By Laura Michell
Reallocating funding for upgrades to Sunshine station to projects elsewhere in Melbourne risks future plans to electrify the rail line to Melton, Melton council and the chair of LeadWest hasvewarned.
On Tuesday, April 1, federal opposition leader Peter Dutton and opposition infrastructure spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie announced that a Coalition government would redirect $2 billion the federal government committed for upgrades at Sunshine station and $2.2 billion committed for the Suburban Rail Loop to other rail and road projects.
These include duplicating Donnybrook Road and planning for the extension of the Upfield train line in the north and extending the Frankston train line to Langwarrin and Baxter in the south-east.
Mr Dutton and Ms McKenzie said the Coalition would also provide an extra $1.5 billion for Melbourne Airport Rail, with the state Liberals to provide $1.5 billion if elected in 2026.
They said upgrades at Sunshine station to connection regional and suburban passengers to the airport would be funded under the extra $3 billion, however, they have not committed to funding other improvements at Sunshine which would pave the way for electrification of the train line to Melton.
LeadWest chair and Melton councillor Phillip Zada said removing any funding from the upgrade to Sunshine station would have a “detrimental effect“.
“If they take these funds away, it risks the electrification [to Melton], airport rail and freight lines,“ he said.
“With the growth in the west, we need the electrification to Melton.“
Cr Zada said Mr Dutton and Ms McKenzie needed to justify reallocating the funding and talk to the community to understand why the upgrades are so important, adding that Melton residents have been waiting a long time for upgrades to their rail line.
“They don’t understand what it means to be in the west,“ he said.
Melton mayor Steve Abboushi said the full upgrade of Sunshine Station is required to create more capacity and platforms for additional services for Melton.
“We are strongly calling for a commitment and timeframes for the electrification of the Melton rail line. Our growing community deserves equity in access to efficient, frequent public transport.,” he said.
“With half of our residents lacking access to public transport within walking distance, and an additional 45,000 commuters projected over the next 30 years, electrification of the Melton rail line needs to happen as a priority.”
