The Melbourne Airport Rail Link (MARL) project has taken a big step forward today with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between the Australian and Victorian Governments, and Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd.
The MoU means all three parties have committed to work together to commence delivery of MARL and will establish a Steering Committee led by senior officials from each organisation to progress this project.
The MoU is the next step in delivering MARL and builds on the recent decision to kick start works on rebuilding Sunshine Station, said Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.
“Many Victorians have spent a lifetime hearing of a rail link to the airport, and today we are telling them that we will work together in good faith to get it done,” said Minister King.
“We want to keep this project moving which is why we brought in an independent mediator, why we’ve been acting on his recommendations and why we’re investing to make it happen.
“MARL will enhance the resilience and reliability of the transport network, better connecting Melbourne’s growing population to where they live, work and play.”
Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister, Gabrielle Williams said rebuilding Sunshine Station was essential to enable services to the airport and Keilor East, with the project set to untangle six kilometres of track between West Footscray and Albion to cater for freight, metro trains and 70 per cent of the V/Line network – while also paving the way for future upgrades in the west.
“Melbourne Airport Rail Link is an important rail project, which will pave the way for faster and safer journeys for passengers across the state for decades to come,” said Ms Williams.
“We are getting on with delivering the first stage of Melbourne Airport Rail, reconfiguring freight, regional and Surburban tracks between West Footscray and Albion to make space for this important new rail link.”
Moonee Valley City Council is calling for a swift start to Airport Rail construction now that the long-awaited project has been given the go-ahead.
“Moonee Valley residents and Councillors past and present have campaigned tirelessly for this investment in our local public transport network,” said Mayor, Ava Adams.
“Today’s development comes thanks to their continued advocacy.
“Since Airport Rail was first announced in 2018, our community has grown and so too has demand for sustainable public transport options.
“Once complete, Airport Rail will transform how our community gets around, especially residents in Airport West and Keilor East, who will have a train station closer to home than ever before.
“We thank the Airport, Victorian Government and Commonwealth for finding a way forward.
“Now, with nothing standing in their way, we look forward to seeing construction get underway promptly,” she said.
