ARA 2009 Budget Press Release

[ozbob]

http://www.ara.net.au/site/index.php

ARA PRESS RELEASE
12 May 2009

Federal Government Provides a Long Awaited Major Injection for Urban Passenger Rail

The rail industry welcomes the Federal government investment of $4.6 billion on rail
infrastructure projects, as announced today by Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan.

?With tonight?s announcement, the government once more recognises the vital role that
rail plays in Australia?s economy, and especially in making our cities more liveable,
efficient and accessible.? said Bryan Nye, CEO of the Australasian Railway Association
(ARA).

Maximising urban rail?s capacity and productivity will lead to high economic and
environmental benefits for Australia.

Key rail investment projects in the States include:

? Victorian Regional Rail Express - $3.2 billion to provide a new rail line from
Werribee to Southern Cross station in Melbourne CBD.

? Melbourne East West Rail Tunnel linking Footscray with the CBD - $40 million
for pre-construction work ahead of construction commencing in 2011-12.

? South Australia Gawler rail line modernisation and Noarlunga to Seaford rail
extension - $585million and $61million to extend O-Bahn track in Adelaide.

? Queensland Gold Coast light rail - $365 million and $20Million for planning
study into potential new corridors in Brisbane.

? $236 million towards the central city section of the Perth to Fremantle rail line

? $91 million for detailed design work of the Sydney West Metro - a new
25 kilometre rail line from Central Station to Westmead Hospital.

?Projects like the Victorian Regional Rail Express are highly critical to the
transformation of rail to provide extensive people movement capacity for the betterment
of our societies? said Mr Nye.

?This is a crucial time for Australia, and the government has done the right thing by
ensuring Rail is part of the solution to the challenges we face today. We now need the
Australian Government to set up a National Infrastructure Coordinator with powers over
the State and local governments to ensure the projects are rapidly implemented. We can
no longer afford the delays caused by the myriad of planning approvals and delays at
local levels.? concluded Mr Nye.

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