Victorian government urged to 'get on with' airport rail link after project survives funding cull - 9News

The Victorian government is being urged to "get on with" building Melbourne's long-planned airport rail, after the troubled project survived a major federal cull of infrastructure projects.

The state government promised an airport rail link if it won the 2018 election, but five years later a set plan remains in limbo.

The federal government has allocated $5 billion towards the project in a move that will fund half of the required costs.

Questions remain over how the Victorian government will fund the $10 billion project. (9News)

But questions remain over how the Victorian government will find funding for the remainder of the $10 billion project and settle a dispute with Melbourne Airport over its location.

"I do believe there's a resounding demand for it and I think the public expect the government to get on with it and provide it," urban planner Roz Hansen told Nine radio station 3AW.

"In my view, it has to be done and it should've been done at least a decade ago."

It comes amid a federal government review of infrastructure projects, with one-in-10 projects promised across the country facing the axe to make space for other road, rail and bridge works.

The review cancelled a dozen other Victorian infrastructure projects, including Geelong's fast rail, an upgrade to Mornington Peninsula's Freeway, and other major regional proposals.

Jacinta Allan called talks around the airport rail link 'frustrating' (Joe Armao/The Age)

Premier Jacinta Allan said discussions around the airport rail link had been "frustrating".

She claimed Melbourne Airport had been using stalling tactics, as the parties failed to agree on a set location.

"Those negotiations have been frustrating, for three years we have been negotiating," she said.

"We will need to see how we can recommence these negotiations."

The project has been in the pipeline for the past five years. (9News)

In a statement, a spokesperson from Melbourne Airport said it remained ready to work with the state government to deliver the project.

"Melbourne Airport Rail link is an important project, and important to get right," the spokesperson said.

"Our preference has always been, and remains, for an underground station.

"The airport station must be fit for purpose and future-proof, to ensure that passengers are well served and so that neither the airport precinct or rail line are constrained as Melbourne continues to grow."

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2023-11-16 04:39:07Z
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