By Laura Michell
A rail line to Wollert could become a reality if Labor wins Saturday’s federal election.
Labor’s Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development spokesman Anthony Albanese has announced that a Shorten Government will provide $500,000 towards a feasibility study for a train line to Wollert.
Whittlesea council and residents of Wollert and Epping North have been campaigning for the rail line for a number of years, with the council recently calling on Labor and the Liberal Party to help get the project off the ground by funding a feasibility study.
The Victorian Infrastructure Plan, which was released in 2017, recommended investigations into the feasibility of a high-capacity transport link to connect Wollert to the rail network commence within five years to improve commute times for residents.
Scullin MP Andrew Giles said Labor was pledging to fund a feasibility study because the communities of Epping North and Wollert needed easy access to rail.
“I have been working closely with community members and the City of Whittlesea to see the northern suburbs get a fair deal when it comes to infrastructure,” he said.
“I am proud that a Shorten Labor Government has committed $500,000 so a feasibility study can be undertaken…better public transport options for Epping North and Wollert is a major priority to me.”
Whittlesea council says the rail link will be needed within the next 10 years, with the population of Wollert and Epping North expected to increase by about 60,000 people by 2041.
