Most station projects pledged by Morrison government scrapped

More than half the commuter carparks promised by the Morrison government at the 2019 election have been scrapped or are in limbo.

More than half the commuter carparks promised by the Morrison government at the last election have now been dumped. Picture: AAP

More than half the commuter carparks promised by the Morrison government at the last election have now been dumped or have no timelines in place for construction.

In the latest blow to the controversial scheme, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg last week ripped up a $65m commitment for new parking at four railway stations in his electorate of Kooyong.

It means that of the 30 projects promised before the 2019 poll, nine have been scrapped while work at another eight stations is in limbo.

Only five stations have had new carparks built over the past three years, and project timelines show construction is expected to begin at only three others before the May election.

The Herald Sun last year ­revealed planning issues and ­delays were hobbling the scheme, which Liberal insiders admitted was drawn up to protect the party’s at-risk seats.

Only five stations have had new carparks built over the past three years. Picture: AAP

The program was savaged by the Auditor-General in a ­report that found the government made the commitments without knowing if the projects could be built or their cost.

Labor leader Anthony ­Albanese said last week the carpark scandal was “red hot” and flagged it could be investigated by his planned federal anti-corruption commission.

New project timelines released by the Infrastructure Department show construction is not expected to start at Pakenham station until 2024.

Nine projects are listed to begin in this year, though only Heathmont, Ringwood and ­Eltham are slated to be under way early in the year.

It remains unclear when work will start at Boronia, Narre Warren, Bentleigh, ­Elsternwick, Hampton, Sandringham, North Brighton and Kananook stations.

Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said the federal government was delivering 182 projects nationwide under the urban congestion fund, and that 80 per cent would be completed or under construction by the end of this year.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg last week ripped up a $65m commitment for new parking at four railway stations in his electorate of Kooyong. Picture: AAP

But opposition infrastructure spokeswoman Catherine King said voters could “not trust a single promise” Scott Morrison made.

“Did the Prime Minister think locals wouldn’t notice that the new carparks they were promised were nowhere to be seen?” she said.

In September, Mr Fletcher announced the scheme would expand to include four stations on Melbourne’s northern rail lines in a $140m deal with the state government.

The Kananook carpark had been scrapped but is back on after talks with Frankston Council.