[Melb] airport rail link

["DL" <D_Lindstrom@Bigpond.com>]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/2001/01/31/FFXQ9JCGKIC.html
Labor MPs to push airport rail link

By GABRIELLE COSTA
Wednesday 31 January 2001

Labor MPs from Melbourne's north-west will push the State Government to
adopt a city-to-airport rail link route that will cost almost $450 million -
twice that of another option.

The government will tomorrow release a series of consultants' reports on the
proposed link, a 1999 election commitment, and has called for public
discussion on the proposals, which involve 130kmh trains going through
Broadmeadows or Albion.

The Albion option, which ALP sources said had the widespread support of
Labor MPs and councils in the surrounding areas, would cost up to $448
million, according to the reports.

The Broadmeadows corridor, which would run through seven level crossings,
could cost as little as $191 million, but as much as $285 million.

According to the reports, the cost benefits on the Broadmeadows route are up
to $3.59 for every dollar spent, but would adversely affect more residents
than the Albion route. The same cost analysis shows an economic benefit of
up to $2.34 for every dollar spent on the Albion route, for which there
would be only 20-minute express services. Express or semi-express services
would be available on the Broadmeadows line.

The government will contribute $20 million to the project, which will create
400 jobs during construction.

The independent reports cover issues that include the environmental impact
of the rail links, public support, economic impact, risk and safety,
cultural heritage, noise and traffic engineering. They show that the
proposal would be economically viable.

Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said yesterday concerned residents and
others should read the reports, and make submissions to an independent panel
by March 16. This would make recommendations on the links to the State
Government later this year.

The government would then call for expressions of interest from the private
sector. "We have no pre-determined outcome," Mr Batchelor said.

Regardless of which route is chosen, construction is not expected to begin
before 2003, and unlikely to be finished before 2006.

Essendon Labor MP Judy Maddigan, whose electorate lies in the path of the
Broadmeadows route, said yesterday her constituents would be disadvantaged
if the Albion option was discarded.

Six months ago, Pascoe Vale Labor MP and cabinet minister Christine Campbell
told a public meeting that the Broadmeadows option failed on environmental,
economic and social grounds, but yesterday would only encourage people to
participate in the consultation process.

Federal Labor MP for the seat of Wills, Kelvin Thomson, said there was
insufficient community support to justify the Broadmeadows route, despite it
being cheaper.

The consultants' reports show that 61 per cent of Broadmeadows residents
favored the concept of a fast rail link, but only 47 per cent supported a
link that ran through their local area.

In Albion, support for the concept stood at 79 per cent, and was 10
percentage points lower when respondents were told it would run through
their area.

Opposition transport spokesman Geoff Leigh questioned why the government had
commissioned reports on the issue that had already been considered by the
previous government.



--
Regards,
David Lindstrom