The Victorian Premier has asked “gimme, gimme” in the Melbourne Metro project. Image: Beau Giles
As if things weren’t heating up enough in Canberra politics, with the latest polling showing a neck-and-neck race for the Lodge in 2016, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is now feeling the grind from state governments to chip in on big multi-billion dollar public works projects like the Melbourne Metro.
The Victorian government has released an updated business case about Melbourne Metro, with Premier Daniel Andrews writing to Mr Turnbull seeking federal funding for the nation’s biggest public transport project.
The Andrews government has also submitted the business case to Infrastructure Australia, which has already delivered a favourable assessment of the project and pigeonholed as a ‘high priority’ scheme.
According to the state government, the updated business case finds that the Melbourne Metro project valued at $10.9 billion delivers a benefit of $1.10 for every dollar invested, will allow the train network to carry 39,000 extra passengers in peak hours and will create 4,700 jobs during peak construction.
And the stakes couldn’t be higher because of the potential benefits to Victoria’s prosperity and liveability, leaving the state at risk of stagnation if the city’s crucial public transport networks aren’t receiving investment for more modern upgrades.
According to the state government, it has already committed $4.5 billion to Melbourne Metro, and has sought a matching $4.5 billion commitment from the Turnbull government.
And numbers mean everything in the Melbourne Metro business case, where under the Turnbull government, Victoria currently receives just nine per cent of Commonwealth infrastructure funding, despite having 25 per cent of the country’s population.
Mr Andrews said the business case for Melbourne Metro stacks up and “we’re getting on with building the transport projects that Victoria needs”.
“Victorian tax dollars should be paying for Victorian projects. There are no more excuses – it’s time for the Prime Minister to show his commitment to public transport, and to Victoria,” Mr Andrews said.
He said Melbourne Metro will create thousands of jobs and create an international-style metro system to rival London, Hong Kong and New York.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said Melbourne Metro is desperately needed – without it, our transport system, our city, and our state will grind to a halt.
“The updated business case has been delivered as promised, now the only thing Victorians are waiting for is Malcolm Turnbull.”
