Andrews Government unveils $2.7 billion building blitz including road and rail upgrades
Roads will be resurfaced, railway stations spruced up and new schools built as part of a new $2.7 billion fund to kickstart the Victorian economy and create thousands of jobs.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A road and rail maintenance blitz will headline a $2.7 billion building boom designed to kickstart Victoria’s stuttering economy and create thousands of jobs.
The Herald Sun can reveal the Andrews Government will today unveil a sweeping stimulus package with shovel-ready projects including resurfacing roads, fixing train tracks, sprucing up railway stations and upgrading piers and jetties.
>> TAP HERE TODAY’S LIVE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Half of the $328.4 million transport infrastructure program will be spent in regional Victoria — hit hard by bushfires and travel restrictions — and another 41 per cent of projects will benefit both regional and metropolitan areas.
“We’re getting to work on hundreds of new projects across the state, meaning shovels in the ground — and boots in the mud — within a matter of weeks and months,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Ten new schools will be built and old classrooms revamped in $1.18 billion in education works.
Education Minister James Merlino said the new schools and extra classrooms would deliver space for 21,000 more students and create 1600 construction jobs.
The package includes $438m to build the 10 new schools and $388m for upgrade and modernisation works at 57 sites.
Last week, the State Government revealed the Budget was $773 million in the red with three months left in the financial year, and Treasurer Tim Pallas said the worst was yet to come during the coronavirus crisis.
The government expects the new road and rail projects to create or support about 650 jobs, with further stimulus spending to be announced today.
Those who have lost jobs during the pandemic will be prioritised for employment on the new projects through the government’s $500 million Working for Victoria initiative.
Extra work will also be guaranteed for small and local employers.
Public transport infrastructure will get a $192 million boost, including $90.5 million to upgrade and replace signalling, sleepers and ballast on regional tracks to ensure smoother commuter trips and quicker freight movement.
Another $62.6 million will be spent improving the maintenance of tram and V/line rolling stock, and $23.3 million will be used to upgrade 15 railway stations and stops with new toilets, better seats and improved disability access.
Rubbish, graffiti and hazardous trees will be removed from regional rail corridors in an extra $5.6 million program.
Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne said the investment would “improve the passenger experience across our public transport network”.
The funding comes on top of the annual $620 million public transport maintenance program, and $870 million already spent looking after the state’s roads.
It includes $58 million for extra road maintenance and road surfacing, $42.8 million to strengthen bridges, and $22.8 million targeted at fixing roads damaged during the summer bushfire emergency.
“This will deliver safer roads, stronger bridges and faster freight journeys, as well as helping bushfire affected areas recover and rebuild,” Roads Minister Jaala Pulford said.
Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan Minister said: “These vital projects will make our transport networks safer and more reliable, create hundreds of jobs and help kickstart our economy following the devastating impacts of coronavirus.”
MONDAY HEADLINES: ROLLING CORONAVIRUS NEWS IN VICTORIA
WHAT SMALL BUSINESSES NEED TO DO TO AVOID WIPE-OUT