Getting on with delivering more reliable services for bendigo

Central Victorian Labor MP’s Jacinta Allan, Maree Edwards and Mary-Anne Thomas today welcomed the Premier’s announcement that a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will overhaul our rail network to deliver fast rail to the regions and more metro services to our growing suburbs.

Work has already started to deliver fast regional rail with $50 million provided in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 – a re-elected Labor Government will invest an extra $100 million to complete all the planning needed to make fast regional rail a reality.

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government has also committed $5 billion to build an Airport Rail Link via Sunshine, giving Bendigo Line passengers with a seamless connection to the Airport by rail.

The detailed work done by transport experts released today highlights the importance of the Sunshine connection for the Bendigo line. It identifies the future infrastructure investment that will be needed on the Bendigo line, including dedicated tracks between Sunshine and Watergardens.

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will start the planning needed to upgrade track on the Bendigo line between Bendigo and Kyneton to allow trains every 40 minutes during off peak times and make trains faster and more reliable.

On the Bendigo line, work is already underway to upgrade track and signalling, as part of the $93 million Bendigo Echuca Line Upgrade.

The Regional Rail Revival team is out along the line conducting track condition assessments, inspections and site surveys. An audit is already underway regarding the re-design of curves, level crossings and siding connections to the main line for the line speed increase and procurement of 29,500 Timber Replacement Sleepers to complete the upgrade.

The Bendigo/Echuca Line Upgrade includes new signalling between Epsom, Eaglehawk and Bendigo to deliver Bendigo Metro Stage Two, giving passengers a metro-style train service.

In addition, a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will invest $49.6 million for the next stage of Bendigo Metro including new train stations at Goornong, Raywood and Huntly and planning to reopen Harcourt Station.

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
"We’re getting on with the Bendigo Line Upgrade to pave the way for faster more reliable services for Bendigo."

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
"As we’re finishing the Bendigo Line Upgrade we will deliver Bendigo Metro 3, to give more people access to more trains, more often."

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"We’ll get on with planning the track upgrade for Bendigo to Kyneton which is another step in the right direct for locals to benefit from today’s fantastic announcement."