SCOMO’S $2b FAST RAIL VOW

PM promises cash for 32-minute Geelong to Melbourne bullet train

GEELONG commuters will get 32-minute trips to Melbourne in a $2 billion bullet train pledge under a re-elected Coalition Government. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will be in Geelong today to announce the nation’s first high-speed train project.

GEELONG commuters will finally get 32-minute rail journeys to Melbourne in a $2 billion bullet train commitment under a re-elected Coalition Government.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will be in Geelong today to announce the nation’s first high-speed train project.

It would see trains travelling at average speeds of 160km/h to halve the current 61-minute journey between Geelong and Southern Cross station.

Upgraded track with the addition of new high-speed trains would achieve the 32-minute travel time, which would be dependent on matching State Government funding.

Although construction would likely begin within the next two years, the project cannot be finished until after completion of the airport rail line in 2031.

Mr 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.

The project would also ease gridlock pressure on the West Gate Bridge and Princes Freeway, used by more than 54,000 cars and trucks each day.

“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,” Mr Morrison said.

“As our population grows, fast rail networks are crucial to easing the congestion pressures in our cities and shaping Australia’s future.”

The Federal Government funding — to be unveiled in next month’s Budget — comes after repeated calls for a fast rail line to connect Melbourne and Geelong, which has the state’s most voracious appetite for regional rail.

According to a council commission report last year, fast rail would lead to a rise in Geelong property values, and could produce major socioeconomic benefits by creating jobs for residents in Geelong’s northern suburbs.

As part of the Federal 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 Coalition Government would build over the next 20 years between the big capitals and surrounding regional centres.

The Geelong line will use the line to be built from Southern Cross to Sunshine as part of the airport rail link.

Faster trains will stop at Sunshine Station before running express to Geelong.

Options to stop at other stations along the way will be considered as part of the business case.

Geelong station will also have to undergo a significant upgrade as part of the project.

Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said the visionary project would provide jobs for the growing region and dramatically cut travel times.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the fast rail plan was a critical part of the Government’s population plan.

“Geelong is a strong growing regional centre, but transport connectivity to Melbourne is constrained by existing infrastructure,” Mr Tudge said. “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.”

Last month, a strike force of six regional Victorian councils united in a quest to deliver urgently needed infrastructure for regional areas, including fast rail to Geelong.

The State Government last year allocated $50 million to investigate how fast rail to Geelong could be developed as a part of the airport rail link.

“THIS IS ALL PART OF OUR PLAN TO MANAGE POPULATION GROWTH … AND MAKE OUR REGIONAL CITIES LIKE GEELONG EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK SCOTT MORRISON