Coalition matches Labor with $700m Mernda rail link pledge

Mernda rail extension will go ahead after Liberal Government commits $700 million to plan






Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has announced the Liberal Government will spend $700 million on a rail extension to Mernda.





PREMIER Denis Napthine has announced the Liberal Government will provide $700 million for a rail extension to Mernda if it wins the state election.


The announcement guarantees the extension will go ahead, with the Access Denied campaign having secured commitments from the Liberal, Labor and Greens parties.
The campaign, launched in March, called on the parties to extend rail from South Morang to Mernda and build an interchange at the O’Herns Rd overpass of the Hume Freeway in the first term of government, whoever is to win the November election.

IS THIS PLAN ENOUGH FOR THE AREA OR DOES MORE NEED TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT? TELL US BELOW.
Dr Napthine said the project would include:
$700 MILLION for a double-track extension from South Morang to Mernda;
$95 MILLION to duplicate Yan Yean Rd;
$20 MILLION to provide weekday trains every 10 minutes on the South Morang line from 2015; and,
$1.3 MILLION for extra car parking at Wallan railway station.
“This is a comprehensive transport package that will deliver benefits for rail commuters on the South Morang line within 12 months and make substantial investments in new and better rail and road links to move more people, more often,” Dr Napthine said.
“The 7.5km double-track rail extension to Mernda will include two new stations and provisions for a third, plus new stabling and maintenance facilities that will create jobs in the region.
“We will also invest $95 million to duplicate 3.9km of Yan Yean Rd because we recognise that the only way to properly address transport needs is to have an integrated approach focusing on road investments that complement public transport projects.”
But Yan Yean state Labor MP Danielle Green has criticised the announcement, claiming the Liberal Party “has never cared for the north and have only just discovered it now when their political survival relies on it”.
“The community just has to look back to the last election where the Liberals promised not one, but three train lines and delivered none,” Ms Green said.
“In the (past) four years there has been zero road funding in this area.
“They have ripped $60 million of (school) bus services out of this electorate and now thousands of teenagers have to travel tens of thousands of kilometres each year just to get to secondary school at a great cost to their parents.”
While Dr Napthine’s announcement, totalling $816.3 million, will send Mernda rail extension campaigners into raptures, none of the state’s major political parties have committed to the vital O’Herns Rd/Hume Freeway project.
A booming population in the City of Whittlesea’s growth corridor, including Doreen and Mernda, has caused traffic bedlam for residents who moved to the suburbs to enjoy a village lifestyle.
But commuting to and from work and school has become a nightmare, with motorists constantly forced to stomach infuriating congestion.
KEY FACTS:
WORKS on the Mernda extension will start next year and be completed by 2021;
NEW train stabling facilities at Mernda will accommodate four six-carriage trains;
MERNDA station will have free car parking for 200 vehicles and a four-bay bus interchange;
THE Mernda extension will include four grade separations with no new level crossings;
SOUTH MORANG station will be upgraded, including an extra 200 free car parks; and,
FARES from Mernda will be priced at Zone 1 rates.
MORE TO COME

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/mernda-rail-extension-will-go-ahead-after-liberal-government-commits-700-million-to-plan/story-fnglenug-1227097035259

This guy Napthine has no shame.

Oh come on Freightgate. Everyone knows which political team you "barrack" for, so there's no need for trolling.

Instead, everyone on this page should be pleased that both political parties will (re)build this line, regardless of which one wins the political grand final in just over a months time.

This is just a big PR stunt, they will instead in 2016 say "We as a coalition government are going to build the first stage of the outer ring road from the Metro ring road to the Hume Freeway at $4 billion to ease congestion on Northern Suburbs roads. Labor had the chance to build it, but instead bowed to the greens pressure." It'll be East-West link all over again.

My point precisely.

Napthine has no intention of building this project like the others which have been announced since the libs worked out they are doomed next month.

A wasted 4 years for Victoria.

I will however mention for bogong I applaud the building of Epsom by te libs.

It appears to be an insignificant project and this line was always to be extended, it was just a matter of when. Would the parties not be campaigning on bigger transport initiatives. While it is good to extend this, this line it is just similar to Waurn Ponds or Epsom. Not really a transport changing initiative that deserves alot of media. For both parties it is about votes in the marginal electorates of Yan Yean and Eltham more than transport in my opinion.

it may look like a small change but reading Railpage over the last year this project has been campaigned for over a long period. the question if of course based on track record the coalition have not been delivering rail projects not to mention they have spruiked a lot.

i tend to agree the coalition have sitting on their hands when it came to public transport and rail freight and have only when the writing was on the wall decided victorians knew what they were talking about. alas it is probably now too late.

east west link is still a nightmare to sell and is up in the air. i still believe a change will happen next month regardless of what is announced by napthine.

there is no question what has been announced today will be welcomed by the locals.

Promises promises, liberals promising rail again that's funny, will any money be left over after this east west road thingy. Surely not sorry no rail to Doncaster no rail to Rowville and no rail to Mernda under the liberals.

Now Doyle, that just partisan and nasty trolling and I suspect people usually ignore trolls, no matter which side of politics they appear to support.

By all means slag off the Libs, the Nats, even the ALP, but treat us with respect and use sensible, reasoned arguments rather than just spitting intolerance of other people's views.

EDIT. I won't respond further to Doyle's post immediately below. Both parties have delivered rail improvements in the past, and whoever wins the imminent state election will do so in the next term. To say one party is the source of all that is sweet and good while the other party is in league with baddies (whether it be big business, corrupt unions or whatever) and doesn't genuinely want to assist ordinary people, is at best naive and partisan, but more likely to be just plain trolling.

BOTH parties are sincere in their belief of assisting all Victorians to achieve a better lifestyle, including improved rail services. To say otherwise is just plain nasty. If you want to be partisan, there are quite a few threads here with troll titles, head over there because no one expects balanced and reasoned discussion if a thread has a title like "Libs screw up on..." or "ALP stuffs up...", but if a thread has a neutral title and first post (like this one), then keep the trolling out it.

No Bogong
Not a troll, what did the liberals promise at the last state election ? And What has been delivered by them in this term?
Sorry Bogong don't spin this to be about trolls and my political persuasion it's not, I ask again what have this current government delivered for passenger rail in this four year term ?

JimYarin The Extension to Mernda and new stabling facilities was already part of the 'Network Development Plan for Metropolitan Rail'. But it was low priority in order of other projects and meant to be completed within a 15-20 year time-frame. I am only saying that is being used for political purposes in the media and by both sides of politics. It has left the parties in doubt that if they don't commit to the Mernda rail extension then they are not going to be voted for because it is in a marginal electorate. I am not saying it is not a project that should not be built, but there is this question mark hanging over it.

I'm a bit cynical about the capacity of either side to deliver this after the election.  However Napthine's timing four weeks from the election was not a good look in my opinion - why not announce it earlier with their other grab-back of never-to-be-delivered projects like Airport Link and Fisherman's Bend Metro? I think they're starting to worry.

I read something last week that suggested the areas they've been polling the weakest on are jobs and public transport, this is obviously an attempt at catch-up?

No Bogong
Not a troll, what did the liberals promise at the last state election ? And What has been delivered by them in this term?
Sorry Bogong don't spin this to be about trolls and my political persuasion it's not, I ask again what have this current government delivered for passenger rail in this four year term ?

To be fair to the current Government, I don't believe that they ever committed to building Doncaster, Rowville or Airport Rail before the last election, or even restoring passenger services on the Geelong-Ballarat-Bendigo link.  Rather all the committed to doing was undertaking studies which they have done.

However, I don't think this was apparent to many voters who were sucked into believing that the studies would lead to actual construction of the projects.

Now come 2014 when the Government commits to construction of the Mernda extension and allocates a funding commitment, some people don't believe them because of what they thought was promised at the last election.

Unlike Doncaster and Rowville which would be incredibly complex to construct and would require substantially funds for tunnelling and additional capacity provision within the existing inner core, the Mernda extension is relatively straight forward to construct given that the reservation is already in place and it merely involves an extension of existing services.  Indeed additional capacity on the South Morang Line was already provided as part of the previous South Morang extension.

So to conclude, I have little doubt that the Government is sincere when it commits to constructing the Mernda extension.  Where they erred in my opinion was giving the false impression in the last election that they would actually build Doncaster and Rowville.

Ross

Now Doyle, that just partisan and nasty trolling and I suspect people usually ignore trolls, no matter which side of politics they appear to support.

By all means slag off the Libs, the Nats, even the ALP, but treat us with respect and use sensible, reasoned arguments rather than just spitting intolerance of other people's views.

EDIT. I won't respond further to Doyle's post immediately below. Both parties have delivered rail improvements in the past, and whoever wins the imminent state election will do so in the next term. To say one party is the source of all that is sweet and good while the other party is in league with baddies (whether it be big business, corrupt unions or whatever) and doesn't genuinely want to assist ordinary people, is at best naive and partisan, but more likely to be just plain trolling.

BOTH parties are sincere in their belief of assisting all Victorians to achieve a better lifestyle, including improved rail services. To say otherwise is just plain nasty. If you want to be partisan, there are quite a few threads here with troll titles, head over there because no one expects balanced and reasoned discussion if a thread has a title like "Libs screw up on..." or "ALP stuffs up...", but if a thread has a neutral title and first post (like this one), then keep the trolling out it.

Bogong, I sometimes do not understand you. Lets be nice to the major parties in one breath, and lets wipe Collingwood off the map in the next. I do not think Doyle is saying anything that a lot of Victorians aren't saying, on Public Transport they are not delivering. Making an announcement and then withdrawing or delaying because there are inherent difficulties. Compare that to the NSW Liberals who are tackling the very complex job of untangling the Sydney Network, with a comprehensive plan. When they get expertise, they get Howard Collins, who has got London Underground to one of the most reliable metro networks in the world.

The point is that BOTH major parties to not seem to have a major plan, it is just a ad-hoc hodge-podge of unconnected projects, most of which are not funded, most of which are just announcements. The Timeframe in delivering the Mernda extension is frighteningly long, 6 years, flipping heck TFL and the Dept of Transport in the UK are delivering Crossrail in 9!! To me that gives the impression that they are not at all serious, now they may be totally sincere, but perception is a big thing and the timing of these announcements at best makes them look insincere at best and at worst, taking the Victorian Public for Mugs.

Michael

There is not the money around to get it done in the next term, whoevrr forms government. East-West or Metro will take all the money.  Meanwhile it is talk rail and build roads.  Look how airport rail was announced, for years ahead, and shortly afterwards the Tulla Freeway is to be widened now.

Govt's multi-million dollar rail promise


The Napthine Government is pledging a $700 million extension to the South Morang Line, in one of the most marginal seats in Victoria. Brendan Donohoe reports.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/25314698/govts-multi-million-dollar-rail-promise/

There is not the money around to get it done in the next term, whoever forms government. East-West or Metro will take all the money. Meanwhile it is talk rail and build roads. Look how airport rail was announced, for years ahead, and shortly afterwards the Tulla Freeway is to be widened now.

Tulla Freeway is being widened first I thought? I'd be astonished if there was any action on airport rail before the end of the decade - Perth will probably get theirs built first although that might be too ambitious now with the iron ore price currently very low.

With regards to income/expenditure and our own government, I read the other day that the situation has improved markedly in the last six months because stamp duty/transfer duty has been increasing in the last six months by quite a bit seeing as Melbourne property prices are pushing into record territory again.

Whew, property boom saves us again!

The Timeframe in delivering the Mernda extension is frighteningly long, 6 years, flipping heck TFL and the Dept of Transport in the UK are delivering Crossrail in 9!! To me that gives the impression that they are not at all serious, now they may be totally sincere, but perception is a big thing and the timing of these announcements at best makes them look insincere at best and at worst, taking the Victorian Public for Mugs.

Michael

Cross-rail is an enormous project, just huge. One side of London to the other while connecting lots of existing lines and stations together - the fact that they've managed to pull it all together in such a short period of time is testimony to what can be done when governments decide that they actually want to get it done.


Not in our case, sadly...

Cross-rail is an enormous project, just huge. One side of London to the other while connecting lots of existing lines and stations together - the fact that they've managed to pull it all together in such a short period of time is testimony to what can be done when governments decide that they actually want to get it done.


Not in our case, sadly...

Hi Don

Crossrail is not just huge, it is enormously complex. 42 km of tunnelling, some of which pass existing Underground lines to within 90 cms. 10 massive cavernous new stations, dealing with archelogical finds, all that in 9 years. Currently on YouTube there is a 3 Part series called The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway.

Now I do not expect Melbourne to match the sheer scale of Crossrail, but to take six years to build 7 km of track all above ground and two small stations, are they kidding me!!!

Michael

Now I do not expect Melbourne to match the sheer scale of Crossrail, but to take six years to build 7 km of track all above ground and two small stations, are they kidding me!!!

When you consider the original rail-line in the 1880s from Reservoir to Whittlesea took only two years to build. With modern track laying machinery you would believe it would take less time.

The Liberal plan does include 3 new stations and the Labor plan includes 2  stations. There may be a difference in the time period between both projects because of this.

To be fair to the current Government, I don't believe that they ever committed to building Doncaster, Rowville or Airport Rail before the last election, or even restoring passenger services on the Geelong-Ballarat-Bendigo link. Rather all the committed to doing was undertaking studies which they have done.

However, I don't think this was apparent to many voters who were sucked into believing that the studies would lead to actual construction of the projects.

Now come 2014 when the Government commits to construction of the Mernda extension and allocates a funding commitment, some people don't believe them because of what they thought was promised at the last election.

Unlike Doncaster and Rowville which would be incredibly complex to construct and would require substantially funds for tunnelling and additional capacity provision within the existing inner core, the Mernda extension is relatively straight forward to construct given that the reservation is already in place and it merely involves an extension of existing services. Indeed additional capacity on the South Morang Line was already provided as part of the previous South Morang extension.

So to conclude, I have little doubt that the Government is sincere when it commits to constructing the Mernda extension. Where they erred in my opinion was giving the false impression in the last election that they would actually build Doncaster and Rowville.

Ross

Incredibly complex, my god anything which means build rail above or below grade is deemed incredibly complex in this state, although as regards to the Rowville line much of it will have to be placed below ground. I do agree with you, the Government did not commit to building the Rowville, Doncaster or Airport lines but merely conduct feasibility studies, which is correct in my view and I hold the position that the Doncaster and Rowville lines should not be built, not as Heavy Rail in any case.


Michael

Oh come on Freightgate. Everyone knows which political team you "barrack" for, so there's no need for trolling.

Instead, everyone on this page should be pleased that both political parties will (re)build this line, regardless of which one wins the political grand final in just over a months time.

You are always so quick to jump on people about following a particular political party and it really baffles me that you do this, there is nothing wrong with partisan politics, it is a way that minority voices actually get heard.

On this it is not surprising that people do not believe that these announcements are seen as nothing more than an attempt to win votes, the only major project that will go ahead in the next 4 year cycle will be the East-West link and it will suck up every dollar available from the Feds, the federal government at this stage refusers to fund public transport (hopefully this changes but international events dictate that it won't) so unless this changes and or East-West gets dumped we will struggle to see any movement on this extension. If memory fails me shouldn't Southland station already be built and that is peanuts in real money, Labours record isn't fantastic but they did get funding for RRL, South Morang extension, Desal (they did pay overs on it but there will be a drought soon enough and it will be harsher than the last).
I do hope I am wrong on this and it gets built in the next 4 years

This is what the Fibs said before they got elected:

Mr Baillieu said the Doncaster rail line was the missing link in Melbourne's public transport network and construction could start within a first term coalition government.

The rail alignment would be planned in consultation with stakeholders and would likely run from Clifton Hill, possibly through the centre of the Eastern Freeway, to Doncaster, with the option of extending to Ringwood.

"The first step is to plan it and find a route, in detail with the community, then find the funds and then build it," Mr Baillieu said.

"That's the order we're going to do it, and we're committed to proceeding down that path."

Mr Baillieu said the Doncaster rail line was the missing link in Melbourne's public transport network and construction could start within a first term coalition government.

And then they wonder why people feel ripped off after four years of nothing!