The Victorian opposition has committed almost $750 million to extend the Frankston rail line in Melbourne’s south-east.
The state Liberals announced on Saturday they would fund the majority of the $971 million cost of the duplication and extension of the Stony Point rail line between Frankston and Baxter if they are elected on November 26. Currently, a diesel V/Line services the route.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy said new stations would be built at Frankston East and Langwarrin. Under the plan, the Frankston and Baxter train stations would be upgraded and six level crossings removed.
The state opposition committed $746 million for the project. In 2018, the federal government - led by then-prime minister Scott Morrison - committed $225 million for the project. But the Andrews Government did not back it.
Guy said at a press conference he wanted to complete long-discussed projects which will take Victoria “beyond COVID”.
“It’s time to actually invest in infrastructure in our growth areas who needed the most,” he said.
“It is no longer feasible for places like Baxter to be relying on 1990s, diesel-hauled rolling stock for their daily commute. We need to have these people getting good quality, fast public transport.”
Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy.Credit: Scott McNaughton
But an independent infrastructure body said the project could create “extra pressure” for housing developments. Infrastructure Victoria said in its 2021-2051 strategy report that rail extensions - such as the Stony Point line - through outer suburban growth areas encouraged people to move further out.
Instead, the independent advisory body suggested new bus services should be deployed through the region, using Frankston train station as a public transport interchange.
“An extension of the Frankston line could create extra pressure for new housing developments in environmentally sensitive and agriculturally important places on the Mornington Peninsula,” the report published last year noted.
Frankston City Council has said electrification of the Stony Point diesel railway line was a “long-standing priority” for the municipality. “The project will mean people living further up the line or from the Mornington Peninsula will be able to get on a train at Langwarrin or Baxter and commute directly to Monash University, Frankston Hospital and Frankston Private Hospital, Chisholm TAFE or directly into Melbourne,” the council said on its website.
A spokesman for the Andrews government said the Liberal Party could not be trusted on public transport after failing to deliver rail projects to Doncaster and Melbourne Airport.
“They’ve opposed all 20 level crossing removals along the Frankston line and promised to cut the Suburban Rail Loop, putting at risk thousands of jobs,” he said.