Regional delegation heads to capital for rail duplication funding

GEELONG council’s chief executive will fly to Canberra this week to lobby Government officials to deliver key projects for the region, starting with the release of $700 million for rail duplication.

Geelong’s Martin Cutter will be one of five council

CEOs to make the trip alongside G21 chief executive Elaine Carbines and the heads of the Borough of Queenscliffe, Surf Coast, Golden Plains and Colac Otways shires.

Ms Carbines said the group would advocate for the release of $700 million to duplicate rail tracks between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds stations — needed to unlock the capacity to run more train services on the Geelong line.

“Funds for the duplication are currently scheduled for 2023-24 financial year, which is an unacceptable delay for long-suffering rail commuters to Melbourne,” she said.

“The lag in funding is holding up solutions to the ‘rail pain’ that is being experienced daily by thousands of commuters. To delay work on a solution for another three or four years, when the problem is acute right now, is pure folly.”

Ms Carbines said the group would also push officials to avoid delaying key funding promises amid funding pressures from the bushfires and current coronavirus outbreak.

“We will be seeking updates on implementation of the City Deal for Geelong and the Great Ocean Road. We want to be sure the Government is on track to deliver funds against the previously released implementation timeline,” she said. “We understand the Government is under pressure.

This must not, however, delay the delivery on prior promises.”

Ms Carbines said the delegation would meet officials from the departments of Social Services, Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Industry, Innovation and Science, Austrade and Agriculture, Water and the Environment.