By Gerald Lynch
Star Weekly is looking back on its best stories of 2024. This story was originally published in July and Star Weekly has chosen to share it again for readers to enjoy.
Mayors from Melbourne’s north-west have called on the state and federal governments to get on with building the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
As reported by Star Weekly, mediator Neil Scales, who was appointed to determine whether a resolution is possible between the state government and the operator of Melbourne Airport as to the location of the station, reported that the rail link project remains viable and necessary, and is well backed by all parties.
In a report tabled to federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King, Mr Scales recommended the station be built above ground.
Hume mayor Naim Kurt said it is time to get on with the building of the project, as it is a development that is integral for Hume residents
“Melbourne Airport remains the only Australian capital city without a rail link, which unfairly impacts our residents that work from the airport,” he said.
“As one of Australia’s fastest growing council’s, we need all levels of government to commit to outer suburbs by keeping this project on track, just as they have for the Suburban Rail Loop East.
“Our residents’ needs should come before politics, and we hope the mediator’s report will help end the stalemate so work can begin and reduce the projected four-year delay.
Brimbank mayor Ranka Rasic echoed this sentiment, and said it is more than time for the rail link to be built.
“The mediator has provided a clear way forward and it is time now for all the parties involved to put their differences aside, work together and get the Melbourne Airport Rail project built,” she said.
“We also call on the state government to reassess its revised timeline of a four-year delay and treat the project with the same priority as the Suburban Rail Loop East, which will service the better connected and more affluent suburbs in Melbourne’s east.”
The Melbourne Airport Rail will also enable development of the Sunshine Precinct, the rebuild of Albion Station and the development of the Albion Quarter.
These projects are expected to generate almost 30,000 new jobs and attract more than 40,000 new residents to the west.
