State budget media release from the Premier of Victoria

Tuesday, 05 May 2009

The Brumby Labor Government will invest a record $3 billion to deliver new rail lines, more stations and new roads, as well as securing jobs and stimulating investment in Victoria.

The Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky, and the Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, said the 2009 State Budget marked the start of delivery of the Brumby Labor Government’s $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan, which will deliver 100,000 jobs and transform the State’s transport system over the life of the plan.

“The 2009 State Budget starts delivery of our $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan which will build a world-class transport system and create jobs, with this budget securing up to 35,000 Victorian jobs,” Ms Kosky said. “Our $3 billion investment in transport and jobs is an important part of the Brumby Labor Government’s stimulus strategy to help Victorians through the Global Financial Crisis.

Ms Kosky said the investment signalled a major construction phase for rail projects outlined in the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan to add extra tracks, more trains and deliver more services on the busiest lines.

“More people than ever are using Melbourne’s trains, trams and buses. The 2009 State Budget delivers funding to get on with the job of delivering more services, to more people, more often,” Ms Kosky said.

Key public transport projects to get underway this year include:

• $650.6 million for 20 X-Trapolis trains as part of the rolling stock investment program;

• $562.3 million to extend the Epping line to the growth suburb of South Morang – securing up to 460 jobs in construction;

• $204.6 million to electrify the Sydenham line to Sunbury – securing up to 240 jobs in construction;

• $60.8 million for the grade separation of the Springvale Road level crossing in Nunawading, with the Rudd Federal Government contributing $80 million to the $140 million project – securing up to 220 jobs in construction;

• $152.6 million to build new stations in some of Melbourne’s biggest growth areas in the west and south-east, securing up to 210 jobs in construction;

• $132.1 million for a range of measures to improve reliability and capacity of rail services across Melbourne, including 24 additional staff to assist with passenger movements and improved driver changeover practices;

• $112.1 million to begin implementation of the Doncaster Area Rapid Transit (DART) project to improve public transport options in the Manningham Area; and

• $85.9 million to extend the existing Yellow SmartBus Route 901 service (Ringwood to Frankston) to Melbourne Airport through Blackburn, Greensborough, South Morang, Epping and Roxburgh Park.

The Brumby Labor Government has allocated $23 million to improve bus services in Geelong, including a new bus interchange in central Geelong, improved cross-town connections and better links to Deakin University and V/Line train services.

A $27.6 million enhancement of Maryborough rail services will result in 14 weekly train trips starting in 2010 between Maryborough and Ballarat, with onward connections to Melbourne. The Brumby Labor Government also will invest $8.8 million to upgrade regional stations.

The Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, said the new road projects in the 2009 State Budget were crucial to driving the Victorian economy in the short, medium and long term.

“The Brumby Labor Government’s 2009 State Budget outlines over $2.4 billion in new road projects which are important building blocks to help Victorians through tough global times and position the state to capitalise on the worldwide recovery from the Global Financial Crisis,” Mr Pallas said.

“Projects will start this year and generate jobs this year – jobs and investment that are critical to supporting Victorian families through the Global Financial Crisis.”

The 2009 State Budget metropolitan roads package includes:

• $354.3 million over four years for Peninsula Link, securing 4000 jobs in construction for the life of the project;

• $206 million for metropolitan and regional road improvements, securing up to 200 jobs in construction;

• $27.8 million for Green Transport initiatives;

• $13.3 million for noise walls;

• $5 million for a Hoddle Street Engineering Investigation; and

• $1 million for scoping works for a sophisticated Urban Road Management Systems program for the future.

The Brumby Labor Government is contributing $390.1 million to $1.9 billion in Nation Building (Auslink II) road projects being delivered in partnership with the Rudd Federal Government.

Road projects to be delivered in partnership with the Rudd Federal Government include $129 million for Stage 1A of the $2.25 billion M80 Ring Road Upgrade project, which will widen the road between Sydney Road and the Tullamarine Freeway.

Mr Pallas said work on the 25km toll-free Peninsula Link project from EastLink at Carrum Downs to Mt Martha would commence this year and secure 4000 jobs and significant economic stimulus for the state and national economy over the life of the project.

“Peninsula Link will significantly reduce congestion on the busy Frankston Freeway and Moorooduc Highway and will enable motorists to travel from the heart of Melbourne to Rosebud without facing a traffic light,” Mr Pallas said.

An additional $22.6 million will be provided for road maintenance in the 2009-10 financial year. New road commitments in the 2009 State Budget come on top of $900 million worth of major regional road projects and $1.6 billion of major metropolitan road projects in progress, including the $1.39 billion M1-CityLink-West Gate Upgrade.

The 2009 State Budget also confirms over $900 million for a range of transport projects, including those associated with new Central Activities Districts, such as station upgrades, bike paths, and the previously announced north east rail revitalisation project.