The alliance of Melbourne’s five western region Councils of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham – known as LeadWest – has welcomed a $1.1 billion commitment from the Federal Government to fix the ageing Western Highway.
The Western Highway is a critical national road link and is the second largest freight carrier of any national highway, carrying more than 5,400 trucks and around 86,000 vehicles on the stretch of highway between Melton and Caroline Springs daily.
Melton Councillor, Phillip Zada, Chair of LeadWest said the announcement by Minister for Infrastructure Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, of $1.1 billion to fix the Western Freeway was a “more than welcome” win.
“With Melbourne’s western suburbs on track to match Adelaide’s population, these infrastructure investments are not just welcome – they are essential. This level of commitment helps our transport network to keep pace with our booming communities,” said Cr Zada.
“LeadWest is delighted that the announcement is hot on the heels of last week’s commitment by the Albanese Government for an additional $2 billion funding towards transforming Sunshine Station as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail project.
“The Prime Minister also announced that the Victorian Government will bring forward its Melbourne Airport Rail funding to enable the works at Sunshine Station to begin earlier and transform it into a hub for regional rail services connecting to Melbourne Airport. A further $325 million in federal funding was committed to boost rail services in the Melton growth corridor paving the way for future electrification of the Melton line.”
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie, later announced the Federal Opposition would also support the commitment to upgrade the Western Freeway, if elected.
Over recent months transport and infrastructure projects have been central to LeadWest’s advocacy efforts. These included critical upgrade to the Western Highway, construction of the Melbourne Airport Rail, development of the Sunshine Precinct, and the electrification of the Melton and Wyndham lines.
“The recent wave of project funding – Plumpton Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Footscray’s Creative West arts and cultural hub, Melbourne Airport Rail, the Melton Line upgrade, and now the Western Highway upgrade is an exciting vision for Melbourne’s west. We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition,” said Cr Zada.
