Infrastructure Minister Catherine King open to more Suburban Rail Loop funding

A total of $2bn has already been poured into the divisive Suburban Rail Loop project— and one federal minister is open to it getting even more funding.

More funding for the Suburban Rail Loop and a new major freight terminal for Melbourne have been supported by federal infrastructure minister Catherine King.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has left the door open to providing more cash for the contentious Suburban Rail Loop project, also revealing her support for a second new major freight terminal for Melbourne.

The Ballarat MP outlined her priorities – which include regional rail upgrades in preparation for the 2026 Commonwealth Games – in an interview with the Herald Sun.

Ms King, who has been in the job for six months, said she would consider more federal cash for Victoria’s divisive Suburban Rail Loop project, but only if it was found to stack up.

The Albanese government came under fire before the state election for pouring $2.2bn into Daniel Andrews’ signature project, despite stage two having not been assessed by independent advisory body Infrastructure Australia.

On top of that, Victoria’s auditor-general found the state government may have overstated the project’s benefits.

Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King said she’d deliver more cash into the divisive project, but only if it was found to stack up. Picture: Gary Ramage

“We’re keen to invest in public transport … (that) provides opportunity for new housing to be built around train stations, for new retail and business opportunities as well, and that’s why we’ve committed to suburban rail,” Ms King said.

“The current $2bn commitment we have is for the early work only, which has already commenced.

“Any further funding ­requests or commitment, ­obviously, will be subject to ­negotiations between the Victorian and the commonwealth governments and we will certainly engage Infrastructure Australia in that process.”

Ms King defended the election commitment as a “once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment” against criticism the project was not endorsed by Infrastructure Australia.

To obtain the funding, the state government must prepare a “project proposal report” for commonwealth approval.

King said the Suburban Rail Loop was a ‘once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment’.

Infrastructure Australia has previously told the Suburban Rail Loop Authority what extra information it needs to conduct a detailed assessment of the project but is yet to ­receive any new submissions. .

Meanwhile, a review of the Inland Rail project – a 1700km freight network between Melbourne and Brisbane – continues to hold up a desperately needed decision about where a new interstate freight terminal will be located in Victoria.

The state government wants a facility at Truganina in Melbourne’s west to be the priority. The Morrison government committed $1.6bn to a facility at Beveridge in the north because it could be ­delivered in time for Inland Rail, but supported developing both sites.

Ms King said she would wait for the ­report to make a final decision, but said “early indications are both are going to be needed”.

The Herald Sun last week revealed properties to house 7000 Commonwealth Games athletes would be built at Ballarat, Waurn Ponds, Bendigo and Morwell.

Ms King said she would like more progress on Melbourne airport rail and rejected Infrastructure Australia’s view it was “not yet necessary”.