Andrews rubbishes Victorian Liberals recommitment to building cross-city link

The Premier has slammed the Victorians Liberals commitment to building both the East West Link and North East Link, if elected in November.

Daniel Andrews has rubbished the state opposition’s pledge to reopen plans to build the East West Link project, if they are elected to government in November.

As revealed by the Herald Sun, the Liberal Nationals on Friday recommitted to building the cross-city toll road under Melbourne, seven years after the Premier tore up contracts for the project.

Asked if he regretted tearing up the contract, which cost taxpayers about $1.3 billion in the process, Mr Andrews said: “I don’t regret doing what I say. I get on and keep my promises and deliver.”

“I do the things that I say I do. We promised not to build that project, we had other priorities,” he added.

“That commitment, if they (Coalition) were to be successful, will mean that’s billions and billions of dollars that will not be available for hospitals, for health workers and for patients.

“That is billions and billions of dollars that will be spent on a project that Victorians have voted against, and by the way, a project that doesn’t stack up ... It should come as no surprise to you that that is not our plan for the future.”

Daniel Andrews, and the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, make an announcement at the new level crossing removal project in Preston. Picture: David Crosling

The state opposition have argued the East West Link project was more important than the Suburban Rail Loop, which is the most expensive infrastructure project ever planned in Victoria.

Mr Andrews fired back at the claim, stating: “Well except the Suburban Rail Loop stacks up though.”

“Go and have a chat to any of the authorities that have done the business case (and) the cost benefit analysis. (With) East West you lose money for every dollar you spend,” he added.

A $6.8bn contract for the EWL, which would have been the first stage in a mega link between the Eastern Freeway and the Western Ring Rd, was signed shortly before the 2014 state election by the former Napthine Government and killed off by Mr Andrews and Treasurer Tim Pallas on this day in 2015.

Mr Andrews defending his decision by labelling the road a “dud” – despite it being listed as a high priority by Infrastructure Australia.

The premier has repeatedly ruled out building the project, which has $4bn in funding from the Commonwealth on the table, and instead has focused on building a North East Link.

Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman Matt Bach said if a coalition government was elected in November, both roads would be built.

Leader of the Victorian Opposition Matthew Guy will recommit to building the EWL. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“If elected to government in November the Liberal Nationals will do what should have been done years ago: build the East West Link,” he said.

Mr Bach said Labor had wasted billions of dollars on project cost blowouts, on top of the money thrown away by not building an East West Link that had contracts inked.

“Because of this appalling decision, today, many Melbourne commutes are over half an-hour longer and Victorian taxpayers are $1.3 billion worse off,” he said.

“This is despite the fact that before the 2014 election Daniel Andrews said the “contracts are not worth the paper they’re written on” and ripping them up would not cost a cent.”

Mr Bach said a detailed infrastructure plan would be released later in the year outlining how the EWL and NE Link would be built.

A recent analysis of a cross-city tunnel from the Eastern Fwy to Parkville – the same route as the EWL that assumes a widening of the Eastern Fwy – by Infrastructure Victoria estimated the cost of the road to be $9.1-13bn.

A previously released artist impression of what the East West Link may look like. Picture: Supplied

A strategic assessment found it would have a modest impact on congestion outcomes and recommended the corridor should be reserved for future use.

Infrastructure Australia says the connection would “help to address congestion in the area”, but that it would monitor the impacts of current projects such as the North East Link and West Gate Tunnel “to determine if they adequately resolve the identified problem”.

It says that Infrastructure Victoria also recommends fixing tram routes and introducing congestion pricing – ruled out by both major parties – to tackle inner city traffic snarls.