Tuesday 24 April 2018
Mildura’s transformational rail revival will continue under an elected Liberal Nationals Government.
The Nationals’ Leader Peter Walsh and Member for Mildura Peter Crisp committed $80 million to the next stage of rail works in Mildura today outlining plans for level crossings upgrades and extending passing loops on the line from Mildura.
Mr Walsh said the vital works will make the Mildura line faster and safer getting freight to the ports quicker and paving the way for future passenger rail services.
“The Liberal Nationals are serious about decentralisation and connecting our regional centres and these upgrades are vital to continue the revival of Mildura’s rail line” Mr Walsh said.
“I particularly want to recognise the hard work of Peter Crisp who has been tenaciously knocking on doors organising meetings studying logistics details with industry and widely lobbying Federal and State MPs in order to secure Mildura’s rail line upgrade.
“Crispy’s work was vital in getting the Murray Basin Rail project from concept to reality and he continues to advocate strongly for Mildura’s rail revival.”
The level crossing upgrades will improve the speed and safety of the trains that are using the newly standardised Mildura line to deliver Sunraysia’s horticulture grains and mineral sands exports to market quicker and more efficiently.
Mr Crisp said the Liberal Nationals were committed to helping producers get to market on time and the goal was to achieve a 24-hour turn-around from Merbein to Melbourne Port and back for freight trains.
“The level crossing and passing loop works are crucial for lifting the efficiency of freight transport from the Sunraysia district and they are also a critical prerequisite for a passenger service to return to the Mildura line in the future” Mr Crisp said.
“The Liberal Nationals funded the Murray Basin Rail Project and are committing to the vital next stage of this project because we understand just how important rail services are to the people of Mildura.”