Torquay rail link backing

Council tells politicians: We’re on board

SURF Coast Shire has thrown its weight behind a public transport corridor from Geelong to Torquay, with councillors pressing the state and federal governments to consult them on the issue.

The first stage of “Surf Coast rail” was locked in this week when the Andrews Government confirmed $110 million of commonwealth funding toward the project.

It came as part of almost $1.5 billion of Federal cash for the Regional Rail Revival package, which was announced in the Victorian Budget in May.

Planning work is now under way to duplicate the rail line from South Geelong to Waurn Ponds.

The funding will also be used to reserve the rail corridor for a future spur line to Torquay, connecting the Surf Coast to the rail network for the first time.

Surf Coast Shire, which voted unanimously this week to write to the state and federal governments on the issue, has also prepared concepts for the State Government on other potential options for a transit corridor to Torquay. Options being floated by the council include light rail, heavy rail, or a dedicated bus lane.

Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney said the Andrews Government was committed to delivering better public transport across the state.

“We’re investing in the future planning of the Surf Coast to better connect our communities, improve services, increase safety and reliability, and drive local jobs for years to come,” Ms Tierney said.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said the upgrade would pave the way for duplication to Waurn Ponds and better servi- ces to the Surf Coast.

The RACV has called for “a break in the political impasse on infrastructure between the federal and state governments”.

RACV public transport and mobility manager Thanuja Gunatillake said major regional centres were struggling to keep up with demand and regional commuters faced problems with reliability, punctuality and overcrowding on parts of the network.