City touts fast rail within six years

AN AMBITIOUS report being touted by the City of Greater Geelong claims a fast rail service connecting Melbourne to Geelong could be up and running within six years.

The “Stronger, Together” report was commissioned by the city following the state government’s commitment to plan for 200kmh fast rail services to Geelong and Ballarat.

Instead of 300kmh bullet trains, the report proposes a new, fully electrified commuter rail network between Melbourne and Geelong (a 35-minute journey), Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Latrobe (Traralgon).

The network would also service Tullamarine and Avalon airports, as well as the towns in between.

The report states all the regional fast rail lines (except Latrobe) could be constructed within the $10 billion already allocated by the Victorian and federal governments to the Melbourne Airport  Rail Link.

“Conversely, if Tullamarine Fast Rail is designed without regional fast rail functionality in mind, this could shut out forever the ability to change the Melbourne-regional spatial relationship for the better.”

The network would be planned and built in parallel with the Airport Rail Link tunnel, Sunshine station and metropolitan suburban track duplications.

“This allows fast regional services such as Geelong and Ballarat to begin operating within around six years, in line with likely Airport Rail Link delivery timeframes.”

The proposal also states another $1 billion is needed for a new high capacity 200kmh all-electric fleet of trains to operate the services.

“Despite serious and much-appreciated investments from successive governments, regions like Geelong are getting further away from Melbourne and tougher in commuting terms, rather than closer and easier,” Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said.

“Some time ago, we sensed that fast, highfrequency, French-style regional rail might solve both problems in one commercially, economically and environmentally-productive program.

“This report suggests much of the vision could be built in parallel with the Melbourne Airport Rail Link. This means fast rail should not have to wait for another decade.”