A railway station, roads upgrades and land for new schools top the list of projects Melton council wants funded in next week’s state budget.
Melton council has been strongly advocating to the state government to set aside funding for the Toolern railway station that was first promised six years ago when the Toolern Park precinct structure plan was approved.
The station, which is proposed for adjacent to 201 Ferris Road, is expected to cost $20 million.
The federal government had committed $125,000 for a feasibility study to help plan for the station in the 2012-13 budget. The study has since been used to set out design works for the duplication of the Ballarat railway line instead.
Another project that’s been in the pipeline since the approval of the Toolern Park PSP is the Ferris Road grade separations, expected to cost $44 million.
Melton council engagement and advocacy manager Dan Hogan said the grade separation was essential for the Toolern activity centre, which will one day have 7000 square metres of retail floor space.
Mr Hogan said the council had also been strongly advocating for the state government to purchase land and build new schools at Eynesbury, Burnside and Bridge Road, Melton South.
“As the City of Melton continues to grow at a rapid rate, it is vital that investments are made in delivery of critical infrastructure,” Mr Hogan said.
“The current state of the public transport system acts as a disincentive for CBD-bound commuters, who instead are forced to opt for long, congested car commutes. The funding of the Toolern train station will significantly help in alleviating this issue.”
Moorabool council is advocating for a number of projects to help alleviate traffic congestion in Bacchus Marsh, including western and eastern links and an “integrated transport solution” for the town.
It has also identified the Parwan Employment Precinct, an indoor aquatic centre and the re-opening of the Gordon railway station as priorities.
The state government will hand down its 2017-18 budget next Tuesday (May 2).
