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Push for Metro 2

Push for Metro 2

Following the State Government’s pledge to build the Suburban Rail Loop if re-elected in November, the business community is looking for a similar commitment to deliver Metro 2 to Fishermans Bend.

With the new proposal to terminate at Werribee, doubt has also been raised about whether or not the government might even consider Metro 2 redundant.

Transport spokesperson for The Greens, Sam Hibbins, put the matter on the agenda at the Metropolitan Transport Forum at Melbourne Town Hall on Monday, August 13.

The Metro 2 train network would connect the South Morang and Werribee lines, bringing rail to Fishermans Bend and allow for extensions to outer suburbs including Doncaster.

Committing $100 million to start planning the project, Mr Hibbins said it was the piece of infrastructure that would “define liveability in Melbourne”.

“Today we’ve announced The Greens’ policy on committing $100 million to start planning Melbourne Metro 2,” he said. “It’s a far better investment than the North East link or the West Gate Tunnel or the East West link.”

“Planning for Metro 2 needs to start now so we can get it built and the benefits can be realised as soon as possible. We can’t wait another decade for this project to get up and running.”

While not committing to any funding announcements for Metro 2, Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan told Southbank Local News that her government was “building the thing that connects it”.

“The Metro Tunnel has to be completed before Metro 2 – our current Metro Tunnel works are paving the way for Metro 2, especially around the new Parkville Station.”

It is understood that the new Parkville Station, currently under construction, will have the capacity for additional tracks to connect rail via Southern Cross Station and Fishermans Bend.

While welcoming the government’s $300 million pledge to start planning for Suburban Rail Loop, the Property Council of Australia’s Victorian executive director (acting) Matthew Kandelaars said the industry was hoping for a similar commitment for Fishermans Bend.

“The proper integration of transport and land-use planning is vital to the success of Fishermans Bend as a once-in-a-generation urban renewal project. In particular, its success will rely in large part on the timely delivery of mass transit to the precinct.”

“We would like a commitment to deliver the infrastructure Victoria needs, including significant planning for Melbourne Metro 2 and the Suburban Rail Loop, in the next term of government.”

The state government included $1 million in this year’s budget for the next stage of planning for a new connection between Fishermans Bend and the CBD, including the development of transport and economic assessments of river crossing options.

However, a spokesperson for Ms Alllan said the government didn’t currently have any announcements on Metro 2.

Fishermans Bend Business Forum executive officer David Weston said business was looking for a commitment to deliver Metro 2 as soon as the tunnelling equipment was finished on Metro 1.

“Fishermans Bend Business Forum believes that without a firm commitment to funding new public transport access to Fishermans Bend, it will not achieve the outcomes that the government is seeking,” he said.

“Melbourne Metro 2, which provides a metro tunnel connecting Southern Cross Station and the city transport network to Fishermans Bend Employment Precinct and the suburbs to the west of the Yarra is a vital early step to invigorate Fishermans Bend Employment Precinct.”

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