Albanese Labor Government building Victoria's future

The Albanese Labor Government is building Victoria’s future, today announcing an investment of more than $3.3 billion in Victoria for new road and rail projects to boost economic growth, improve connectivity and tackle congestion on suburban roads.

We will partner with the Victorian Government to fund and build a rail link to Melbourne Airport, providing new transport options for people in Melbourne’s west.

We will invest an additional $2 billion towards transforming Sunshine Station, as part of our commitment to build the Melbourne Airport Rail - the next important step in Suburban Rail Loop.

This is on top of our existing $5 billion to build the rail line to Tullamarine, taking the overall Commonwealth commitment to $7 billion.

The Victorian Government will also bring forward their Melbourne Airport Rail funding to enable the works at Sunshine Station.

The joint investment will transform Sunshine Station, including extra platforms and a dedicated spur line that will make Sunshine Station the hub for regional rail services connecting to Melbourne Airport.

This funding will also go towards track, bridge and signalling improvements to enable future upgrades to service Melbourne’s north and west, including enabling the commencement of work on the electrification of the Melton Line.

This is a vital part of delivering better services for people in the west going to work, not just the airport.

If you are travelling from regional Victoria, you won’t have to catch a train all the way into Southern Cross and then back out to Tullamarine.

You’ll be able to switch to a direct airport link as soon as your train gets to Sunshine.

And if you’re travelling from the South East you’ll be able make a straight-through trip via the new Metro Tunnel.

The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments are working together to deliver the projects Victoria needs to connect a growing population - including Melbourne Airport, North East Link and the Suburban Rail Loop.

In addition, the Albanese and Allan Governments will invest $1.2 billion in a Suburban Road Blitz; a new package of works to increase capacity and improve efficiency in growth areas surrounding Melbourne.

The first tranche of projects to be delivered, with works to commence later this year, include:

  • Old Sydney Road Upgrade, Wallan ($45 million)
  • Evans Road Upgrade between Duff Street and Central Parkway in Cranbourne West ($30 million)
  • McLeod Rd and Station Street Intersection Upgrade, Carrum ($3 million).

This money is ready, right now, to fix roads in need of repair.

These will be transformative projects for the south east and the north.

Additional projects will be decided in consultation with the Victorian Government.

The Albanese Government will deliver $1 billion towards the Suburban Road Blitz with the Victorian Government delivering $200 million.

In addition, we will continue to deliver the investment Victoria needs including:

  • Delivering $325 million towards the Melton line upgrade, to increase the rail capacity by 50 per cent;
  • $20.5 million towards planning for Melbourne Western Suburbs Rail upgrades;
  • $7.05 million towards planning for Melbourne Northern Suburbs rail upgrades;
  • Partner with the Victorian Government to deliver $44.7 million of upgrades to the Princes Highway Corridor, with the funding split 50:50 and works to commence later this year.
  • $10 million towards a business case to investigate upgrading key roads and structures across the High Productivity Freight Vehicle network, with the Victorian Government to deliver the other $10 million.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“My Government is Building Australia’s future – and that means Building Victoria’s future too. We want to make sure all Victorians have the services and the infrastructure they need now and into the future.

“We will partner with the Victorian Government to deliver rail upgrades, while also working to upgrade key roads to provide immediate congestion relief now.

“This is good for local jobs, good local businesses and good for commuters.”

Quote attributable to Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan:

“We’re delighted to have a partner in Canberra who is investing in the infrastructure that Victorians need and delivering much needed projects for a growing population in the west, north and east.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“Delivering vital upgrades to Sunshine Station and road congestion hotspots will support Melbourne’s growing population by allowing them to move faster and more safely around the city and its suburbs. 

“These projects will enhance the resilience and reliability of the transport network, better connecting people to where they live, work and play.” 

Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams:

“Reconfiguring Sunshine Station will not only create more capacity for more services, but also marks the first stage of works for Melbourne Airport Rail and paves the way for future upgrades to electrify the Melton Line.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Fraser Daniel Mulino:

“Melbourne’s west is growing at a rapid rate and upgrading the Sunshine Station will help to accommodate this growth.

“The Australian Government is delivering the world-class infrastructure people in Melbourne’s west need and deserve.”