Transport links for regional and rural Victoria

The Brumby Labor Government will invest $342 million to continue building the transport links needed to underpin regional economic growth, support key regional industries and connect communities.

The Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky, said that through record investment in new rail links, major road upgrades and freight link improvements, the 2009 State Budget built on the Government’s commitment to making regional and rural Victoria the best place to live, work and raise a family.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to ensure our regions continue to grow and thrive by investing in high quality, efficient transport connections – and by delivering jobs, with this budget alone securing up to 35,000 Victorian jobs,” Ms Kosky said.

“Over the past decade we have rebuilt regional Victoria’s road and transport network, implemented the biggest ever overhaul of the regional train network and invested in 54 new V’Locity carriages to meet the growing demand for regional rail travel.

“The 2009 State Budget starts delivery of our $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan which will create jobs now and build a world-class transport system. It continues the Brumby Labor Government’s record investment in transport infrastructure for regional and rural communities.”

The Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, said the Brumby Labor Government was contributing $390.1 million to $1.9 billion in National Building (Auslink II) road projects being delivered in partnership with the Rudd Federal Government.

“We are working with the Rudd Federal Government to make the right investments to see Victorians through the Global Financial Crisis and build for the future,” Mr Pallas said.

He said a $102.4 million investment in the Better Roads Regional Victoria Development package would deliver upgrades to major roads in regional areas with $55.1 million to maintain and continue to upgrade the state’s regional rail freight network.

“We are investing to upgrade roads, make our regional roads safer and create a sustainable rail freight network to connect regional communities, drive new economic growth and provide better transport for Victorian families,” he said.

Other key investments in Victoria’s regional and rural transport network include:

• $27.6 million enhancement of Maryborough rail services would re-instate 14 weekly train trips starting in 2010 between Maryborough and Ballarat, with connections to Melbourne;
• $22.9 million to improve bus services in Geelong, including a new bus interchange in central Geelong, improved cross-town connections and better links to Deakin University and V/Line train services;
• $8.8 million to upgrade regional stations, including better customer amenities, walkways, drop-off areas, taxi zones and improved bus to train connections;
• $44.4 million over the first four years for the Nagambie Bypass on the Goulburn Valley Highway, the next stage in the upgrade of the Goulburn Valley Highway, a vital transport route connecting the fruit and vegetable growing industries with Melbourne;
• $9.4 million for the first part of the Western Highway upgrade from Stawell to the South Australian border which will include the construction of a number of overtaking lanes, rest area improvements and planning of the Horsham Bypass;
• $8.8 million to start the Western Highway duplication from Ballarat to Stawell, beginning with the section from Ballarat to Burrumbeet;
• $56.9 million upgrade to South Gippsland Highway at Cox’s Bridge to protect the road against future flood events; and
• In partnership with the Commonwealth, $5.7 million for an $11.4 million Nhill Trailer Exchange site to the west of Nhill including planning, land acquisition and construction.