The Prime Minister is the latest leader to back a proposal to build a dedicated tunnel between Southern Cross station and Sunshine as part of an airport rail link, a key to freeing up future fast regional rail services.
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Scott Morrison has backed the "quick link" airport rail tunnel through Sunshine over the cheaper alternative of existing tracks being considered by the Andrews government.
Reports last week that the Andrews Government was considering a cheaper surface option were met with strong opposition from regional leaders who argue the congestion at Southern Cross will make a sub-hour Ballarat rail journey impossible.
The State Government insists no decisions have been made on the project.
The federal government has offered $5 billion to build an airport rail link that would see trains travel from Southern Cross to the airport, via Sunshine.
During a visit to Melbourne, Mr Morrison confirmed that his government was pushing for a "quick link" to the airport that would include a rail tunnel to Sunshine from Southern Cross.
Rail experts say that a tunnel is crucial to delivering 15-minute city-to-airport services running every 10 minutes, making the train competitive with SkyBus, taxis and ride-share operators
This level of service would not be achieved without a tunnel, they say, and warn that fast rail to Geelong is not workable without a separate underground airport link, because the alternative plan would see airport trains "jammed in" with Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo services on the same lines.
The federal government committed $2 billion to Geelong's fast rail before the May election.
The airport rail line was a key election promise of the state and federal governments, who have pledged a combined $10 billion towards the project, which is meant to be completed in 2027.
"What we've talked about, and we've talked about together is ensuring that we have a quick link out to Tulla," Mr Morrison said.
"And that link to Sunshine is also very important in terms of how it connects to the Geelong [fast rail] project as well".
When asked if he would support dedicated tracks to the western suburb, Mr Morrison said: "That's been what we've been bringing to the table".
The Age revealed that the state government is considering an alternative option that would use existing tracks to Sunshine.
When the Andrews government confirmed the Sunshine route to the airport last year, the project was estimated to cost $8 billion-$13 billion. The cheaper option is believed to cost about $5 billion.
Premier Daniel Andrews said decisions were still yet to be made about how the airport rail would be built.
"There are two components to this project, there is Sunshine to the airport and there is the city to Sunshine. There are a whole bunch of engineering decisions to be made there, there's a private sector proposal that's come forward ... there are some key decisions to be made there," Mr Andrews said.
"But be in no doubt we will build something that is efficient, effective and represents value for money ... and is something that people will use."
The Premier said train frequencies and the cost of airport train tickets were still to be confirmed.
If the train was "slow and congested and stopping at all stations, people won't use it", he said.
The existing Regional Rail tracks are currently at capacity, with up to 17 trains running along the corridor at the busiest hour.
Adding airport trains along the congested corridor risks compromising desperately needed new services to Melbourne's booming western suburbs, president of rail think tank Rail Futures Institute John Hearsch warned.
"It would inhibit Wyndham Vale from getting the additional trains it needs," Mr Hearsch said, meaning that Wyndham Vale commuters would continue to use the overcrowded Geelong regional line.
with The Age
