Alan Tudge MP, Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population today expanded on the Federal Government’s Population Plan at an event hosted by the Property Council of Australia.
The Minister identified the need to make regional cities more accessible and laid out the Government’s Plan “to build more congestion-busting infrastructure and fast rail to our regional cities to support decentralisation.”
Specifically, the Minister confirmed the Government’s $2 billion commitment towards fast rail between Melbourne and Geelong as well as an additional $5 billion to deliver the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
Funding for these projects aligns with the Property Council’s 2019 Federal Policy Platform that calls for the strengthening of City Deals as an economic development tool for a city region supported by all levels of government.
In response to the announcement Cressida Wall, Property Council Victorian Executive Director said “We commend the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to City Deals. Our emerging regional cities present great opportunities for Victorians and the infrastructure planning that has been announced will help unlock that. Melbourne would also benefit from the City Deal approach. We encourage the Federal Government to consider the benefits that a City Deal would bring to Australia’s fastest growing capital city.”
