Tom Ingleton
A steering committee will be set up to oversee the airport rail link, after Melbourne Airport and the state and federal governments signed a memorandum of understanding, committing them to the project.
The MOU signals a commitment from all three parties to progress the long-discussed project, which will provide a long-overdue rail connection to Melbourne Airport.
The steering committee will comprised representative from the state and federal government and Melbourne Airport owner Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd.
This latest development follows the decision to begin work at Sunshine station, which will be a crucial hub in the airport rail link network, enabling connections between the airport, Keilor East, and broader regional services.
A key feature of the project includes re-configuring freight, regional, and suburban rail tracks between West Footscray and Albion to accommodate the new airport rail service.
The rail link is expected to improve transport accessibility for Melbourne’s growing western suburbs and streamline connectivity across the broader metropolitan and regional network.
State Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams underscored the project’s importance for faster and safer travel, particularly for Melbourne’s west.
“Melbourne Airport Rail Link is an important rail project, which will pave the way for faster and safer journeys for passengers across the state for decades to come,” Ms Williams said.
“We are getting on with delivering the first stage of Melbourne Airport Rail, re-configuring freight, regional and suburban tracks between West Footscray and Albion to accommodate the new airport rail service.”
