By XAVIER SMERDON
MORE than 2000 extra trucks could pass through Truganina every day with a major project making it to the Baillieu Government’s list of projects they want funded by the Federal Government.
Premier Ted Baillieu unveiled his 2011 Infrastructure Australia priority list last week which gave a detailed summary of projects needed to fix the state’s infrastructure backlog.
The list was presented to the Federal Government’s advisory body, Infrastructure Australia, who will pass on their recommendations about which projects should be funded to the Gillard Government.
Among the requests on the list is $10 million for a new truck-to-rail freight interchange in Truganina.
The submission said that the project would support projected growth in interstate rail freight and improve productivity through lower distribution costs.
“The Dynon Rail Precinct generates over 2000 truck movements per day on roads and highways in inner Melbourne. The development of a new Western Terminal will remove these movements from the Port/Dynon area,” the submission said.
“These elements are essential complements to the ports strategy and will inform a strategic freight framework for the Avalon corridor.”
Also high up on the wish list is the Avalon Airport Rail Link, a project previously flagged by the Brumby Government.
Mr Baillieu said the rail link would help develop the airport into Victoria’s second major international and domestic airport.
“The Avalon Rail Link will benefit Geelong and south western Victoria by increasing jobs and investment opportunities, improving goods and services supply chains, improving accessibility to national and international markets and supporting inbound tourism,” Mr Baillieu said.
“Victoria has learnt from the lessons of the past and we know it is important to plan and build the rail link early in the development of this area to get the best value for money outcome.”
The submission also resurrected the Westlink project, a tunnel and freeway that would connect the Western Ring Rd in Sunshine to the Eastern Freeway in Clifton Hill.
But Greens representative for the Western Suburbs, Colleen Hartland, dismissed the project as a “lemon”.
“The community opposes it, it’s not value for money and it won’t address traffic congestion as building bigger roads encourages more traffic,” Ms Hartland said.
