The Victorian Government has called on the Federal Government to release funding for the Regional Rail Revival program so work can begin on projects.
In December 2017, the Victorian Government reached an in-principle agreement with the then Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester for $1.57 billion to be delivered. However, this finding has stalled.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, and Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, called on the Federal Government to deliver the funding.
The Victorian Government is proposing the Melbourne-Albury section of the Melbourne-Sydney rail corridor be upgraded to at least a Victorian Class two standard for passenger services, to enable quicker, more modern trains, and give communities in the North East the services they expect and deserve.
Upgrading this section of the corridor will bring it into line with other parts of Victoria’s regional passenger network and drive creation of jobs, stimulate local business and provide new opportunities for the region.
The Victorian Government has presented the Commonwealth with a proposal for additional funding to achieve this.
Planning and defining the scope of works has already begun to meet the transport needs of passengers and regional communities.
The Victorian Government has submitted a number of proposals to the Commonwealth to release funding for the first stage of Regional Rail Revival works packages which will deliver:
- Planning and development funding across the program, to get future packages of works ready for market on the Gippsland, Geelong, Warrnambool and Ballarat lines
- Upgrades to signaling and track speed upgrades on the Bendigo and Echuca lines
- Stage two of the Ballarat Line Upgrade, to improve freight and passenger services
- Early works on the Gippsland Line to upgrade level crossings and undertake critical preparatory works
- Level crossing upgrades on the Warrnambool Line
- Planning study to identify infrastructure improvements to boost freight capacity in the Shepparton region
- Funding to secure the Armstrong Creek transit corridor
