REGION ELIMINATED FROM HIGH-SPEED-RAIL STUDY
October 6, 2011
The Gillard Labor Government is refusing to consider the viability of a high-speed rail link through Gippsland and Latrobe Valley, effectively ruling the region out of contention for the project.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester wrote to the Federal Transport Minister seeking his support to include a possible Gippsland route in the study which is considering the high-speed rail link proposal between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Mr Chester, who is also the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport, said he had recently received advice from the Federal Transport Minister that the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland corridor “presented significant environmental issues, longer interstate travel times and higher capital costs” compared to the Hume corridor which was preferred by the government.
The Minister also advised that the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland regions “had relatively dispersed population with a few settlements over 3000 to 4000 people”.
The first phase of the study into high-speed-rail identified corridors, station locations, potential patronage and a cost estimate. It assessed routes according to the potential of development benefits, connectivity with other transport systems, land use, environmental impact, future population catchment and capital costs.
A short list of corridors has been listed for further analysis in phase two of the study which will refine the preferred route, cost, patronage, revenue, financing and staging.
“Our region has been excluded from phase two and this will be disappointing news for local residents and business owners who hoped that high-speed-rail would provide an economic boost to our region in the future,” Mr Chester said.
“The Hume corridor is already better serviced in terms of transport links and the potential to open up Gippsland for tourism and other industries deserves full consideration.
“While it is uncertain that a high-speed rail service will be viable in Australia, the government should consider all options.”
The cost estimate for the implementation of the high-speed-rail link is between $61 billion to $108 billion depending upon the combination of corridors selected.
Latrobe Valley and Gippsland residents still have time to provide feedback on the initial report and can do at www.infrastructure.gov.au/rail.trains/high_speed/index.aspx
