IT’S full steam ahead for a Ballarat rail connection to the airport after the state government matched a federal commitment of $5 billion to build the route.
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Sunday’s funding announcement also confirmed a state government preference for the link to be constructed through Sunshine with a business case to be conducted over the next two years to determine the best alignment.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allen from the state government point of view, the Sunshine link was confirmed, with a hope of construction to begin in 2022 with the line open by 2026.
“We’ve never been this far before,” Ms Allen said. “There’s never been a commitment of $10 billion from both state and the Commonwealth, there’s never been a preferred alignment chosen and there’s never been a business case started.”
Analysis produced as part of initial work on the business case shows that the Sunshine route rated 4.3 out of 5, the highest of the four route options provided, with a total cost in the range of $8-13 billion.
The route will be a boon for regional communities with travellers able to change at a new super station at Sunshine to make their way to the airport.
Ms Allen said the link was the best result for regional Victoria.
“It can connect our regional areas to the airport which for us has always been a really strong focus. We want to maximise the benefits for Victoria as a whole.”
Rail Futures Victoria president John Hearsch said the news was a positive development.
“We are pleased that the state and federal governments have agreed that it is a very important project to be proceeding with,” Mr Hearsch said.
“We’ve always advocated for the Sunshine interchange and particularly for Ballarat, Geelong and the regions in the north and west of the state, it will be of considerable benefit.
While the final route is yet to be determined, Mr Hearsch said he would like to see a separate line from the Metro system, which Ms Allen said would be worked through during the business case.
“Sunshine has all the other attributes it needs but the main issue with this project is the route between the city and Sunshine,” he said.
“We don’t believe it is sensible to use the Melbourne metro lines. But we do believe that $8-14 billion will be enough to build a new line.”
Mr Hearsch said he expected bi-partisan support from all sides of government, regardless of who wins the state election in November.
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