By PHILIP HOPKINS
THE state government is under pressure from the Opposition to explain a more than $340 million blow-out in the cost of the Gippsland rail upgrade, as the first train from the order of new, locally made regional trains has started taking passengers.
The Member for Narracan, Wayne Farnham, said the federal government’s Department of Infrastructure had confirmed that the cost of the total upgrade had now reached $878.1 million. This was in contrast to the original estimate of $530 million, which included $95 million to replace the old Avon River bridge at Stratford.
The department’s figures show that the federal government is contributing $738 million and the state government $140-$150m.
“The massive blowout is even more astounding, given the project scope has reduced with the Victorian Labor government removing the promised duplication of track over the Bunyip River,” Mr Farnham said.
Mr Farnham said the federal government had had to open the cheque book to bail out the state government’s mismanagement of this project.
“The Premier, who was formerly Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, needs to front my community and explain how this… blowout occurred and after six years of delays, cancellations and replacement buses, what improvements if any will actually be delivered when this project is finally completed,” he said.
Mr Farnham said commuters would be outraged at the cost given there were no guarantees a better service would be delivered as a result.
“This project started in 2018 and Gippsland V/Line commuters have faced cancellations, delays, disruptions and replacement buses for more than six years. Now we find not only is the project late, but it is also hundreds of millions of dollars over budget,” he said.
“Worst of all for commuters, we still have no idea what the promised improved timetabling will look like, what additional services we will receive, or if there is even any additional V/Line carriages to be allocated to improve service. ”
The Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, David Southwick, said the failure of the state government to properly upgrade the line meant Gippsland commuters would be left with a second-rate service compared to other regional centres.
“The Allan Labor government have failed at every turn for Gippsland commuters. When they built SkyRail, they did not install a dedicated line for Gippsland services,” he said.
“When they upgraded stations on the Gippsland Line, hardly any new carparks were added. And when they announced the Gippsland Line upgrade, they promised to deliver duplication of the Bunyip River bridge to improve frequency and reliability.
“They have failed Gippsland commuters and regional communities will be outraged to now hear not only are they missing out on these upgrades, but they are also paying more to do so.
“Labor cannot manage projects, they cannot manage money, and it is Victorians who are paying the price.”
A government spokesperson told the Warragul Gazette that works on the Gippsland Line – 100 kilometres of upgraded track – were forging ahead, with commissioning of the line between Pakenham and Drouin completed six days ahead of schedule.
“Passengers can now enjoy the use of the second platforms at Bunyip and Longwarry as well as the 30 new car parks at Bunyip,” the spokesperson said.
The Gippsland Rail Line upgrade includes track, signalling and 28 level crossing upgrades. It will also deliver second platforms at Bunyip, Longwarry, Morwell and Traralgon stations; duplication of the track between Bunyip and Longwarry, and sections near Moe, Morwell and Traralgon; deliver signalling upgrades at Traralgon; relocate the stabling facilities at Traralgon; and extend the crossing loop at Morwell.
Early works to upgrade the Gippsland Rail Line began in March 2018.
The dispute came as the first new train – VLocity train number 119 – had is the first of 23 new trains ordered as part of a $601 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2023/24. The government says it has invested $219 million in almost 200 additional weekend V/Line train services that will progressively run in the coming years.
The Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, said this order of VLocitys was replacing the longest serving Classic Fleet trains – boosting Victoria’s VLocity fleet to 141 trains once the rollout is complete.
“The extra trains will deliver more reliable journeys on the Geelong and Bacchus Marsh corridors, and will also help lift capacity on the Melton line by 50 per cent, with nine car services to be introduced following the completion of the Melton Line Upgrade,” she said.
Ms Williams said the new trains feature improved accessibility, with six spaces in each three-car set for wheelchair or mobility scooter users and space for up to six bicycles. A new train will roll off Alstom’s Dandenong production line about once a month, with the project supporting around 500 jobs.
The reliability of the new trains will be boosted upon the completion of the South Dynon Train Maintenance Facility Upgrade, which is increasing maintenance capacity and ensuring that as much of the VLocity fleet is available to deliver services.
Ms Williams said the state government had invested more than $9 billion in rolling stock and supported infrastructure since 2014, supporting around 10,000 local jobs directly and through the supply chain.
“More Victorians than ever are choosing regional rail travel thanks to our fare cap, and we’re responding to this increased popularity with new trains and extra services,” she said.
