State, federal elections to shape who decides the Melbourne Airport rail link route

MALCOLM Turnbull’s $5 billion investment in a Melbourne Airport rail link has been welcomed by the state government, setting the scene for an arm wrestle over the preferred route to Tullamarine.

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s $5 billion investment in a Melbourne airport rail link has been welcomed by Victoria, setting the scene for an arm wrestle over the preferred route.

A business case examining four route options will be completed by September.

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State and federal elections, which will decide who chooses the ultimate route, follow.

Victoria and the Commonwealth also differ on how quickly the link can be built.

The PM said on Thursday that a 2020 start date was “ambitious” but possible.

But Victorian Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said 2020 might be “a bit too ambitious”.

Malcolm Turnbull and his colleagues announce the $5 billion investment at Melbourne Airport. Picture: David Crosling/AAP

It was suggested planning and approvals processes could delay construction till 2022 or 2023.

Mr Turnbull said he did not have a preferred route between the city centre and the airport, and landowners, local authorities and the private sector should all “look at it very carefully”.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who welcomed funding for the “long overdue” link, could be PM when the route is locked in.

This would confront him with a tough decision on whether he could support two options that require major tunnelling beneath his electorate of Maribyrnong.

“I want to take traffic out of the backyards of people living in the northwestern suburbs of Melbourne, where I live,” Mr Shorten said.

“I want to make sure, though, we’re not just taking people’s backyards as well.”

The Victorian government’s preferred route would use the Metro Tunnel now being built beneath the CBD and run via Sunshine, allowing the option of connecting regional rail services directly to the airport.

Victorian Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan. Picture: David Crosling/AAP

Victorian Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said she was concerned that only one of the four routes on the table had a “connection that will service the whole of the state”.

It is understood Premier Daniel Andrews’s office made contact with the PM to agree to a partnership on the project, after Mr Turnbull called for a 50-50 funding split.

State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the project could be cheaper than the $15 billion estimates if the existing Craigieburn line through Essendon were used.

Mr Guy said that the Tullamarine Freeway was “a mess”, and it was “about time we just did it”.

Rail Futures Institute president John Hearsch said the rail link needed to offer airport passengers a quick journey on a purpose-built line rather than “a suburban option that’s going to be crowded with commuters”.

The Greens’ federal transport spokeswoman, Senator Janet Rice, also praised the $5 billion investment for the airport rail link.

The Craigieburn and direct tunnel routes.

The Flemington and Albion East routes.

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AN express train to Melbourne airport will elevate the city to among the most envied destinations in the world and attract more internal investment, business leaders say.

The federal government’s $5 billion pledge to partner with the state to finally establish a express train network from Tullamarine to the city centre has earned praise of CEOs and industry across the nation.

Former NSW premier Mike Baird, now a senior executive at NAB, said the project would be a “game changer” for Melbourne.

“It is a project that will create interest and opportunities for the infrastructure sector, not just in Australia but across the world,” Mr Baird said.

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Qantas chief Alan Joyce has lauded the announcement. Picture: Stewart Allen/Sunday Times

Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said the announcement was a positive for tourism, for business and for the millions of people who pass through the airport every year.

“Melbourne is one of the busiest parts of our network and any investment that makes travelling to and from the airport easier is very welcome,” Mr Joyce said.

Committee for Melbourne chief executive Martine Letts said the $5 billion pledge brought the link closer than ever. She said the “World’s Most Liveable City” should have a high-quality direct transport link to and from the airport.

“The demands of population growth and an expanding economy are placing Melbourne under relentless pressure,” Ms Letts said. “It is critical that the authorities involved clearly determine what problem we are trying to solve, and devise the right solution for Melbourne, and Victoria.”

— by Rob Harris and Jeff Whalley

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