The $1.5 billion fund originally intended for the East-West Link toll road project, which has been released for Victorian infrastructure spending by the Commonwealth, should prioritise the Melbourne Metro rail tunnel, according to the Australasian Railway Association (ARA).
New federal treasurer Scott Morrison this week released the $1.5 billion the Federal Government gave Victoria for the East-West Link.
When Victorian premier Daniel Andrews cancelled East-West, Tony Abbott – the prime minister at the time – said Victoria would have to give the money back unless it was spent on East-West.
But Andrews wanted to keep the money for his new project, the Metro tunnel.
While Morrison has allowed Victoria to keep the funding, he’s yet to confirm whether it will all be allowed to be spent on the rail project, however.
“It wasn’t a gift voucher,” the minister said.
“We want to see that $1.5 billion go to infrastructure projects, things like the Monash Freeway upgrade. We’ll work through the projects.”
New ARA chief Danny Broad has more specific ideas.
“The Metro Rail Project will not only increase the capacity, reliability and efficiency of Melbourne’s busiest train lines, but will also provide much needed growth for the state’s economy,” Broad said.
“With the population expected to almost double by 2050, the Government must invest in Melbourne’s public transport system to maintain the
liveability and prosperity of our growing city.
“It’s enlightening to see recent collaborative efforts between the federal and state governments in the area of infrastructure; it’s unfeasible for state governments to be expected to foot the bill for increasing rail passenger infrastructure to service our cities.”