Brimbank council welcomes numerous initiatives of the 2023-24 federal budget, but says the budget falls short of providing long term security and funding for major infrastructure projects in Melbourne’s west.
The federal budget was handed down earlier this month, with several initiatives to help alleviate the cost of living, which was welcomed by the council.
The council though is concerned about the status of funding for the Melbourne Airport rail project.
Despite the federal budget’s retention of the $5 billion previously committed for the construction of the Melbourne Airport Rail and assurances from Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development Minister Catherine King, the project has been included in the government’s 90-day review of the infrastructure pipeline which could cast doubts over delivery of this critical infrastructure development for Melbourne’s west.
The council in a statement, maintains that the Melbourne Airport Rail, which will be the first leg of the Suburban Rail Loop to be constructed, aligns with the Australian Government’s policy that infrastructure projects should be genuinely nation-building, economically sustainable and resilient to our changing climate and calls for construction according to initial timelines.
The council’s statement also highlights the upgrades to the Calder Freeway that remain unfunded two years after the business case was announced, and calling for an independent assessment of the health impacts of a third runway at Melbourne Airport have been ignored.
Brimbank mayor Bruce Lancashire said the federal government missed an opportunity.
“The federal budget was an opportunity to invest in transformative infrastructure projects that could have significantly addressed inequity in Melbourne’s west,” he said.
“It was especially disappointing to see the more expensive Suburban Rail loop east, which will service wealthier and more developed areas of Melbourne, take priority over the Melbourne Airport rail, which will bring transformative investment to where it’s most needed.
“Sadly, Brimbank misses out in the federal budget, so all eyes are on the coming state budget announcement. Brimbank council calls on the Victorian government to keep its promise of $5 billion towards the construction of the MAR as well as Sunshine and Albion stations, when it announces the state budget later this month.”
