Council continues advocating for best transport solutions

Published on 09 November 2021

Council continues to advocate for improved public transport outcomes, including the proposed electrification of the rail line from Frankston Train Station towards the Mornington Peninsula, on behalf of Frankston City residents.

Mayor Kris Bolam said: “Council has been in discussions with both the Federal and Victorian Governments in an effort to find suitable options for progressing the proposed electrification of the rail line.

“We met with the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and separately the Federal Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications to discuss a potential circuit breaker opportunity in progressing this important transport infrastructure project,” the Mayor said.

Mayor Bolam added: “We presented a proposal that would enable a staged delivery approach that would act as a catalyst for a major $400 million private sector development within the Leawarra Station Precinct.”

The Mayor said the Leawarra option will deliver huge benefits including reaching an additional 60,075 residents from Frankston to Langwarrin and creating over 1,489 new jobs during construction.

“Further, it will act as a catalyst for a $425 million private sector development which includes 2,000 commuter car spaces, an additional 4,000 jobs during construction and over 5,000 long term jobs,” the Mayor said.

“We have also briefed the State Minister for Transport Infrastructure, the Hon Jacinta Allan MP, and the State Member for Frankston, Paul Edbrooke MP, on the option to progress the project, seeking their support and commitment to work with the Federal Government.”

With strong support from neighbouring municipalities and key local stakeholders such as Monash University and Chisholm Institute, Mayor Bolam said the Council’s commitment to delivering the best public transport outcomes for residents is unwavering, adding that Council has been strongly advocating for progress on the electrification project for years.

“We’re urging the State and Federal Governments to take responsibility for progressing the project as a priority in whatever form that may take. We’re also calling on the State and Federal Governments to deliver a full business case into this vital project.

“Our ultimate goal is to ensure the $225 million of Federal Government funding committed to the project remains in the Dunkley electorate, which would otherwise be an incredible loss for the community,” the Mayor said.

Mayor Bolam added: “Electric trains operating beyond Frankston towards the Mornington Peninsula aligns with Council’s vision for the prosperous future of Frankston, but ultimately we need state and federal politicians from all sides to work together.”

The Mayor said the project will enable people living further up the line or from the Mornington Peninsula to board faster and more reliable metropolitan rail services at Langwarrin or Baxter and commute directly to Monash University, Frankston Hospital and Frankston Private Hospital, Chisholm TAFE or directly to Melbourne.