The Election Selection showcases The Courier's picks for what Ballarat projects need a funding promise in the lead up to the November state election.
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Widely recognised as the key to unlocking the illusive sub-hour journey from Ballarat to Melbourne, commuters across the rail corridor will be looking for answers on Melton electrification come November.
Along with the Geelong line, patronage on the VLocity trains between Ballarat and Southern Cross has boomed in recent years, particularly since the completion of the $3.65 billion Regional Rail Link in 2015.
Between 2012-13 and 2016-17 trips along the corridor rose by almost 32 per cent to 4.33 million, largely driven by a population boom in the city’s expanding western suburbs.
At the 2016 census the City of Melton boasted a population of 135,443, a figure expected to almost triple by 2036. Despite the astounding figures, the area is still serviced by a regional rail service.
As use has skyrocketed, performance along the line has faltered, with V/Line failing to reach its 96 per cent monthly punctuality goal since October 2016.
READ MORE: 59-Minute Ballarat: let’s make it happen
Ballarat-based property developer Joseph Van Dyke has been making the commute for more than five years and has watched his daily commute time balloon out to about 148 minutes.
He said electrification was a matter of when, not if, and legislators should be considering whether to extend the Metro service to Bacchus Marsh, not just Melton.
“Most of the benefit from the Regional Rail Link was felt in the western suburbs of Melbourne; there hasn’t been a decrease to my commute time,” Mr Van Dyke said.
“(Melton electrification) would just provide a lot more certainly that services would run on time and more frequently because you take Melton and stations beyond off V/Line.”
At both a state and federal level, the need for a better rail service to Melbourne’s booming west has been well documented.
Both Infrastructure Victoria and Australia have listed the spend as a medium-term priority, which will be required within the next decade.
Committee for Ballarat connectivity taskforce chairman Nick Beale also described it as “the biggest ticket item on the agenda” for the city’s peak lobby group.
Premier Daniel Andrews has made clear his belief that electrification to the west can be tied in with the $10 billion airport rail link, should it go through his preferred route of Sunshine.
READ MORE: $518m commitment to Ballarat rail line
“I think it (airport rail link) can facilitate further electrification into the west of our city...and beyond that underpin some really exciting improvements and enhancements of regional fast rail,” Mr Andrews said earlier this month.
A decision on which route the airport link will take is expected by September, however commuters will be hoping to hear a clear plan outlined for the future of the corridor before they head to the polls.
Meanwhile the Coalition has stapled its colours to the decentralisation mast, vowing to encourage population growth outside of Melbourne. For this to hold weight, public transport commitments must play an integral part.
Worth acknowledging is the $557 million commitment made to upgrade the Ballarat line in the 2016/17 budget, which will see major upgrades at Rockbank, Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Wendouree stations as well as the addition of several new passing loops.
While this spend will lead to improved performance and reliability on the Ballarat line, it will not make a major difference to the overall speed of the journey.
While the City Loop will not have capacity for Melton customers until after the completion of the Metro Tunnel in 2023, regional and peri-urban commuters in the west will be restless for a timeline on the project’s future.
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Over coming months, Fairfax Media will provide unrivalled coverage of the issues that matter to you backed up by regular experts commentary and analysis from former Victorian Premiers Steve Bracks and Denis Napthine, writing exclusively for Fairfax Media.
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