Geelong to Melbourne travel cut in half part of 20-year fast rail plan
04 April 2019
The
Morrison Government will deliver $2 billion to bring
fast rail to life
between
Geelong and
Melbourne, cutting the 80km journey in half to 32
minutes.
The congestion-busting
rail will be the first of its kind in Australia –
travelling at the fastest speeds of any train line in the nation at an
average of 160 km/h.
As part of the Government’s Plan for Australia’s Future Population to
take pressure off the big cities and support the growth of the regions,
the
Melbourne-Geelong fast rail would be the first of many the Liberal
Nationals Government would build over the next twenty years between the
big capitals and surrounding regional centres.
The Government’s 20-year fast rail plan also invests $40m for detailed
assessments of five additional corridors, complementing the three
presently underway that the federal government has funded, and others
that state governments are funding.
These detailed assessments will determine the next priorities for
funding and construction.
The Morrison Government will create a National Fast
Rail Agency to guide the work, determine priorities based on the
assessments, work with state governments and communities and the private
sector and provide innovative finance solutions.
It would also take enormous pressure off the Princes Freeway and West
Gate Bridge. Over 54,000 vehicles take the Princes Freeway every day.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the congestion busting investment in
infrastructure would give time back to commuters and enable more people
to live in our regions and work in our cities.
“This is all part of our plan to manage population growth that I
announced this week to take the pressure off our big cities like
Melbourne and make our regional cities like Geelong even more attractive
places to live and work,” the Prime Minister said.
“As our population grows, fast rail networks are crucial to easing the
congestion pressures in our cities and shaping Australia’s future.
“As well as reducing our migration cap and introducing new visas and
incentives to encourage more migrants out to the regional areas that
need their skills, our record investment in congestion busting
infrastructure is key to tackling Australia’s population challenges.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and
Regional Development Michael McCormack said faster rail services meant
greater accessibility to regional Australia.
“Faster rail services not only help to ease road congestion, it also
means more people can access regional centres such as Geelong and wider
region with reliable transport connections, which helps to generate more
growth opportunities, beyond the city limits,” the Deputy Prime Minister
said.
“This is all part of the
Australian Government’s plans to help
Australians get home sooner and safer, and to share these benefits in
regional Australia, by building strategic infrastructure projects that
make a real difference to peoples’ lives, and enable the flow of people,
trade and investment that is essential to having strong and successful
economies in our regions.”
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Geelong fast rail was possible
because of the Government’s plan for a stronger economy.
“As a proud and passionate Victorian, I am particularly pleased to see
this important piece of infrastructure announced by the Coalition,” the
Treasurer said.
“It will help in creating jobs, reducing congestion and unlocking the
potential of our regions.
“Investments like these can only be made because our plan for a stronger
economy is working.”
Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said
the fast rail plan was a critical part of the Government’s Population
Plan.
“Fast rail from the big capitals to the regional cities eases the
pressure off the big cities while supporting the growth of the regions,”
Minister Tudge said.
“This works alongside other measures such as reducing the migration rate
and encouraging more new migrants and students to settle in smaller
cities and regions that need them.
“Geelong is a strong growing regional centre, but transport connectivity
to Melbourne is constrained by existing infrastructure.
“During peak hour, trains are often full at key stations such as Wyndham
Vale and Tarneit, with passenger numbers exceeding capacity on the line.
Services on the Geelong Line also suffer frequent delays.
Federal Member for Corangamite, Sarah Henderson MP, said this is a
long-term, visionary project that will strengthen and grow our region
and dramatically cut travel times.
“This is a truly historic announcement,” Ms Henderson said.
“For years so many people have talked about fast rail. Today, I am so
proud to be a member of the Morrison Government that will deliver. My
job is to get things done – to deliver for my community.
“Fast trains mean so much more than fast travel times. This project
means jobs. This project means more time with your family. This means
economic growth.”
The Liberal Nationals Government’s $2 billion commitment will the $5
billion commitment to the
Melbourne Airport Rail Link which will
increase capacity between Sunshine and the Melbourne CBD.
The Morrison Government’s funding includes backing new
business cases
for fast rail between:
-
Brisbane to the Gold Coast
-
Melbourne to Albury-Wodonga
-
Melbourne to Traralgon
-
Sydney to Wollongong
-
Sydney to Parkes
--ENDS--
Source: Australian Government - www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au
Contact: N/A
External Links: N/A
Recent news by: Australian Government