Latest Media Coverage: Federal Budget cash for Frankston to Baxter rail line extension
THE federal government has committed funding of $225 million to extend the metropolitan electrified train line from Frankston to Baxter.
The money will be announced in the federal Budget on Tuesday night 8 May by Treasurer Scott Morrison, part of $7.8 billion for new roads and rail lines in Victoria.
The promise has been hailed by the Committee for Greater Frankston’s board and members.
The committee’s CEO Ginevra Hosking said this was the first serious commitment to a vital regional project. “We have asked the federal and state governments to each contribute an initial $200 million prior to completion of the business case, expected early next year, so the federal Budget promise is a huge boost to the project. Now we need a state contribution to match it” she said.
C4GF president Fred Harrison said a project many thought was a pipe dream had been brought into sharper focus by the Budget allocation. “The rail extension will radically transform public transport in our region, driving job creation, getting cars off congested roads, freeing up crowded car parks, improving prosperity, and making better use of public and private assets like Frankston Hospital and Monash University’s campus at Frankston.”
Federal Dunkley MP Chris Crewther welcomed the announcement. “The extension of metro rail from Frankston to Baxter … has been discussed for more than 100 years and is sorely needed by the growing Dunkley community,” he said. “The … $225 million [will] get works underway on electrification and duplication … which is crucial for our local area.
“This project will benefit our local community and is an example of the Coalition Government taking real action to better connect our community, provide growth and business opportunities, alleviate parking pressures in the Frankston CBD, improve education opportunities through better access to the Monash University Peninsula campus, and hopefully provide park and ride facilities at a number of local train stations.” He said the project would reduce commuting times for “many residents in Frankston City and the Mornington Peninsula”.
“I’m pleased that this project, which I have advocated for since before my election to Parliament, has been embraced by the Federal Government. I look forward to the federally-funded business case study for the electrification being completed and works to begin in the foreseeable future.”
On Monday, a spokesman for the state government told the committee: “We’ve campaigned hard for a fairer share for Victoria and it seems the campaign has worked. “We welcome this [rail extension] funding and we will work in partnership with the Commonwealth Government to add these works to [the state government’s] massive road and rail agenda. “Planning work is already underway on the electrification to Baxter, and we will work in partnership with the Commonwealth Government as to what’s next.”
Other Victorian projects listed in the Federal Budget will include North East Link tollway between Greensborough and Bulleen, a rail line between Monash University’s Caulfield and Clayton campuses, the Airport Rail Link, duplication of the rail line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds, and duplication of Princes Hwy between Traralgon and Sale.
Electrification of the line between Frankston to Baxter was first mooted in the 1920s. The federal government provided $3 million to the state government last year to prepare a business case.
The Committee for Greater Frankston is advocating for a new station to service Frankston Hospital and Monash University’s Peninsula campus as well as stations at Karingal and Langwarrin, two of Melbourne’s most car-dependent suburbs with 37,000 local residents. The committee is also requesting a 1000-plus space commuter park and ride next to Langwarrin station.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of extending the Frankston rail line
Media coverage of the Federal budget infrastructure package
SMH 7 May 2018 – Victoria to get $8b for new roads and rail
SBS 7 May 2018 – Canberra finds $7.8b for Vic roads, rail
Daily mail 7 May 2018 – How the Budget will slash your travel time: The map that shows where the government will spend $25BILLION on roads and rail networks – so how will YOUR city fare?
Frankston Times 8 May 2018 – Federal cash for Frankston to Baxter rail line extension
Western Port news 8 May 2018 – (print version) Page 5
Frankston Standard 14 May 2018 –(print version) Page 1 Full steam ahead for rail plan
Frankston Times 14 May 2018 – Page 1, Treasurer Scott Morrison arrives at Frankston Hospital; Page 4, Big bucks for rail but timing is everything; Page 5, ‘ScoMo’ flies budget flag; Page 6, Image Station demolished
Frankston Times 14 May 2018 Big bucks for rail but timing is everything
Frankston Standard 15 May 2018-Federal Government commits $225m for Baxter rail project
Frankston Leader 26 may 2018 – State Liberal leader Matthew Guy supports duplication, electrification of rail line to Baxter
