NO.046

AUSLINK PROVIDES HUGE BOOST FOR VICTORIAN LAND TRANSPORT – $186

MILLION FOR GEELONG BYPASS

Treasurer Peter Costello today launched AusLink in Victoria with the announcement

of a massive funding boost for the State, including $186 million to build the

Geelong Bypass by 2008-09. Auslink is the Australian Government’s new

land transport plan.

Speaking at Geelong, Mr Costello said that Victoria will receive $1.4 billion

for land transport projects on the new AusLink National Network and for existing

commitments to projects off the Network over the next five years from 2004-05

to 2008-09.

Mr Costello said this included the commitment of $575 million for new AusLink

projects comprising:

• A $186 million contribution to the building of the Geelong Bypass;
• An initial $114 million contribution to duplication of the Calder Highway

  between Kyneton and Ravenswood, with a further $82 million to be provided

  beyond this five year period;

• An initial $80 million contribution to the Western Highway to enable work

  to start on a bypass of Deer Park and an upgraded intersection at Leakes Road

  (with additional funds to be sought from future budgets);

• $110 million towards improving interstate rail connections to the Dynon

  intermodal precinct and the Port of Melbourne, including grade separation

  of the rail track and Footscray Road;

• $40 million to build a new bi-directional rail line between Tottenham junction

  and West Footscray;

• A $25 million contribution towards standardisation of the second railway

  track between Melbourne and Albury-Wodonga; and

• $20 million to help upgrade and standardise the railway track between Geelong

  and Mildura.

Mr Costello said he was particularly delighted to be able to announce the commitment

to the Geelong Bypass, as the volume of traffic along the single north-south

route on the Princes Highway has been creating major problems for the local

community, the transport industry and tourists. Travel times are unpredictable

with 20 signalised intersections and there are safety and environmental issues.

The Geelong Bypass will involve the construction of a 22 kilometre four lane

freeway to the west of Geelong from Corio to rejoin the Princes Highway at Waurn

Ponds. It will lead to reduced and more reliable travel time, and improved access

to the National Network and the Ports of Geelong and Melbourne. It should also

decrease congestion in Geelong and lead to improved safety.

Mr Costello said that under AusLink all current land transport funding commitments

will be honoured, including the Government’s commitment to provide another

$421.5 million to the Scoresby Freeway as long as the Victorian Government builds

it as an untolled road.

AusLink includes the remaining $421.5 million Australian Government contribution

to the Scoresby Freeway. Mr Costello called on the Victorian Government to match

this funding immediately and honour its signed agreement to build the Scoresby

Freeway without tolls. “Victorians were promised a freeway by Mr Bracks.

The Victorian Government should build it” Mr Costello said.

Besides the $1.4 billion for the projects identified in the Budget and today’s

announcements, Victoria will receive land transport funding through the Roads

to Recovery programme, a share of AusLink maintenance funding for 2005-06 to

2008-09 ($35.3 million has already been allocated to Victoria for 2004-05),

the Black Spot programme and untied road grants to local councils.

CANBERRA

7 June 2004

Contact: David Alexander

02 6277 7340