GSEM welcomes review results, calls for Victoria to get its fair share of Federal infrastructure funding
GSEM welcomes federal government's infrastructure policy statement release and the outcomes of the Infrastructure Pipeline Review.
Greater South East Melbourne is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia’s fastest growing city and is one of the country’s most important economic centres.
Greater South East Melbourne has more than 1.5 million people and is expected to grow to close to two million in the next 10 years. The South East Melbourne Region is home to more than 500,000 jobs and 83,500 businesses.
Infrastructure investment has not kept pace with this rapid economic and population growth.
GSEM’s vision is for job creation, job retention, future proofing the community and ensuring liveability and sustainability.
Jobs growth and congestion-busting strategies are needed to keep the region working, moving and thriving. We need investment for local and regional projects.
We support a more strategic and planned approach to transport infrastructure investment outlined in the statement, giving consideration to projects that increase productivity, improve supply chains, and support projects that improve liveability and connectivity.
We acknowledge the change in approach to the funding ratio between the Commonwealth and State governments.
The aim is that this change will allow the Commonwealth to contribute to a greater number of projects across jurisdictions.
We hope this aspiration is realised.
Victoria and the rapidly growing communities of Greater South East Melbourne deserve to get their fair share of infrastructure funding.
We were pleased to see that a number of projects in the South East have been reviewed and will continue as planned. Communities in the South East welcome this certainty.
While we are disappointed for the few projects that will not continue in the region. We look forward to the following projects progressing in our region:
Pakenham Roads Upgrade
Next Generation Rapid Transport for Melbourne’s Southeast
Clyde Road Upgrade
Commuter Car Park Upgrade - Berwick Railway Station
Commuter Car Park Upgrade - Frankston Line – Frankston
Commuter Car Park Upgrade - Pakenham Line – Pakenham and Pakenham East
Monash Freeway Upgrade
Narre Warren North Road Upgrade
GSEM looks forward to working with the Commonwealth and State governments on our key transport infrastructure priorities, including upgrading and extending Thompsons Road to create 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and the Next Generation Rapid Transport for Melbourne’s Southeast.