Getting On With Airport Rail Link

The search is on for businesses, investors and constructors with the know-how and experience to help deliver the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan at Sunshine Station today to open the Registration of Interest (ROI) – the beginning of market engagement for providers that can help deliver this visionary project for all Victorians.

If re-elected, the Andrews Labor Government has committed up to $5 billion to the project, which will run from the CBD to the airport via Sunshine.

The full Business Case is currently underway in partnership with the Commonwealth, with the project set to begin construction by 2022 under a re-elected Labor Government.

The start of market engagement is the next major step to make the project a reality. The ROI will help government assess which organisations have the experience and capability to help bring the project to fruition, as well as gauging the interest of potential private sector investors and operators.

Rail Projects Victoria will lead the global registration of interest for organisations interested in the future development of the Airport Rail Link. The search includes designers, engineers, rail systems providers, rolling stock providers, investors, financiers, developers and other rail infrastructure providers.

The Andrews Labor Government has made sure the rail link will deliver benefits to all Victorians, with the route set to connect regional Victorians and all of Melbourne via a new super hub at Sunshine.

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link will also form the north-western section of the Suburban Rail Loop, an underground rail network forming a circle around Melbourne’s suburbs. A re-elected Labor Government will invest $300 million for the business case to get this project underway, in addition to the $5 billion for construction of the Airport Rail Link.

Regional Victorians will benefit from the Suburban Rail Loop via the super-hubs at Sunshine, Broadmeadows and Clayton. These direct connections into growing employment precincts outside the central business district will provide all Victorians with better access to jobs and services.

Further information is available on railprojects.vic.gov.au/airportraillink. All registrations of interest should be lodged at arl-roi@railprojects.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“We’re already building the Metro Tunnel, removing level crossings, and expanding our roads – now if re-elected we’ll build the Melbourne Airport Rail Link and Suburban Rail Loop our state needs.”

“Only Labor can be trusted to deliver the public transport we need to take cars off the roads and get you home safer and sooner.”

Quotes attributable to Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan

“The Victorian Liberals did not build one major public transport project in four years – we’ve removed level crossings, we’re building the Metro Tunnel and getting on with the work for a Melbourne Airport Rail Link.”

“The search is on to find the best providers to develop a world-class airport rail link – that won’t only connect the CBD and the airport but deliver massive benefits to regional Victoria.”