While Victorian Transport Minister Peter Batchelor claims the Wodonga rail relocation is a Wodonga council problem, documents that he signed in August, 2001, clearly suggest otherwise.
The Wodonga Rail Bypass Project memorandum of understanding, to which Mr Batchelor was a signatory along with federal Transport and Regional Services Minister John Anderson, states the following:
“Victoria agrees to contribute up to $30 million towards and to manage the environmental approval processes, the design and construction of the following works at Wodonga in consultation with the ARTC (Australian Rail Track Corporation):
- Construction of a single-track rail bypass of Wodonga town centre running from west of Melrose Drive to join the existing line immediately south of the rail bridge over the Murray River;
- Construction of a passing loop of at least 1550m;
- Construction of rail sidings to the west of Old Barnawartha Rd (West Wodonga freight terminal) to provide facilities for relocation of current rail customers at the Coal Sidings in Wodonga and at Bandiana;
- Cessation of rail operations on the rail reserve east of Kelly St, Wodonga, to facilitate sale of land west of Kelly St to Uncle Bens of Australia, and;
- Provision of an alternative to the existing Wodonga railway station.”
In a tirade at the sod turning ceremony for the $524 million freeway project on Friday, Mr Batchelor, after questioning from member for Benambra Tony Plowman, blamed the council, private rail operators, the Federal Government and the former Kennett government as responsible for delaying the rail bypass, scheduled to start in June, 2002.
In the past the Victorian Government has proudly claimed the rail bypass project as its own.
In a media statement in July, 2002, then acting planning minister Bob Cameron announced planning approval for relocation of the railway and went on to describe the bypass as a “key project of the Bracks Government and the City of Wodonga, due to its capacity to generate considerable new opportunities for investment and improvement to the central business area”.
Mr Cameron went on to say that “many new jobs will be created during the construction phase of the rail project and later from the CBD development”.
“Transport benefits will also be provided with the elimination of level crossings and improved freight facilities,” he said.
The federal and state governments have between them committed more than $50 million to the rail bypass.
Border Mail
