The thought of an underground prepare station at Melbourne Airport ought to not be entertained, says the person charged with getting the stalled venture transferring.
Mediator Neil Scales reported the $10 billion venture stays “viable and necessary” however must be above ground until a “comprehensive” case is put ahead for another.
The report handed three foremost suggestions to federal Transport Minister Catherine King, together with Sunshine Station works persevering with to rework it into a serious transport hub.
This would capitalise on the early works accomplished for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, in keeping with Mr Scales.
Its second advice was for refreshed modelling work on the timeline for the capability of Tullamarine Freeway.
The third was to maneuver in opposition to additional federal and state consideration of an underground prepare choice, until airport proprietor APAM places ahead a case in help.
“Should APAM wish to progress with the option of an underground station, it recommended that they produce a suitable and comprehensive business case, so that key stakeholders can examine the proposal in detail,” Mr Scales stated.
Underground station proposal ‘doesn’t stack up’, transport minister says
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson stated he agreed with the report’s evaluation on having an above-ground venture.
“The report makes clear what we have said from the start — Melbourne Airport’s demand for an underground station does not stack up,” he stated.
“It will involve greater disruption, take almost two years longer to deliver and cost taxpayers billions more.
“Upgrading Sunshine Station is an important a part of the venture and we all know that it’ll ship large advantages for Melbourne’s rising west.”
A Melbourne Airport spokesman said its position remains that “an underground station on the airport is the precise resolution”.
“Melbourne Airport was working in good religion with the Victorian authorities on its most popular above-ground station till it deserted negotiations in April 2023 and referred the venture to the Federal Infrastructure Review,” he stated.
“We sit up for working with the Commonwealth and State governments to leverage present enterprise circumstances that resulted in world-class underground stations, together with at Western Sydney Airport.”
The full report has been sent by the federal government to its state counterparts and the airport owners.
AAP