Moreland councillor Oscar Yildiz says he already raised Daniel Andrews’ suburban loop

The suburban rail loop is the talk of the town, but one local councillor says he had the idea months ago. Is his idea the same or different? You decide.

Oscar Yildiz said he proposed a similar rail loop to the State Government. Picture: Tim Carrafa

FAWKNER could be part of a groundbreaking loop in a new State Government proposal but one local politician says he has seen it all before.

Preliminary plans for the $50 billion Suburban Rail Loop, released on August 28, shows 15 stations making up a 90km underground loop from Cheltenham to Melbourne Airport, including Fawkner, before continuing on to Werribee over ground.

YILDIZ CALLS FOR ‘OUTER RIM’ RAIL LOOP

Moreland councillor and independent candidate for Pascoe Vale at November’s state election, Oscar Yildiz, floated the idea of a similar outer rim train loop in June.

Like the government’s plan, Cr Yildiz’s loop would have included a stop at Melbourne Airport but would have circled outer suburbs such as Sunbury and South Morang, and expanded to include Mornington and Geelong. “People said to me ‘that’s a crazy idea, you’re nuts, how is anyone going to take this seriously?’” Cr Yildiz said.

An 'outer rim' rail loop proposed by Oscar Yildiz in June

A proposed map of the Suburban Rail Loop. Map: State Government

“I said this is a 50 to 100-year strategy plan, this is a big project and it links the airport and some of our suburbs as well. I’m surprised to say the least. Anything that is going to ease the traffic on our roads is going to be good, whether it is inner or outer.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said the proposal would take 200,000 cars off the road every day by linking all of Melbourne’s major rail lines.

“It is exactly what the fastest-growing city, and soon to be Australia’s biggest city, needs,” Mr Andrews said.

The loop will progress should the Labor government be re-elected in November, and the 28-year project is earmarked to be finished by 2050, with funding to come from both the government and the private sector.

Moreland Mayor John Kavanagh attended a briefing with Transport Minister Jacinta Allan on August 28 and said the idea had the council’s full support.

“This is the sort of vision that we have been looking for from the State Government for many years. It will have huge benefits for Fawkner and Moreland as a whole,” Cr Kavanagh said.

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