Final boarding call for Melbourne Airport
Moonee Valley Mayor, Cr Pierce Tyson, has called on Melbourne Airport to meet its social responsibility and immediately get on board with the building of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
Mayor Tyson’s call comes after Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King today reaffirmed $5 billion in federal funding towards the construction of the long-awaited rail link, following a review of national infrastructure projects.
The airport rail link includes the much-needed Airport West/Keilor East train station, which was announced by the Victorian Government, then delayed due to the Federal Government review. Securing a commitment to the train station was a major victory for Council which has advocated for the stop for several years.
“We welcome Minister King’s announcement today”, Mayor Tyson said.
“We’ve been told over the last few months that we just need to let this review take its course and that’s what we’ve done. We are delighted the Federal Government remains committed to this project.”
“If recent reports are accurate it appears Melbourne Airport may be the only barrier in place for this critical project to proceed. If this is the case, then we urge Melbourne Airport to get on board.”
We anticipate Melbourne Airport will be approved for a third runway which means even more pressure will be put onto existing networks to transport people to and from the airport.
“The airport has $1 billion a year in revenue and $150 million in profit in this last financial year,” Mayor Tyson said.
Airports are public utilities – this is a private company that profits off the Victorian community. Moonee Valley Council’s revenue base is one fifth of Melbourne Airport, yet we provide services cradle to grave. Melbourne Airport needs to think about the community and their neighbours who supply the workforce for the airport.
“The least we can expect from Melbourne airport is for them to deliver back to our community.”
Mayor Tyson said the City of Moonee Valley was home to one of the highest proportions of airport and transport workers in the country, and the rail link would make a life-changing difference to them as well as Moonee Valley residents who wanted to travel to the city.
“The Airport West and Keilor East community is around 12 kilometres from the city, yet it is the black spot in the radius around the city,” Mayor Tyson said.
“There are 2000 students from neighbouring schools – Penleigh and Essendon Grammar (PEGS), and East Keilor College – that would get on that train tomorrow if it were built. It is going to make a huge difference.”
Mayor Tyson said Council knows the station at Airport West/Keilor East will be a project of state significance and we are keen to ensure our community can maximise the benefits of this opportunity.
Long-term, the rail link would also help to mitigate the significant congestion that would build on the Tullamarine and Monash freeways from people getting to the airport, either via car or bus.
Mayor Tyson said the Moonee Valley community did not need a report commissioned to know that continuing with the Airport Rail project including the Airport West/Keilor East Station was the right thing to do.
“It’s great to see the Federal Government now knows what we already knew. Now we call on Melbourne Airport to cease petty squabbles about their station location so local, Victorian, national and international visitors can enjoy a world class rail trip to the airport via a new Airport West/Keilor East station.”
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Jo Roberts, Team Leader Media and Strategic Communications
Mobile 0437 641 392; Email: media@mvcc.vic.gov.au