THE political pre-election promises for Frankston have kicked off ahead of the 2 July federal election with Labor pledging to contribute $1.5 million in funding for a business case for the full duplication and electrification of the rail line from Frankston to Baxter.
The long-mooted project, put on the backburner by successive governments at a federal and state level for decades, has been resurrected as a goer by the Labor state government as part of the $63 million redevelopment of Frankston train station and its surrounds.
Former deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese, federal Labor Transport and Infrastructure spokesman, visited Frankston last Thursday (5 May) to announce Labor will pitch in the $1.5 million if elected.
“This vital project will be a game-changer for the whole region, and will entrench Frankston’s position as a new centre for jobs and growth,” Mr Albanese said.
“The project will enhance access to services, jobs and opportunities for the residents of Frankston South, Langwarrin and Baxter, and support wider regional growth.
“It will build on the Frankston Station upgrade to unlock development potential and support the growth of key local institutions such as Monash University peninsula campus.”
Frankston Council has been pushing for several years for government funding for a business case to electrify the Stony Point line to Baxter from Frankston.
A request for $1.5 million in funding for a business case was one of the priorities council identified for Frankston as part of its Speak Up For Frankston advocacy campaign before the 2014 state election.
Commuters from the peninsula to Melbourne could park cars and board trains at Baxter instead of driving to Frankston train station easing passenger congestion and pressure on car parking spaces around Frankston train station.
A full business case would mean the Baxter electrification project, a strategic goal of Public Transport Victoria, could be referred to Infrastructure Victoria for approval as a major project.
The costly project would take about 10-15 years to complete.
