Mood of the Nation survey report shows Victorians sour on SRL project, Allan Government

The majority of Victorians don’t support the Suburban Rail Loop, ranking it last behind airport rail, more housing and even “none of the above” in a new poll on priority infrastructure projects.

The Allan government’s signature Suburban Rail Loop project remains deeply unpopular, ranking last in a new poll of most urgent Victorian projects.

Just 16 per cent of voters backed the multi-billion dollar SRL, compared to 37 per cent who said the Melbourne Airport Rail should be a priority.

A further 31 per cent said building more high density housing was the most pressing project while 17 per cent chose neither of the three options.

Just 22 per cent of Labor voters surveyed said the SRL was most important for Victoria’s future.

The poll, by SEC Newgate Australia, surveyed 602 Victorians as part of its annual Mood of the Nation report.

It found overall sentiment was down compared to all other states, with the majority of Victorians believing the state was now headed in the wrong direction.

Just 16% of voters backed the Suburban rail loop project. Picture: Supplied

The cost of living remained the top concern for 71 per cent of voters, followed by housing affordability, at 30 per cent, and crime, 25 per cent.

The Allan government was also voted the lowest performing in the country, with just 28 per cent returning a positive rating.

That compared to 53 per cent in Western Australia, 48 per cent in South Australia, 38 per cent in New South Wales, and 36 per cent in Queensland.

At the same time 26 per cent of Victorians rated the state government’s performance as “very poor”, with Queensland the next ranked state at 15 per cent.

The damning SRL result comes despite an acknowledgment by 72 per cent of those surveyed who said Victoria was lacking critical infrastructure to support population growth that 64 per cent believed was increasing too rapidly.

Allan government was also voted the lowest performing in the country. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Head of SEC Newgate Melbourne’s Office, Cecilia Hemana, said a failure to properly sell the SRL jeopardised funding for the project.

“It’s clear from our research that the Victorian Government urgently needs to lift its game in selling the Suburban Rail Loop to the community,” she said.

“Victorians overwhelmingly want greater connectivity but currently don’t believe the SRL deserves the funding priority it’s being given and support other projects that boost connections in the north and west, notably the Melbourne to Airport Rail Link.

“Given Melbourne’s explosive population growth, the Victorian Government is backing the SRL as a vital piece of infrastructure to respond to what could become a housing crisis in Melbourne, but that message is not cutting through.

“Unless the Victorian Government is able to do a better job selling the SRL and turning around public perceptions, the issue of getting support for funding the project will become a growing political headache.”

37% of voters said the Melbourne airport Rail link project was a priority. Picture: Supplied

Jacinta Allan has repeatedly shrugged off concerns about the project’s massive price tag – which is expected to cost $34.5bn for just the first stage – and touted the SRL as necessary to deal with projected population growth.

But her staunch commitment to the project – despite a lack of funding and warnings it could adversely impact on the state’s credit rating – has put her at odds with Cabinet colleagues and backbenchers who have raised concerns about its viability.

Some northern and western MPs, including deputy premier Ben Carroll, have become increasingly concerned the project is hampering the government’s efforts to drive down debt and invest in health and education.

They have also raised concerns about a lack of transport infrastructure in the west, which emerged as a key issue in the recent Werribee by-election that saw Labor suffer an almost 16.6 per cent swing.

Premier Jacinta Allan is not concerned about the SRL’s hefty price tag. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The state government, which has so far set aside $11.5bn towards the first stage of the SRL, is banking on the Commonwealth to match that commitment.

The federal government last week released an initial $2.2bn in funding, but has failed to commit any further money.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said that money was released on the basis it was spent on “very specific things” targeted towards early works, including costs associated with ground testing, utilities and land acquisition.

The Allan government is relying on so-called value capture to stump up the third portion of funding.