Federal Budget 2018: Victoria’s big money on a drip-feed

A $7.8 BILLION federal infrastructure boom for Victoria will start slowly, with most of the money to flow to major new projects next decade.

A $7.8 BILLION federal infrastructure boom for Victoria will start slowly, with most of the money to flow to major new projects next decade.

After years of neglect, ­Victoria has been given some road and rail love, with new projects totalling $2.6 billion more than the next fastest-growing state.

The Turnbull Government has locked its $5 billion pledge for a Tullamarine rail link into the Budget, despite pushing for an alternative way to fund the $15 billion project. But only $250 million will come in the next four years, with a preferred route yet to be selected and construction unlikely to begin for several years.

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Just $200 million of the $1.75 billion promised for a North East Link toll road — to connect the M80 ring road at Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen — has been allocated over the next four years.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who is also Infrastructure Minister, said the overall spend was part of a $75 billion infrastructure “pipeline” to be spread over 10 years.

“Our pipeline will create approximately 50,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade,” he said.

“The investment will bust congestion in cities to get commuters home sooner and safer.”

Victoria’s infrastructure cash injection also includes money for a Monash University rail link, electrifying the rail line between Frankston and Baxter, and a $140 million package to tackle road congestion.

Avalon airport will get $20 million for international passenger services, which should see 400,000 people use that airport.

Treasurer Scott Morrison said the spending was an ­investment Australia needed.

This week, Premier Daniel Andrews said a “spirited campaign” by Victoria meant the state would finally get a fairer share of federal infrastructure spending.

He said he would meet Mr Turnbull “very soon” to discuss priorities and the potential routes for a rail link between the airport and the city.

The Budget also flags a $3 billion investment in an East West Link, to connect the Eastern Freeway and the Western Ring Road, should a future government build it.

State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has pledged to build the East West Link if his Coalition is elected this year.

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