iscover
The Victorian and Federal Governments are still “working on the timing” for stage three of Melbourne Airport’s rail link, which will include the airport station itself.
Speaking to media this week at the announcement of preliminary works on the second stage to Keilor East, Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said there have been “complexities that had to be worked through” with regard to building at the airport.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
It comes as stage two is expected to begin major construction in 2028, with trains to be running to Keilor East by 2031.
“We’ve agreed scope, which has taken quite a while to get there, so we’re at the scope stage. We’re now working through how will we deliver it,” said Minister King.
“If anyone has been to Melbourne Airport recently, there is a lot of infrastructure happening – the third runway, the removal of that outrageous bridge that we’ve all been stuck on as we’re trying to get out of Melbourne. That’s about to come off as well.
“There’s a whole range of other projects, a new hotel that’s being built on the airport at the moment, and that all of that master planning had been done. They’re now just working through how will the delivery happen.
“Once we’ve got that, we’ll have a time frame for that, and that’ll lead us into our budget processes next year, and we’ll have more to say about that.”
Stage one, including the widening of the rail corridor, works on Sunshine Station, and the section between West Footscray and Albion, is already underway, with builders shortlisted in April; according to the Minister, the first two stages are vital in enabling the third.
“Obviously, the delivery of [stage three timing], that will also give us a clearer indication of cost and we’ll have more to say about that in the future. But you can’t get it to the airport if you don’t get it to Keilor for a start,” she said.
“So, this is a really important stage – as I said back in March, there was no way Melbourne Airport Rail could happen at all unless we actually untangled the rail lines and had that initial stage. We’re now announcing Stage Two, and Stage Three is progressing well.
“This is, I think, the first time since Melbourne Airport Rail has really been talked about. You know, we can see the light of where this project is going, and when it will be delivered for Victorians.
“We’ll have more to say about Stage Three once we’ve got that delivery part actually sorted through with the airport and with Victorian Government.”
The airport rail link will have three stations – the interchange at Sunshine, a new station serving Keilor East and the Airport West precinct, and the airport itself. Passengers will be able to travel straight through from the airport to the city.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
