Geelong-Melbourne fast rail project gets $2bn investment boost

A $2 billion investment from the Australian Government is set to make a fast rail from Melbourne to Geelong into reality. The proposed high-speed train is anticipated to make travelling between Melbourne and Geelong last for only 32 minutes.

With an average of 160km/h speed, this fast rail will become the first of its kind in Australia.

Over the next two decades, the Liberal Nationals Government - under the Plan for Australia’s Future Population - is planning to deliver more projects that will aid in taking pressure off big cities due to increasing population numbers and provide more support for growing regional communities - such as the Melbourne-Geelong fast rail.

“As our population grows, fast rail networks are crucial to easing the congestion pressures in our cities and shaping Australia’s future.

“As well as reducing our migration cap and introducing new visas and incentives to encourage more migrants out to the regional areas that need their skills, our record investment in congestion busting infrastructure is key to tackling Australia’s population challenges,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Proposed route for the Melbourne to Geelong fast rail (source: Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities)

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack, the delivery of fast rail services will help increase accessibility to regional Australia.

“Faster rail services not only help to ease road congestion, it also means more people can access regional centres such as Geelong and wider region with reliable transport connections, which helps to generate more growth opportunities, beyond the city limits,” Mr McCormack said.

The 20-year plan will also include a $40 million investment that will get detailed assessments for five additional fast rail corridors going. The detailed assessments are going to help identify the next projects to be prioritised for delivery. In addition, the five additional corridors are expected to complement the three rail projects funded by the Federal Government that are already underway as well various other projects funded by State Governments.

The $40 million investment will include the delivery of business cases for the following fast rail routes:

• Brisbane to the Gold Coast

• Melbourne to Albury-Wodonga

• Melbourne to Traralgon

• Sydney to Wollongong

• Sydney to Parkes

A National Fast Rail Agency is going to be established and this organisation will help guide the work; determine priorities with the help of assessments; work with local governments, communities and the private sector; as well as supply innovative finance solutions.

“Fast rail from the big capitals to the regional cities eases the migration rate and encouraging more new migrants and students to settle in smaller cities and regions that need them,” Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said.

What are your thoughts on the proposed Melbourne to Geelong fast rail? Let us know in the comments section below.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Felix Project News today to receive the latest industry news and project updates.

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population; Herald Sun; Geelong Advertiser; Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities