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Liberal Party Softens Stance on $34.5 Billion Suburban Rail Loop
MELBOURNE, Australia – Opposition transport spokesman Matthew Guy declared tunnel boring machines that have already traveled six kilometers underground for a controversial rail project cannot simply be filled back in.This statement effectively softens the Liberal Party’s stance on the $34.5 billion Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East.
The Liberal Party is now signaling it will continue with the Suburban Rail Loop if elected, provided tunnel boring machines have already begun work.
- The Liberal Party confirmed it would proceed with the SRL East if tunnel boring machines have started work by December.
- Tunnel boring machines are expected to arrive in australia late this year, with tunneling slated to commence in 2026.
- An Infrastructure Australia report urged Victoria to develop exit strategies for the project due to financial concerns.
- Victoria plans to fund the SRL East thru a combination of federal contributions, state funds, and “value capture.”
“If we’ve got tunnel boring machines which have gone six kilometers underground then we can hardly fill it back in,” Guy stated. he added, “The project will then proceed, there’s no doubt about it – we’ll have to make sure it’s managed appropriately and unlike every other major project, it’s managed on time and under budget.”
This marks a significant shift, as the upcoming election campaign will likely not be dominated by debates over weather the project will proceed at all, a departure from the 2014 election cycle.
Suburban Rail Loop Minister Harriet shing welcomed the opposition’s confirmation. “I think that is something people should take a measure of comfort on, in consistency and on a project that the city needs and that people have actually endorsed four times in a row when they’ve headed to the polls,” she said.
Opposition transport spokesman Matthew Battin confirmed that if the government hasn’t withdrawn from the project by December, when the tunnel boring machines are due to arrive, the Liberals would proceed. “we will review it and every step of the contract we’ll have a look at to see if we can save Victorians money,” Battin stated.
However, Battin also cast doubt on whether tunneling would actually commence before the next election. “Let’s wait and see what happens when it comes to boring machines and if the government can get anything on time,” he said. “But if there are two holes in the ground and the boring machines have started, we will go through the process and I guarantee you we will manage that project better.”
Public Transport Users Association spokesperson Daniel Bowen suggested the opposition’s commitment offers some project certainty, provided tunneling commences. “Whoever wins that election, they are going to need to take care to keep the costs under control, look for opportunities to improve the design and get on and deliver it,” he commented. “It has gone through two elections and it’s not unreasonable for labor to push ahead with it, but they do need to make sure the budget is kept under control.” Bowen also emphasized the need to plan for SRL North to realize the full benefits of the project.
