Statement from the CEO of the Committee for Geelong, Jennifer Cromarty
The Committee for Geelong welcomes and congratulates the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Victorian Premier Dan Andrews on their announcement regarding Geelong Fast Rail and the Melbourne Airport Rail projects.
The Committee for Geelong has encouraged progression on rail projects as they provide vital economic stimulus, confidence for private investment, and inputs to long-term planning frameworks for the region. Our previously stated position asked for a faster rail solution for the Geelong-Melbourne line that delivers greater reliability, more frequency, higher capacity and a faster, direct service, and this announcement delivers.
Significant stakeholders including Deakin University have indicated strong support and commend the Victorian and Federal Governments on the decision to put the Geelong rail line back on the Werribee corridor. This decision now links Victoria’s two major cities with the fast-growing western suburbs and Avalon Airport opening up strategic, economic and social opportunities for our region.
With the option to also access the Melbourne Airport Rail link via the current Sunshine route, the Committee for Geelong also sees the best of both worlds for our gateway city and rightfully positions Geelong as a city of strategic importance to Victoria and Australia.
During the pandemic, we have continued to see strong private business and residential interest in Geelong as an optimal place to work, study, invest and play. These major infrastructure projects — along with the already announced fast tracking of the South Geelong-Waurn Ponds rail duplication — will provide vital stimulus to our recovery and ensure the region is well positioned for future growth and prosperity.
The Committee for Geelong looks forward to continuing to work closely with all levels of government to advise and leverage these public investments.
We also wait with great interest the Victorian Budget set to be handed down this week where key transport priority requests include:
- Funding to develop an Integrated Regional Transport Plan;
- $15 million investment in road upgrades essential to cater for the increased volume of vehicles accessing the Spirit of Tasmania in 2022 and beyond via GeelongPort; and
- A future train station for Avalon Airport.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Cromarty on 0413 241 033.