By Tara Murray
Twelve months after funding was scrapped from the state budget for upgrades on the Calder Freeway, it’s back on the cards.
The state government announced on Tuesday that money would be included in the 2025-26 budget for a new interchange between the Calder Freeway and Calder Park Drive.
The funding is part of $1.2 billion announced for 19 projects in partnership with the federal government to upgrade roads across growing suburbs in Victoria.
The federal government had promised $300 million in its budget earlier this year.
The Calder funding comes after the state government announced last week that in partnership with the federal government, it is building a new transport superhub in Sunshine as the key to delivering Airport Rail and the first step for electrification to Melton.
To fast track the project, the budget allocates $4 billion towards the Sunshine station redevelopment – bringing forward $2 billion of the government’s investment in Airport Rail – to kickstart works as soon as possible.
In the budget papers, it said that work was expected to begin on the superhub in 2026 and be completed by 2030.
The project will also deliver a new modern Albion station, funded by the state government.
Other budget announcements on Tuesday, include $162 million to improve the bus network for growing communities including access to Caroline Springs town centre and Watergardens station.
New bus connections will be introduced linking Cairnlea, Thornhill Park, Riverwalk, King’s Leigh and Mt Atkinson estates with nearby train stations.
New connected paths will be delivered across Hillside, Plumpton, Sydenham and Taylors Lakes – giving residents more options to safely walk and ride.
Mackellar Primary School is one of several schools which will benefit from $25 million from capital works fund for small-scale capital projects.
St Albans Primary School will receive some of $10 million allocated for planning future school upgrades.
MORE TO COME
