PASSENGER rail will return to Horsham and travel times between western Victoria and Melbourne will be slashed if the Coalition wins the state election in November.
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Opposition Leader Matthew Guy announced this week the Coalition would build a high-speed rail network across Victoria, which would cut the travel time between Ararat and Melbourne by about half an hour.
The project will cost between $15 billion and $19 billion and will be planned and built in three stages over 10 years.
Eight western Victorian councils have been actively campaigning for the return of passenger rail to Horsham and Hamilton since April last year. The Coalition pledged funding for a business case earlier this year, and reaffirmed that commitment in this week’s announcement.
The state government has not made any commitments for passenger rail in the region.
The high-speed rail pledge comes after the Opposition last week announced it would spend $4 million on a Yarra Valley tourist railway, after the state government also pledged money.
Horsham Rural City mayor Pam Clarke said the Coalition’s latest commitment was exactly what the region needed.
“We are advocating hard to return passenger rail to Horsham and Hamilton, but we don't want a sub-standard service because the state government would have reason to take it away again,” she said.
“It's the infrastructure we need in the region to promote tourism, economic benefit, welfare and support for health services.
“I commend the Coalition for its continuous support. We need to see governments that are supporting the region. We want a commitment from both sides before the election.”
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said she was thrilled passenger rail would once again be an option for Wimmera people if the Coalition was successful in the election.
“This is the first firm commitment to return passenger rail to Horsham and Hamilton, and I’m really proud,” she said.
“It’s been a big fight, not just from me but from so many people in our communities and our councils.
“This has taken a lot of time to pull together – it’s a significant investment in regional rail right across the state.
“It’s exciting to think we'll have fast rail from Ballarat to the city.
“The biggest response I’ve had from people has been, ‘Oh wow – that will be amazing’.
“A few people have said this will change their lives.”
Ms Kealy said the project would also be important to help promote decentralisation.
“You really need to make these sort of investments in regional Victoria to ensure we are supporting rural and regional living,” she said.
“We know connectivity is one of the most important aspects people consider if they're looking to move from the city.
“We need to ensure people have a good connection into Ballarat and then into Melbourne.”
The Coalition has also committed to a new bus service between Horsham and Hamilton; ensuring a weekday train service arrives in Ararat before 9am; and introducing tourist-friendly coach services to Halls Gap and the Grampians.
Member for Ripon Louise Staley said it took commuters 138 minutes to travel from Ararat to Melbourne, but that would be cut to 109 minutes when high-speed rail started operating.
“Our plan for European-style high speed rail will decentralise our population and transform regional Victoria,” she said.
“European-style high speed rail to Ballarat will give residents in my electorate of Ripon real choices where they live and work and free up precious time to spend with family that is currently consumed stuck on trains.
“Building a high-speed rail network across Victoria will create at least 10,000 new jobs, with many of these jobs in regional Victoria.”
The Coalition also plans to return passenger rail services to St Arnaud and Donald