Gerald Lynch
Pressure continues to mount on the government and the airport to get a move on, with Brimbank council urging a prompt end to delays to the Suburban Rail Loop project.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Ranka Rasic said council is waiting for a resolution.
“We expect the state government and Melbourne Airport to promptly reach an agreement so that the construction of the SRL Airport can be delivered as promised,” she said.
“This significant national project has now been on hold for nine months and it’s time for construction to resume immediately. The delay of this project has also affected the upgrade to both Sunshine and Albion Stations in the Sunshine CBD and has hindered developer investment and confidence in the area.
“We ask the State Government to prioritise the immediate construction of the SRL Airport project as they have for the SRL East project’.”
This sentiment of urgency has been echoed by nearby council, Moonee Valley.
Moonee Valley council Mayor, Cr Pierce Tyson has called on the airport to end its impasse and drop impractical and obstructionist demands for an underground station.
His call comes after Melbourne Airport’s recent issuing of a newsletter to residents in surrounding and nearby suburbs, in which it reiterated its demands for an underground station.
“This is a classic misdirection tactic,” he said.
“Council secured a commitment to the train station after years of advocacy. We now have all tiers of government in support of the train station at Airport West/Keilor East, which will significantly benefit our residents.
“It’s not fair that progress is being held up over demands for an underground station at the airport.”
A newsletter distributed by Melbourne Airport outlined their intentions to hold firm on their wishes of the station being built underground.
“Melbourne Airport continues to advocate for an underground station to ensure future-proofing
of the rail line and terminal precinct. If the rail line is ever to be extended beyond the airport,
it must be built below ground, as building over the top of the runways is impossible,” the newsletter said.
“Melbourne Airport welcomes confirmation of the federal government’s commitment to build the long-awaited airport rail link. Melbourne Airport supports the rail link because it will provide passengers with more choice and improved access from across Melbourne and particularly the growing western suburbs.”
