Melbourne Airport Rail Link benefits set to improve Geelong, western Victoria network

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link may unlock capacity for “better and faster” trains to Geelong, the State Government says.

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link could help Geelong trains, according to the State Government. Picture: Alan Barber

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link may unlock capacity for “better and faster” trains to Geelong, the State Government says.

A business case for the $13 billion project will be developed by the Government in the next year and will determine if a tunnel between the CBD and Sunshine is needed and if it will be used as an alternative route for Geelong line trains.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the airport rail link could unlock capacity on the Geelong line.

“The Melbourne Airport Rail Link has the potential to unlock growth in western Victoria by creating extra capacity on congested rail corridors, meaning faster and more frequent train services to regional Victoria,” she said.

The State Government said the airport rail link will take up to nine years to complete, meaning it wouldn’t be opened until 2031.

The Government is also promising relief for Geelong line commuters by adding a second platform at Waurn Ponds Station, due to be completed in 2021.

It is understood Rail Projects Victoria is short-listing contractors for the project, which is expected to begin next year.

Meanwhile, the $736 million project to duplicate 11km of track between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds stations is yet to be fully funded.

If the project gets funding in next month’s federal Budget, it is expected to begin next year and be completed by 2023.

It comes as the City of Greater Geelong is preparing a “green paper” for the State Government of facts and figures to support their case for Geelong fast rail.

Mayor Bruce Harwood said the green paper would further strengthen council’s commitment to assisting the State Government in delivering fast rail to Geelong.

“The green paper basically takes you through the pros and cons, the financial implications, population growth implications and the whole raft of what you need to have for fast rail between Geelong and Melbourne.”

Last month council released three multibillion-dollar fast rail options developed by a leading rail consultant.

The consultant’s preferred option — following the route of the existing regional rail link and costing $10.5 billion — would get commuters to Melbourne in 32 minutes, according to a report.

It would require two 7km tunnels from West Footscray to Southern Cross Station passing under the Maribyrnong River costing $1.57 billion, and twin 2km tunnels through Sunshine costing $546 million.

Last year the State Government allocated $50 million to investigate how fast rail to Geelong could be developed as a part of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

Premier Daniel Andrews flagged a 2025 start date, after the completion of the $11 billion Metro Tunnel.

Originally published as Melbourne Airport Rail Link benefits set to improve Geelong, western Victoria network