Stir continues over basin rail project

A Murray Basin Rail Project continues to attract controversy with Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster concerned about reports the State Government might be using ‘inappropriate’ concrete sleepers on Sea Lake line work.

She said reports indicated sleepers being used would only be compatible with broad-gauge rail, meaning ‘any future work to fully standardise the Murray Basin Rail Network will require all new replacement sleepers compatible with standard gauge’.

“Should these reports prove to be true, this is a critical error by the Victorian government, and is another damning indictment on their capacity to deliver this vital infrastructure project,” she said.

“On top of $195-million to revive the stalled project, the Federal Government committed an additional $5-million to allow for a plan for the full standardisation of the network.

“The Federal Government requested the State Government match this additional commitment, which is yet to take place.

“The move to install sleepers incompatible with standard gauge shows the Andrews government is either not capable of delivering this project efficiently, or they are deliberately trying to prevent the full standardisation of the network. Frankly, I can’t decide which is worse.”

Dr Webster’s comments came days after the federal and state governments issued a joint statement about how both parties were working together to improve the network.

Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael Mccormack and Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said almost 70,000 new sleepers were being installed between Korong Vale and Sea Lake.