government, we announced that as part of the commitment to deliver the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, a $63.5 million investment will begin plans to rebuild Sunshine Station, which will also unlock capacity for future upgrades in the west.
Developing Sunshine Station as a major transport hub will unlock much-needed further growth for the train network in Melbourne’s west, as well as preparing the site for delivery of a rail line to the airport.
The Allan Labor Government also continues to improve public transport in Melbourne’s west including delivery of the new Metro Tunnel, which will transform transport in the west. We are also boosting capacity on the Melton line, making Melton level crossing free and building a new Melton Station.
The congestion busting Western Roads upgrade has delivered significant benefits for motorists and Victoria’s Bus Plan will continue to improve services across the state, providing better connections and more frequent services.
In relation to the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL), I would like to take this opportunity to explain why we regard it as such an important project.
SRL is a crucial long-term project for all Victorians that will address transport congestion on our roads and public transport and will help shape our city and State for future generations, ensuring Melbourne remains one of the world’s most liveable cities.
The project will add the wheel to Melbourne’s ‘hub and spoke’ railway network so that it is easier and more convenient for people to get around our city, creating a public transport network befitting a global city – similar to London, Paris and Hong Kong.
SRL is much more than a transport project; it is also a critical element of the Victorian Government’s Housing Strategy.
By mid-century, Melbourne will be a city of nearly nine million people – the size of London today. Importantly, the project will recalibrate population growth away from the city’s expanding outer fringes and help to deliver more jobs, affordable and diverse housing choice, and local services in our middle suburbs, in areas around the new stations.
Not only will SRL deliver important cross-suburb travel connections between major employment centres, hospitals, universities and retail, it will grow the number of jobs and housing options in the broader SRL Precincts – where people want to live. The first state alone with deliver 70,000 new homes and train stations at Deakin and Monash universities.
As Melbourne faces unprecedented population growth, we must address housing supply, congestion and jobs availability by planning now for the future, with smart and strategic city-shaping infrastructure.
SRL will be essential for our city’s liveability in the decades ahead and will play a critical role in shaping Victoria and its economic, social and cultural health for future generations.
[ENDS]
