Appendix - Nominated project descriptions
East West Link
Current Status with IA
Real Potential
Stage 3 – Port Melbourne to Western Ring Road
NB. Stages 1 and 2 (Not submitted previously) – Not currently on IA's pipeline
Project Description
This project comprises a new 18 kilometre inner urban freeway connecting the Eastern Freeway and the Western Ring Road, with key intermediate connections including the Tullamarine Freeway, Port of Melbourne and Geelong Road.
The project is made up of 2 stages. It is intended that those sections most amenable to early delivery in partnership with the private sector, including accessing private finance, will be developed first.
- Eastern Freeway to City Link and then City Link to Port of Melbourne
- Port of Melbourne to Western Ring Road
The East West Link, in combination with other transport network initiatives, will support the longterm sustainable growth and development of Melbourne, and have state-wide benefits. The project is aimed at:
- providing an alternative to the M1 corridor (Monash Freeway – CityLink Tunnels – West Gate Bridge – West Gate Freeway);
- reducing traffic on Melbourne's inner urban arterial roads, especially at the Hoddle Street exit on the Eastern Freeway;
- linking industry in Melbourne's north, east and west with national and international markets via the Port of Melbourne, and Tullamarine and Avalon Airports; and
- enhancing urban renewal and commercial development opportunities to the north and west of the CBD.
The East West Link project incorporates an element of scope that has been previously submitted to IA (i.e. Port of Melbourne to Western Ring Road), however the project has now been reconsidered and redefined to include a significantly broader scope.
Project Relationships
The East West Link will provide an alternate cross-city route for freight from the future Port of Hastings. The project enables urban development opportunities under consideration in the metropolitan planning strategy.
Deliverability and Readiness
Planning for the project is at various stages of readiness:
- stages encompassing Eastern Freeway to City Link and City Link to Port of Melbourne require planning and statutory approval concurrent with business case development;
- the planning process for Port of Melbourne to Western Ring Road is complete but still requires further statutory approvals; and
- the construction of each project stage is likely to take three to four years.
The corridors for the Eastern Freeway to Port of Melbourne are still to be determined. These corridors will be informed by planning studies.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $30 million (nominal 2012-13) over two years to carry out the next stage of development.
A further submission may be provided to IA seeking additional Commonwealth funding for project delivery once the initial planning is complete.
Port of Hastings Planning
Current Status with IA
Early Stage
Project Description
The Port of Hastings has been nominated as the preferred site to enhance Victoria's international container port capacity. The Victorian Government has legislated to establish the Port of Hastings Development Authority effective 1 January 2012 to oversee the planning and delivery of an expanded Port of Hastings.
Work has also commenced on project scoping investigations into the technical, environmental, social and economic issues that would need to be addressed in developing and evaluating options for port expansion.
This initiative comprises completion of project development activities for the first stage of the Port of Hastings expansion.
Project Impact
Current and planned capacity at the Port of Melbourne may begin to approach capacity between 2024 and 2027. Melbourne is Australia's principal international container freight gateway with 38 per cent of the nation's international containers handled through the Port of Melbourne.
Expansion of the Port of Hastings will underpin continuing State growth and productivity post 2024-27 while supporting the continuing role of Melbourne as a key hub in international and domestic freight logistics.
The Port of Hastings could also play a role in the export of natural resource products from Gippsland including timber and woodchip products. It would also enable the accelerated development of industrial and transport-based employment in the south-east region of Melbourne.
Project Relationships
The Port of Hastings expansion project would involve associated transport link upgrades, the Metropolitan Intermodal System, and land use opportunities would arise from the accelerated development of new industrial and logistics land uses.
Deliverability and Readiness
This project would complete project development activity over four years commencing in 2012-13 and prepare the Port of Hastings expansion for procurement in time to meet forecast demand.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $120 million (nominal 2012-13) over 4 years, commencing in 2012-13 for to prepare for construction of the first stage of the development of the Port of Hastings including associated transport corridor planning required.
A further submission may be provided to IA seeking additional funding for project delivery once the planning is complete.
Melbourne Metro
Current Status with IA
Ready to Proceed
Project Description
The re-scoped Melbourne Metro project comprises a rail tunnel from South Kensington to South Yarra station that will link the Northern group of rail lines (to Melbourne's north and west) to the south-east.
This project has been refined from the original two-stage scope to use a shorter tunnel to connect the Northern and south-east lines in one stage. It will result in an additional pair of tracks through central Melbourne in a 9km tunnel. The project includes five new stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain. The project also includes site works for the urban redevelopment around the proposed Arden Station.
The project will cater for the increase of rail patronage forecast on the group of lines in Melbourne's west, such as Werribee and Sydenham, within the next decade and, when complemented by works in the Dandenong Rail Capacity program, across lines in the south-east, such as Frankston and Dandenong.
Project Impact
The Melbourne Metro project responds to population growth, provides better access to jobs and services, increases the capacity of the transport system and facilitates productivity growth. The new infrastructure is designed for high frequency (24 trains/hr), high capacity (9-car) trains.
The rail tunnel from South Kensington to South Yarra will dramatically increase transport capacity to central Melbourne, improving accessibility to Melbourne's knowledge economy and facilitating urban renewal in North Melbourne. The new Metro line will allow the rail network to move an additional 25,000 passengers each hour. When complemented by works to remove other capacity constraints on the network, the Metro line alone will be able to carry 60,000 passengers each hour. It is predicted that more than 140,000 passengers will board or alight trains at the five new Metro stations in the morning peak period by 2030.
Project Relationships
This project is dependent on completing the Regional Rail Link, Sunbury Electrification and Laverton Upgrade projects. New trains will be required along with the necessary stabling and maintenance facilities. This project will assist in the development of the Rowville Rail Link, the Doncaster Rail Link Dandenong Rail Capacity, Melbourne Airport Rail Link (depending on selection of preferred scheme) and Regional lines upgrade (Melton, Ballarat and Bendigo). Land use opportunities may arise as a result of this project at Arden in North Melbourne (site works at this location are included in the project scope).
Deliverability and Readiness
The first stage of planning and development has been completed supported by Commonwealth funding. The project is proceeding into the Statutory and Environmental Approvals stage and can be followed by detailed design and pre-construction activities.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $130 million (nominal 2012-13) for pre-construction work of this project.
A further submission may be provided to IA seeking additional funding for project delivery once this phase is complete.
Avalon Airport Rail Link
Current Status with IA
Not currently on IA pipeline
[Note the Premier's 2011 letter to the Chair of Infrastructure Australia, which advised of the inclusion of AARL in the State's list of infrastructure priorities.]
Project Description
The project planning will consider provision for:
- a rail connection leaving the Geelong to Melbourne rail line between Little River and Lara;
- grade separations for the link to cross Old Melbourne Road, Geelong Road and Beach Road; and
- a new rail station at Avalon.
The area around Avalon Airport is already being developed, making the reservation of a rail corridor to the airport increasingly important.
Project Impact
The provision of high capacity and efficient public passenger services with access to Victoria's two largest cities (Melbourne and Geelong) will provide significant development opportunities for the Avalon precinct. Providing a rail link will be a catalyst to the development of Avalon Airport, supporting the timely provision of an alternative international airport with good surface transport connections. In turn, the airport will provide an economic stimulus to the west of Melbourne and the Geelong region.
Victoria maintains international and national competitiveness through two curfew free airports at Avalon and Tullamarine operating within capacity. This initiative seeks to ensure this competitiveness continues into the future with efficient ground access infrastructure, improved accessibility to air travel and sufficient airport capacity.
Project Relationships
Development of the metropolitan planning strategy will enable consideration of the future of the Werribee-Geelong corridor.
Deliverability and Readiness
Stage 1 works (Project identification and Planning) have been completed. This included high level operational and rail alignment investigations, specialist investigations and Strategic Assessment for the Department of Treasury and Finance.
Stage 2 works, Project Development and Approvals, is now commencing.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government allocated $3 million in the 2011-12 Budget to undertake planning for the rail link. Alternative options for the project's future funding are being explored with the operators of Avalon Airport and the Commonwealth Government, which owns the land.
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $30 million (nominal 2012-13) to carry out the next stage of project development work.
A further submission may be provided to IA seeking additional funding for project development and delivery once the initial planning is complete.
Removing Level Crossings
Current Status with IA
Not currently on IA pipeline
Project Description
This project is a broad ranging program of level crossing replacement across metropolitan Melbourne. It includes the elimination of three level crossings in Mitcham Road and Rooks Road, Mitcham and Springvale Road, Springvale as the initial priority, with planning and construction to commence on the remaining seven crossings across metropolitan Melbourne that have been identified as priorities, including Mountain Highway, Bayswater; Scoresby Road, Bayswater; North Road, Ormond; Blackburn Road, Blackburn; Main Road East/Main Road West, St Albans; Burke Road, Glen Iris; and Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena.
This initiative seeks planning and development funding to establish and plan for priority grade separation projects. Alternative financing options, through contributions from the private sector, will also be explored.
Project Impact
A program of level crossing removal will contribute to improved productivity and safety outcomes in Melbourne and improved land use outcomes by supporting urban renewal to cater for Melbourne's growth. Level crossing elimination addresses:
- unpredictable delays to traffic flow caused by high train and traffic volumes;
- delays to rail service efficiency at locations where trains (including express services) must travel slowly over the level crossing (in some cases as low as 15 km/h);
- high potential for crashes involving trains with vehicles or pedestrians on the level crossing (between 1997 and 2009, there were 38 fatalities at level crossings in metropolitan Melbourne); and
- barriers that limit urban renewal and disconnect communities.
Project Relationships
Victoria is committed to removing the level crossing at Springvale Road, Springvale which is a key to the Dandenong Rail Capacity program as well as crossings at Mitcham Road and Rooks Road, Mitcham. The level crossing works proposed at Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena may also be incorporated into the Dandenong Rail Capacity program.
Deliverability and Readiness
- Development and planning of the first three priority locations Mitcham Road and Rooks Road, Mitcham and Springvale Road, Springvale is underway.
- Delivery of the program will occur progressively as funding permits.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding for planning and development activities of $16 million (nominal 2012-13) over 3 years.
A further submission may be provided to IA seeking additional funding for project delivery once the initial planning is complete.
Dandenong Rail Capacity
Current Status with IA
Not currently on IA pipeline
Project Description
This project incorporates a program of initiatives aimed at increasing capacity in a key rail corridor.
The program can address growth requirements through a combination of:
- short-term operational initiatives to maximise use of existing assets including increased numbers of shoulder peak services and train refits;
- level crossing upgrades (including elimination) to allow a move to more and longer trains across critical road-rail level crossings;
- rail signalling upgrades;
- power upgrades required to support any significant increase in train frequency or operation of longer trains;
- running nine car train sets; and
- platform lengthening to support longer nine car trains.
Project Impact
The Dandenong Rail Corridor currently has the capacity to move 12,500 passengers in the morning 1 hour peak period on 15 Metro trains (12,000 passengers) and 2 V/Line trains (500 passengers). The Corridor includes the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines serving Melbourne's south-east, a catchment area which produced a GDP of $92 billion in 2007-08, equivalent to 49 per cent of Melbourne's GDP, or 9 per cent of Australian GDP.
The corridor also currently carries regional trains from the Latrobe Valley and some rail freight. This initiative will support improved efficiency for freight and commercial traffic movements in the southeast, including on potential future transport links to the Port of Hastings and additional paths for rail freight movements between the Port of Melbourne and freight terminals in the south-east.
The Dandenong Rail Capacity program follows the delivery of Regional Rail Link and will enable future capacity benefits delivered through the Melbourne Metro project. This initiative can be progressively implemented over the next decade, commencing in the next two years. It will facilitate the running of more passenger trains and provide more train paths for freight on this corridor.
The initiatives outlined above (under Project Description) have the potential to lift capacity by nearly 100 per cent, allowing an additional 11,000 people to travel on the corridor per hour. With Melbourne Metro, corridor capacity is increased nearly threefold, adding over 20,000 people per hour compared to today.
Project Relationships
- Implementation of Melbourne Metro enables the maximum benefit of the options to increased capacity on the DRC to be achieved.
- New trains (and associated stabling and maintenance facilities) will also be required.
- The Dandenong Rail Corridor project is necessary to allow for future connections to the Port of Hastings and the proposed rail line to Rowville.
- It also enables development of the south-east growth area.
Deliverability and Readiness
The project is currently at feasibility stage. Initial planning work and options assessment have been undertaken.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $30 million (nominal 2012-13) to carry out initial planning and development work.
A further submission may be provided to IA seeking additional funding for project delivery once the initial planning is complete.
High Capacity Signalling (HCS) Test Line Project
Current Status with IA
Not currently on IA pipeline
Project Description
High Capacity Signalling uses new technology available for in-cab signalling, to enable trains to travel safely closer together.
The project is aimed at testing the use of High Capacity Signalling systems for future rail links (such as Melbourne Metro, Rowville, Doncaster and Melbourne Airport) and future upgrades of existing lines (such as Dandenong). This is a proposal to conduct a trial of High Capacity Signalling on the Sandringham Line. The Sandringham line has been nominated because it operates as a stand-alone rail line.
Project Impact
This project can help address the train capacity constraints imposed by the existing coloured lights signalling systems. High Capacity Signalling can increase the capacity, reliability and availability of the network while reducing the line side infrastructure requirements and associated operational costs.
The project will allow for future installation of High Capacity Signalling as part of the Dandenong Rail Capacity program.
Project Relationships
- Delivery of the Digital Train Radio System is important to this project.
- Projects that would benefit from the completion of this project are rail capacity improvement infrastructure projects, e.g. Melbourne Metro, Dandenong Rail Capacity program, Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
Deliverability and Readiness
Completion of a full business case, and scoping the requirements for the development work required on the Sandringham Line will be necessary for the project. Commissioning of the test line project is expected to take up to four years from commencement of project funding.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $10 million (nominal 2012-13) for the planning phase of the project.
A further submission may be provided to IA seeking support for additional Commonwealth funding.
Tram Route 86 Demonstration Project
Current Status with IA
Ready to Proceed
Project Description
The Victorian Government supports a scheme to revitalise High Street and Plenty Road, Darebin, for which the City of Darebin led an extensive community consultation process. The scheme includes:
- various traffic management treatments to provide public transport priority;
- installing accessible tram stops and replacing tram tracks;
- changes to parking arrangements; and
- urban renewal including street beautification works.
The scheme is being undertaken in three sections:
- Section A: Westgarth Street to Separation Street;
- Section B: Separation Street to Dundas Street; and
- Section C: Dundas Street to Albert Street.
This is a pilot project that will inform the metropolitan planning strategy and will be important in assessing transport options that support Government's urban development priorities.
Project Impact
The project addresses constraints caused by the growth in Melbourne's population, particularly in the inner networks. It would also implement options that can be used to support urban growth in growth corridors/targeted urban renewal locations that will be identified in the metropolitan planning strategy. At completion, it will deliver improved access to jobs, services and recreation opportunities and supports vibrant local communities as well as access to trams for the elderly, people with disabilities and parents with prams.
Project Relationships
Many other tram roads on the Melbourne metropolitan network will benefit from the implementation and operation of the new initiatives, particularly public transport priority and accessibility. It is envisaged that this approach could be extended to other tram routes across metropolitan Melbourne over time.
Deliverability and Readiness
- Section A is underway and due to be completed in December 2011.
- Section B design work is underway, enabling delivery from 2012 onwards (subject to funding).
- Section C design work is underway, enabling delivery from 2012 onwards (subject to funding).
- Delivery of section A is almost complete.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $70 million (nominal 2012-13) for the delivery of:
- $30 million (nominal) for the implementation of Section B; and
- $40 million (nominal) for the implementation of Section C.
Western Interstate Freight Terminal
Current Status with IA
Real Potential
Project Description
The project seeks to establish a world-class intermodal terminal and associated freight precinct with efficient rail and road connections in the west of Melbourne.
A staged approach is being proposed for the development of a purpose-built intermodal terminal and freight park.
The project is dependent on the ARTC providing a standard gauge connection.
The first stage comprises the terminal development and the connection between the Sydney-Brisbane line and the Terminal.
Project Impact
The Dynon Rail Precinct generates over 2,000 truck movements per day on roads and highways in inner Melbourne. The development of a new Western Terminal will remove these movements from the Port/Dynon area.
The terminal will support projected growth in interstate rail freight and improve productivity through lower distribution costs. It will be a key element in a national rail freight network and contribute to the growth of freight on rail.
A new terminal and co-located freight precinct would continue to support Melbourne's position as a key hub of the nation's freight and logistics industry, and significantly reduce kilometres travelled and cost in the freight distribution task as well as providing for economic and business growth through improved access, competition, efficiency and capacity.
Development of the new interstate freight terminal will also significantly improve the capacity of interstate freight transport in the north-south and east-west corridors connecting Melbourne to the rest of the country.
There is competition for transport capacity and land use in the Port/Dynon precinct particularly in relation to land currently occupied by the interstate rail freight terminal. Relocation of the interstate terminal from its current location would release land, road and rail corridor capacity for alternative higher value use in the current port precinct.
The project also provides opportunities to improve the amenity of the inner west which will itself also encourage economic growth, as well as help to decrease environmental externalities and enhance national productivity.
Project Relationships
Work done for the Regional Rail Link project has enabled protection of a standard gauge to connect to a new interstate terminal in the west (WIFT).
Deliverability and Readiness
The project is currently at pre-feasibility development stage with the recent completion of options assessment and preliminary business case. Progressive planning and delivery is proposed over the coming years.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding for planning and project development activities of $10 million (nominal 2012-13) over 2 years commencing 2012-13.
A further submission may be provided to IA seeking additional funding for project delivery once the initial planning is complete.
National Managed Motorways*
* "motorway" is used rather than freeway by Infrastructure Australia (IA) for national/international consistency
Current Status with IA
Ready to Proceed
Program Description
The Managed Motorways program delivers intelligent transport systems to better manage Melbourne's freeway/tollway network and maximise infrastructure productivity. These systems enable incident management, operational prioritisation, integrated speed and lane use management and provision of travel information.
This submission is part of a national submission "National Smart Managed Motorways program" involving Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia. Victorian projects in the national submission are upgrades to the following road sections:
- M1 Monash Freeway – High Street to Warrigal Road; and
- M1 Monash Freeway – Warrigal Road to Clyde Road.
These project proposals build on systems already delivered as part of the M1 Upgrade but will upgrade them from ITS1 to ITS3 standard as required by IA, as well as improving additional road sections.
Project Impact
Managed Motorways provides the following benefits:
- greater throughput on freeways, at a higher speed and with improved reliability, and enhanced productive capacity;
- efficient, reliable travel on the principal freight network, improving the efficiency of Victoria's supply chain; and
- efficient vehicle operation – stable flow at the speeds at which vehicles produce the lowest emissions and pollutants per km travelled.
Deliverability and Readiness
Planning and progressive delivery of priorities as funding permits.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $115 million (nominal 2012-13) for the delivery of:
- M1 Monash Freeway – High Street to Warrigal Road section at an estimated cost of $14.3m (nominal); and
- M1 Monash Freeway – Warrigal Road to Clyde Road section at an estimated cost of $100.7m (nominal).
Green Triangle Freight Transport Program
Current Status with IA
Real Potential
Project Description
The proposed program involves delivery of road projects in south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia to support the region's growing freight task, particularly in relation to wood chips and mineral sands.
Green Triangle initiatives in Victoria include:
- Princes Highway – overtaking lanes and intersection upgrades;
- Portland Ring Road – intersection improvements, road widening and pavement strengthening;
- Woolsthorpe – Heywood Road – resheeting and widening; and
- local roads (Vic/SA) – upgrades.
Project Impact
The Green Triangle Region of south west Victoria and south-east South Australia has a diverse economic base and is experiencing economic growth. There are significant blue gum plantations that are now progressively coming to market. This growth will translate into an increase in the region's freight task in the coming years. The Port of Portland has already undertaken additional port related developments for woodchips and mineral sands and this initiative will enable these and other products to be more efficiently moved to the Port.
Project Relationships
This program is not dependent on other projects, but would help improve the efficient transport network in south-west Victoria, and support other Victorian Government investments; for example, a new passing loop on the Warrnambool line.
Deliverability and Readiness
The road projects identified in this program are ready for delivery, and if funding is available, would be delivered over the course of two financial years.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $62.8 million (nominal 2012-13) for a number of short-term projects for Victoria within the broader program.
Precinct Energy
Current Status with IA
Not currently on IA pipeline
Project Description
This initiative seeks to develop an innovative and integrated low emission energy efficient urban renewal precinct infrastructure solution at the 128 hectare Maribrynong Defence site (Maribrynong) to be owned, operated and funded by the private sector.
This initiative builds on a pilot project being undertaken in Dandenong for a Co-generation Precinct Energy Project (PEP) covering approximately 7 hectares of urban renewal land. This links to the Infrastructure Australia's theme of Developing the National Energy Market through Utilisation of Innovative Technologies.
The key objectives of the PEP initiative for Maribyrnong are:
- understanding the private sector risk drivers to investing in innovative low emission energy technology within urban renewal projects;
- ascertaining market acceptance (ie. financier, developer and tenant) of low emission energy with the objective being that its delivery in Maribyrnong (and other urban renewal locations) can be achieved with 100 per cent private funding;
- without a national thermal energy regulator, the development of a commercial transparent thermal energy governance mechanism is important;
- development of thermal energy distribution design and implementation expertise;
- collection of PEP customer energy profile data from Dandenong which will provide valuable information regarding low carbon, built form energy performance and demand, which in turn will be applied to future masterplan design guidelines in Maribyrnong.
Outcomes of this project will be used to inform similar initiatives in other Australian urban renewal projects.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $15 million (nominal 2012-13) towards implementation of the Precinct Energy Project.
Integrated Urban Renewal
Current Status with IA
Not currently on IA pipeline
Project Description
This initiative is strongly aligned with Infrastructure Australia's theme of Transforming Our Cities, and the identified need to "link infrastructure decisions to land use decisions, including decisions about the phasing of development" (IA report to COAG).
It will:
- demonstrate the value add of urban renewal to major transport projects and enable land use opportunities to be integrated from the initial stages of project planning;
- enable an assessment of the cost-benefit of urban renewal under different development scenarios including government provision of infrastructure, developer provision of infrastructure and joint provision of infrastructure and the levers to increase viability of certain development scenarios; and
- identify best practice approaches to securing investment in urban renewal sites, including how risk sharing can be accommodated.
This project could be undertaken jointly with other jurisdictions, with potential national application upon completion.
Cost advice
The Victorian Government is seeking IA support for Commonwealth funding of $2 million for planning and project development activities in developing resources and tools to support integrated land use planning and assessment.
Last updated on Wednesday, 16 November 2011