Federal and state Liberals join forces to extend Frankston train line

ONE of Melbourne’s busiest train lines would get an 8km extension under a $450 million Coalition plan. VIDEO: SEE WHERE THE LINE WILL GO.

ONE of Melbourne’s busiest train lines would get an 8km extension, almost a century after being electrified, under a $450 million Coalition plan.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy will be joined by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday as he pledges to build twin electrified tracks from Frankston to Baxter should he win November 24’s Victorian election.

The federal government put money on the table to help pay for the suburban rail project earlier this year.

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Under Mr Guy’s plan, stations would be built in Frankston East and Langwarrin, near Monash University and the Frankston Hospital. Construction would begin in 2019.

Metro services would replace the diesel car services, which run to Stony Point, along the new section of track.

Mr Guy said a “jam-packed” Melbourne, growing by about 120,000 people a year, needed more services.

“We need to ease the population squeeze which is why I am so focused on planning for decentralising our population growth, and that means more roads and more public transport,” he said.

“We need to provide more education and health services as well as build and upgrade rail lines to areas like Langwarrin and Baxter.”

State opposition leader Matthew Guy says a “jam-packed” Melbourne needs more services. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Mr Turnbull said the Baxter project would “ensure commuters on the Mornington Peninsula can get home to their families sooner and safer as well as bringing them closer to more employment opportunities as well as educational and health facilities”.

“These are the types of projects that Victorians can expect when they have state and federal Liberal and National governments working together to deliver for local communities,” Mr Turnbull said.

Mr Guy recently promised to spend $487 million to extend the Cranbourne train line to Clyde if he is elected.

Money will also go towards extra bus services between Frankston and other parts of the Mornington Peninsula.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the extension will allow commuters to get home to their families sooner. Picture: AAP/David Crosling

A business case for the rail upgrade, paid for by the federal government, is under way.

When that was announced in April, state Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the project could not be done without new stabling at Kananook for trains, which would require several business acquisitions opposed by the Liberals.

State and federal seats in the Frankston region are politically important, and the area will get significant focus in the lead-up to the November 24 state election.

Frankston Council has argued the project would ease congestion and create jobs.

Opposition public transport spokesman David Davis said Labor had taken the area for granted and it should have matched Turnbull Government funding on the table.

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