$300 million to bust congestion across Melbourne’s growth areas

The Morrison Government will invest another $300 million to bust congestion across Melbourne by taking 13,000 cars off the road each day in key growth corridors.

 

Park-and-ride facilities at 30 train stations, across seven train lines will be built or expanded, increasing commuter car parking capacity in the fastest growing areas in the nation.

 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the corridor plan was a game-changer for hundreds of thousands of people across Melbourne.

 

“This will get thousands of cars off the roads and get people home sooner and safer,” Mr Morrison said.

 

“This is something that Melbourne people have said is a significant priority – not only will it bust congestion but it has major environmental benefits.” 

 

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this would be the largest single investment in commuter carparks.

 

“These projects will ease access to public transport, take thousands of cars off the road, bust congestion and see Melburnians spend less time in traffic and more time with their family and friends,” Mr Frydenberg said.

 

“This is part of our plan to deliver a stronger economy and a brighter future for all Australians.”

 

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said this funding would help people get onto the train more quickly while reducing congestion.

 

“I grew up in Pakenham and represent outer suburban suburbs. I know how much our city has grown and how people are sick of sitting in traffic or frustrated at lack of car parks,” Mr Tudge said.

 

The commuter car-parking plan complements the investments in major roads, rail, and congestion hot-spots.  It is all designed to alleviate congestion and make it easier for people to get around Melbourne sooner and safer.

 

This $300 million announcement is a budgeted decision and brings the total commitment to commuter car parks across Melbourne to $368 million.

 

The train lines and stations include:

 

·       Belgrave/Lilydale lines: 

o   Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Heathmont, Ringwood, Heatherdale, Mitcham, Croydon, Surrey Hills, Canterbury, Glenferrie and Camberwell stations.

·       Frankston line: 

o   Frankston, Kananook, Seaford, and Bentleigh stations.

·       Sandringham Line:

o   Sandringham, Hampton, Brighton Beach, North Brighton, Elsternwick, and Balaclava stations.

·       Pakenham Lines:

o   Pakenham, Beaconsfield, Berwick, Narre Warren, and

·       Northern Lines: up to five stations, including Craigieburn, South Morang and Hurstbridge.

 

The Park and Ride Corridor Plan builds on the Coalition’s record infrastructure investment in Melbourne and Victoria.

 

More than $27 billion has now been budgeted to towards major road and rail projects in Victoria.

 

Investments across Melbourne include:

 

·       $5 billion towards making sure the generation-defining Melbourne Airport Rail Link becomes a reality;

·       $2 billion to build fast rail between Melbourne and Geelong creating a 32 minute journey between the two cities;

·       $1.1 billion to support the South Eastern and Northern suburban road upgrade packages;

·       $500 million for a $1 billion upgrade of the Monash Freeway between Warrigal Road and Cardinia Road;

·       $500 million to complete the $1 billion M80 Ring Road upgrade from the Princes Freeway to the Greensborough Highway;

·       $475 million connect the Monash precinct by rail to the Melbourne transport network.

·       $300 million to seal roads in the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding regions;

·       $225 million to electrify the Frankston Rail Line to Baxter; and

·       $110 million for the Wellington Road Duplication.

 

Regional Victoria is also receiving significant investments to better connect the regions including:

 

·       $2.3 billion for regional rail upgrades on the Geelong, Ballarat, Gippsland, North East, Warrnambool, Bendigo and Shepparton rail lines;

·       $860 million for the Western Highway duplication between Ballarat and Stawell;

·       $345 million for the Rural and Regional Roads Package which his supporting the construction of a new Echuca‑Moama Bridge, and Great Ocean Road upgrades;

·       $342 million to complete the duplication of the Princes Highway east between Traralgon and Sale;

·       $264 million to duplicate the Princes Highway west between Waurn Ponds and Colac;

·       $300 million for other Princes Highway corridor priority upgrades; and

·       $208 million for Stage 1 of the Shepparton Bypass on the Goulburn Valley Highway.

The additional $300 million investment in park and ride facilities means that Victoria will receive close to $530 million in budgeted commitments through the $4 billion Urban Congestion Fund.