Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh is looking for the millions, even hundreds of millions, of dollars that have been spent on upgrading the Echuca-Bendigo train line.
But he said he can’t find them anywhere.
In April 2017 the Andrews Labor Government announced a $91 million spend on the Echuca-Bendigo line so it could go at 130km/h instead of the current 80km/h.
“And the trains still run slow because the track is not safe enough,” Mr Walsh observed.
In May 2017 a $3 billion deal was announced between Canberra and the Andrews Labor Government for regional rail improvements – including the Echuca-Bendigo line.
Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said at the time “it’s the next step of our regional rail revival, investing in the public transport that regional Victorians deserve and can rely on”.
“And the trains still run slow because the track is not safe enough,” Mr Walsh observed.
In July 2018 we heard from the Andrews Labor Government of the commitment that regional passenger rail services on the Bendigo/Echuca line were set to become quicker and more reliable.
The Andrews Labor Government claimed the project was also expected to increase frequency and capacity of rail services … allowing trains to travel quicker, reducing travel times and getting local passengers where they need to go sooner.
Construction works were set to begin in late 2018.
“And the trains still run slow because the track is not safe enough,” Mr Walsh observed.
In October 2019 the Andrews Labor Government announced two consortia had been shortlisted to deliver signalling works as part of the Bendigo and Echuca Line upgrade.
VicConnect comprises UGL Limited, Decmil and Arup, and the other consortium comprises CPB Contractors, John Holland, WSP and SMEC.
Jacinta Allan said “we’re getting on and delivering the infrastructure needed to run more trains more often”.
“And the trains still run slow because the track is not safe enough,” Mr Walsh observed.
On July 6, two weeks ago, it was like Groundhog Day, because yes, Jacinta was bag, with another bag of cash, releasing a public statement saying the Echuca-Bendigo line is set to benefit from “faster and more frequent train services as part of a $300 million regional rail funding boost”.
“This extra funding will get shovels in the ground faster – delivering more trains, more often,” Ms Allan said.
“And the trains still run slow because the track is not safe enough,” Mr Walsh observed.
“The Andrews Labor Government in general, and Transport Minister Jacinta Allan in particular, have had untold millions to splash around on the Echuca-Bendigo line – and nothing has happened,” he added.
“We have been shovel ready, we have had tenders called, we have had bazillions of dollars guaranteed for more trains and faster trains.
“However, as of today, we still only have one train a day to Melbourne (and two on Saturday and Sundays) and those trains still run slow because the track is not safe enough.
“Minister Allan, where has all the money gone and if you still have some tucked away in your bottom drawer, could we borrow it for a while, and we will get the job done.”