The State Government has committed to building Stage 1 and 2 of the East West Link, the Airport Rail Link, the Metro Rail Capacity Project and the future development of the Port of Hastings . The State Opposition has announced a different agenda, including a programme for grade separation of level crossings and Bay West as the next major port development.
With multi-billion dollar price tags attached, each of these projects will place considerable strain on the State Budget for the next decade. Moreover, they will also require extensive Commonwealth planning and environmental approvals in order to proceed.
If Victoria is to maximise Commonwealth funding support and ensure planning and environmental approvals are conducted expeditiously.
Politicisation of major infrastructure projects should stop. An independent agency should advise the sequence and priority of these projects and the Victorian Parliament support these projects in a united fashion.