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The Victorian Government is moving to acquire land for a new station at Keilor East as part of the Melbourne Airport rail link project.
The station will serve both Keilor East and the Airport West precinct, and is one of the two new stations planned for the line, the other being at Melbourne Airport itself. It has a potential catchment of more than 150,000 Moonee Valley residents.
Purchases of three properties earmarked for the station site were put on hold when the project was paused, but with the owners now asking for the properties to be bought prior to the formal acquisition process, the state government’s Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) – which is now overseeing the rail link – is working with the Department of Transport and Planning to facilitate this.
Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, who is also the local MP for Niddrie, said the station, when complete, will be a “game changer” for residents.
“The future Keilor East station will fix a 100-year access gap providing residents in Melbourne’s north-west, living only 15 kilometres from the Melbourne GPO but with no trains, commuter rail for the first time,” he said.
“Last week the Federal Government released the independent mediator’s report finding Melbourne Airport’s demand for an underground station does not stack up. It would cost taxpayers billions more, involve greater disruption and take years longer to build.
“While Melbourne Airport continues to frustrate the process every step of the way, prioritising the third runway over the north-west, we’ll continue to work with the Commonwealth Government to get the best outcome for the north-west and Victoria.”
In a press release, Moonee Valley mayor Pierce Tyson called on Melbourne Airport to abandon its plans for an underground station that “nobody wants”.
“On behalf of all Moonee Valley residents, I’d like to thank the Victorian Government for getting on with the land acquisition needed to build a new station at Keilor East as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail project,” Mayor Tyson said.
“With this purchase, LXRP will be ready to go as soon as Melbourne Airport stops standing in the way of the works, and protecting its $160-million a year parking revenue.”
The TWU has also accused Melbourne Airport of “standing in the way” of the project in order to maintain its parking revenues, with Victoria and Tasmania Secretary Mem Suleyman urging the airport to “read the room because the time for playing games is over”.
“The time has come to put their revenue aside and align with the recommendations made by the independent mediator to build the Melbourne Airport Station above-ground,” he said.
“An above-ground station will facilitate efficient and convenient access for passengers, more than 18,000 workers at the airport and the thousands in the neighbouring business precincts.
“By executing the above-ground station as recommended, we can maximise the benefits of the Airport Rail Link while minimising disruption.”
Melbourne Airport declined to comment.
