Andrews Government: Melbourne’s airport rail will run through west

PREMIER Daniel Andrews has fully settled on Melbourne's airport rail going through the city's western suburbs, despite the federal government not yet approving a route.

PREMIER Daniel Andrews has insisted Melbourne's airport rail will go through the city's western suburbs, despite the federal government not yet approving a route.

Advertisements running in newspapers this week reveal the Victorian government has fully settled on the Sunshine Station route, at the same time as the Commonwealth is still assessing two other options.

The federal government has already budgeted $5 billion to help Victoria build the project, while the Andrews Government has committed another $5 billion if it wins the November state election.

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Federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said the Sunshine route was attractive, but the government had not yet made a decision.

“We want to ensure the route delivers the best benefit to Victorian travellers,” Mr Tudge said.

“The Coalition Government wants to see the rail link to the airport built as quickly as possible, which is why we have allocated and locked into the budget $5 billion towards this project.

“It would be great if the state government put up real money today, rather than making it a condition of being re-elected.”

Artist impression of a proposed Sunshine railway station on the airport rail link.

Multiple studies have chosen a route running from Southern Cross to the airport, with a major interchange at Sunshine, as the best option.

But the federal government hasn’t officially ruled out going through Highpoint and Maribyrnong, or a third option of using the Craigieburn line with a spur between Essendon and Tullamarine.

In the new advertisement, Rail Projects Victoria has called for construction companies, designers, engineers, and property owners to register their interest to help build the airport rail link.

“The Melbourne Airport Rail Link will connect the airport to metropolitan and regional rail lines via Sunshine Station,” the advertisement states.

The Sunshine option also has the option of connecting with Geelong and Bendigo.

A full business case is currently being developed and construction is due to start in 2022.

While the federal government has made its commitment, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has said he would continue with the project, but wanted to see the final plans.

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