Major transport investment for regional Victoria

Improving vital infrastructure in regional Victoria remains a top priority for the Brumby Labor Government with $755.6 million to deliver major road, public transport and freight network improvement projects.

Treasurer John Lenders said the 2008-09 State Budget built on the Government’s commitment to ensure communities in regional Victoria had high-quality, efficient road and transport links.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action now to meet the growing transport needs of people living and working in regional Victoria to ensure it remains the best place to live, work and raise a family,” Mr Lenders said.

“Over the past decade we’ve rebuilt the State’s road and transport network, implemented the biggest-ever overhaul of the regional train network and invested record levels in major road improvements.

“Our investment in projects such as Regional Fast Rail has paid-off with regional rail patronage at a 60-year high but now more needs to be done to meet the challenges ahead.”

Mr Lenders said road links were crucial to the liveability of regional communities which is why the Budget would deliver $224 million to upgrade regional and rural roads including:

• $110 million towards the duplication of the Princes Hwy West from Waurn Ponds to Winchelsea to cater for increased car and truck travel, and improve travel time and reliability;
• $40 million to build a new duplicated section of the Western Hwy from Melton to Bacchus Marsh to improve safety and travel times; and
• $9 million towards the Yarra Glen Truck Bypass – a $15 million project with a $5.5 million contribution from the Federal Government and $500,000 from the Yarra Ranges Shire Council.

“Some of these projects are also listed for funding under the Commonwealth Auslink 2 program and the Brumby Labor Government will be working closely with the Rudd Labor Government to deliver these vital road upgrades,” Mr Lenders said.

“They are in addition to the $2.8 billion worth of major roads projects currently underway including the Deer Park Bypass, the Calder Freeway and the Geelong Ring Road.”

Mr Lenders said the State Budget would deliver a significant transport boost for communities in South Gippsland and the Bass Coast with $14.7 million for new bus and coach services.

“Working families in South Gippsland will have better, more frequent transport links than ever before with new timetables to be developed in consultation with the local community,” he said.

“We will build a comprehensive and efficient bus and coach network for South Gippsland and Bass Coast making it easier and more convenient for people to travel to or from this great part of our state.”

The package to be rolled out over the next 18 months includes:

• Major improvements to premium road coach services from South Gippsland, Bass Coast and Phillip Island to Dandenong and Melbourne;
• Improved inter-town connections between Inverloch/Wonthaggi and Phillip Island; and
• New and upgraded links from Inverloch/Wonthaggi, Phillip Island and Koo-wee-rup to Cranbourne and Pakenham.

Mr Lenders said the Brumby Labor Government would also continue its strong investment in the regional rail network with $254.5 million for ongoing maintenance of the regional rail network, including $7.4 million for Bendigo Corridor Safety improvements. A further $22.6 million has also been allocated for maintenance and operation of new V’Locity train carriages.

“Our Government has rebuilt the regional rail network, adding more than 400 weekly services to the V/Line timetable since 1999 and with patronage at record highs across the State, our investment is reaping dividends,” he said.

“Our Government has slashed fares on V/Line services by an average of 20 per cent and have an additional 22 new V’Locity carriages on order which will deliver major capacity improvements across the network.

“Maintenance of the Regional Fast Rail network is essential to ensuring these popular services continue to be a convenient, affordable travel option for people travelling to and from our regional areas.”

Mr Lenders said developing a sustainable rail freight network for Victoria would also continue to be a key priority for the Brumby Labor Government with the State Budget committing $239.8million for freight and port access projects.

“To meet the growing needs of farmers and customers, we have set some priorities for grain lines, vital for the sustainability of the rail freight network,” he said.

“Victoria’s major rail freight lines will be improved through a $68.4 million package, reinforcing the Brumby Government’s commitment to a sustainable rail freight network.

“As part of the funding announced in the Future Farming Statement, $23.7 million will be invested in the first stage of Gold Lines upgrades as recommended in the Fischer Rail Freight Network Review, a further $19 million for general upgrades. A further $13.3 million is also being provided for general maintenance across the freight network.

“We will also invest $12.4 million for the Geelong Rail Access improvement program for standard-gauge rail connection into the northern part of the Port of Geelong.”

The Government has also previously announced $21.4 million for the Rail Freight Support package to ensure the agriculture industry can continue to access rail freight options.

Mr Lenders said the State Budget investment across all transport modes in regional Victoria demonstrated the Brumby Labor Government commitment to providing communities with efficient transport links no matter where they live.