Moonee Valley Council anger over Suburban Rail Loop Airport station pause

The government’s plans to pause the airport rail link has been labelled as more “broken promises” for Melbourne’s north western suburbs.

Councillors in Melbourne’s northwest have been left angered over plans to pause the state’s long-awaited airport rail link.

It was revealed over the weekend that the state government would suspend work on the $8-13bn project as it attempts to cut the state’s rapidly rising debt.

It has been revealed the airport rail, known as SRL Airport, was “under review” in the upcoming federal budget expected next month.

Moonee Valley City Council called an unscheduled meeting on Tuesday night to deliver a stern rebuke against the state government’s proposal.

Cr Samantha Byrne said she only found out about the proposal to pause the project when it was revealed in the Saturday Herald Sun.
“There has been community outrage with Twitter exploding (and) local Facebook pages expressing their disgust at the situation … many comments have been about how it was all a lie, the neglect of the west and how we are losing out because other levels of government can’t manage their money,” she said.

“The council was not contacted nor briefed about the proposed delay prior to the announcement.

“I am not interested in finger pointing I just want this project to go ahead.”

Several councillors were left angered SRL East, the first part of the state government’s project, is set to be saved from any budget cuts while the west is left behind.

Cr Jacob Bettio urged the government to deliver the rail link and East Keilor station on time after “40 year of broken promises”.

“Keep in mind that the current cost estimate for the first two stages of the Suburban Rail Loop have come in at $125 billion dollars … on the flip side the airport rail link is predicted to cost only 10 per cent of this project, but this is the project that is in doubt,” he said.

“I appreciate that governments, much like we do, have to make tough decisions but I am tired of those decisions coming at the cost of our community.

“Our city deserves its fair share and our residents are tired of watching their hard-earned taxes flow straight into marginal seats.”

It comes after Infrastructure and Transport Minister Jacinta Allan criticised project negotiations with Melbourne Airport on ABC Radio, saying they had been “slower” than she would have liked.

Melbourne Airport has been consistently advocating for an underground station.

“It is important that the new rail station works for all airport users, not just those who arrive by train, and that it is a station all Victorians can all be proud of,” they said previously.

The council will urge local MPs Ben Carroll and Bill Shorten to reaffirm its advocacy position while a report will be prepared over the council’s next steps for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link and Keilor East/Airport West railway station.