Funds squabble leaves train upgrades in limbo

Improvements to Gippsland train services are in limbo as the State and Federal government squabble over funding for major upgrades.

Premier Daniel Andrews has threatened that a $1.45 billion overhaul of regional railways in now in jeopardy and plans for an additional 142 country passenger train services across Victoria, 18 of them for Gippsland, won’t go ahead unless the Federal government provides more money.

Last week’s Federal budget provides more than $500 million towards rail works in Victoria, including $290 million for the Gippsland line.

In its state budget a week earlier the state government said it planned to spend $435 million on Gippsland rail upgrades with duplication of the track between Longwarry and Bunyip, second platforms at both stations and a new bridge across the Avon River at Stratford the major components.

Central to the stand-off between the two levels of government is the amount of Federal money to be paid to Victoria under the Commonwealth-states Asset Recycling Initiative, with the state claiming it is owed $1.45 billion by the Federal government for regional rail upgrades, $450 million more than what has been allocated in the Federal budget.

The Committee for Gippsland welcomed announcements by the Federal government that it said addressed critical questions for the region that have been left unanswered by successive government for too long.

Chief executive officer Mary Aldred particularly mentioned the emphasis on rail and infrastructure with the funding to provide a pathway forward, particularly in relation to rail.

State member for Narracan Gary Blackwood praised Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester and Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent on their efforts to achieve the commitment to Gippsland’s rail network.

He said the Federal budget was a stark contrast to the state budget that did not deliver one cent of State funding to the rail projects.