RACV welcomes Federal Budget pledges

Victoria will receive $500 million in the 2017-18 Budget for regional rail improvements to the North-East Line, the Gippsland Line and the Geelong Line, as well as a study into improving the Shepparton Line.

Victoria will also receive an additional $20.2 million for Murray Basin Rail, taking the total commitment to this project to $240 million.

In addition, the Federal Government will provide $30 million towards the development of a business case for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

RACV is pleased to see the $1 billion due to Victoria as part of the Asset Recycling Initiative devoted to the regional rail upgrade package.  

With $30 million allocated to establish the business case for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, joining with the commitment from the State Government, the assessment of the best option for this project can now get underway.

RACV urges the Federal Government to also make a commitment to the city-shaping Metro Rail Project which should be part of its plan to deliver improved public transport services in Australia’s fastest-growing city.

RACV notes that $400 million is still outstanding as part of the Asset Recycling Scheme, and considers that full Federal funding for all the planned initiatives announced by the State Government should be delivered.

We want to see the State and Federal Governments cooperating to ensure Victoria receives the full amount of funding required for each of the proposed regional rail line upgrades.

$1.5 billion originally destined for the defunct East West Link has been redirected to fund several critical metropolitan and regional projects agreed with the State Government, including the Monash Freeway, the M80 Ring Road, rural road upgrades and urban congestion.

However the Federal Government has not committed any funding for the North East Link.

RACV supports funding for critical upgrades to metropolitan and regional road projects, and believes the redirection is a pragmatic option in light of the cancellation of the East West link.

The lack of funding for the North East Link is disappointing, and we hope to see the Federal Government contribute to the project in the next budget.

RACV has advocated for many years that the North East Link is the most critical road project in Victoria and that this city-shaping road of national importance should be a commitment by the Federal Government.

The Government has provided an extra $16 million to extend the Keys2drive program, providing around 200,000 free lessons to learner drivers.

The Federal Government will also be conducting an inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy.

RACV fully supports the Keys2drive program, and welcomes the extension of the program, alongside the Government’s commitment to an inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy.

The existing national Road Safety Strategy is not on track to achieve the targeted reduction in the road toll. The inquiry must determine what steps have to be taken to reduce the loss of life and serious injury.

The Federal Government is continuing to fund the Black Spot Program with $684.5 million from 2013-14 to 2020-21 so it can continue to deliver safety improvements, such as safety barriers and street lighting to sections of dangerous road that have a crash history.

Commitment to the Roads to Recovery Programme has been maintained with $4.4 billion from 2013-14 to 2020-21 for the construction, repair and upgrade of local roads.