Six councils from the west have joined forces and called on the state government to upgrade “dated rail infrastructure – straight out of the 19th century”.
The Brimbank, Melton, Moorabool, Ballarat, Ararat and Pyrenees councils are calling on the state to make a $50 million commitment toward the electrification of the Ballarat line, ahead of the 2018 state election.
The Ballarat line is only electrified to Sunshine, which limits the number of services running from Melbourne’s CBD through to Melton considerably, according to the Ballarat Rail Action Committee (BRAC).
BRAC spokesperson and Melton mayor Bob Turner said electrifying the line to Melton will triple its carrying capacity, allowing up to 1400 people to travel on a single train.
“We’re tired of old, out-of-date rail infrastructure literally built in the 19th century,” he said.
“It’s unreliable, full, slow and uncomfortable.”
“The solution is clear; electrification of the rail line up to Melton is urgent and needs to happen now.”
Last week, BRAC released two reports which it said addressed the urgent and long-term needs of commuters between Melbourne’s CBD through to Ararat.
The report also included proposed upgrades to two Brimbank stations and the removal of three level crossings in the municipality.
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice welcomed the report.
“The three top infrastructure priorities that the six councils are calling for – electrifying the rail line to Melton, the upgrade of the Ardeer and Deer Park stations, and for the removal of three dangerous and congested level crossings in Brimbank – are all key measures that will improve travel,” she said.
“There is an urgent need to fast track the rail grade separations at the congested intersections of Robinsons Road, Deer Park; Station Road, Deer Park; and Fitzgerald Road, Sunshine West.”
