A $10 billion passenger rail fund announced in the federal budget offers hope the $100 million upgrade of the Warrnambool rail line promised by the state government might be fulfilled.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan invited the state government to apply to the fund for money to upgrade the Warrnambool line.
“I call on the state government to immediately present its costings and plans for the Warrnambool line so they can access this fund,” Mr Tehan said.
The state government’s announcement last week of its $100 million plan to upgrade the Warrnambool line, using money held by the federal government, angered Mr Tehan who said there had been no agreement the federal government would provide the money.
Other initiatives announced in Tuesday night’s budget included $100 million to duplicate the rail line between Waurn Ponds and Geelong, speeding up train trips between Warrnambool and Melbourne.
“There is also money in the budget to ensure Deakin University’s Warrnambool campus has an ongoing future.
“There is also $30 million to restore the infrastructure at Alcoa’s smelter that was damaged in the power outage last year,” Mr Tehan said.
The Coalition government had also followed through on its election promise last year and allocated $20 million in the budget for more new road pavement and road safety upgrades of the Princes Highway between Colac and the SA border, he said.
- More budget, Pgs 8-9
