The lack of clarity surrounding delays to Shepparton’s rail upgrades — including ‘anonymous’ quotes and a refusal to provide a straight answer to requests for an updated timeline — has drawn the ire of a local member for parliament.
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell said he was frustrated and disappointed that the Victorian Government was yet to explain the construction delay on the Shepparton rail upgrade.
“Stage three of the Shepparton Rail Revival includes $320 million of federal money committed by the previous coalition government, which includes upgrades to 59 level crossings to allow V/Locity trains to run faster and more frequently,” Mr Birrell said.
“It’s frustrating for a Federal Government to stump up a significant proportion of the funding for a project that the Victorian Government can’t deliver on time for the benefit of the constituents. According to the original announcements, Shepparton should have these extra services by now.”
In addition, an extra $11 million needed to be found in the recent Federal Government’s budget.
“Not only is the project delayed, but it has also had a cost blowout,” Mr Birrell said.
“Particularly galling is the comment in the media from a ‘government spokesperson’ — it would be nice to have (a) minister put their name to this — that they ‘won’t take lectures from the Liberals and Nationals’. If it wasn’t for the Liberals and Nationals federally there would be no $320 million and no project.”
Mr Birrell said he provided several questions that were put to Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts officials at Senate Estimates following the May budget.
“Rising construction cost, signalling resources and other escalations were cited as reasons for delays as well as a shortage of signalling engineers that had created a number of issues,” Mr Birrell said.
“That advice on cost pressures was provided in March, and the May Victorian Budget listed the completion date for the project as ‘to be advised’, which isn’t good enough.
“It is up to the Victorian Government to be honest with the community about delays and provide a new timeline for when the promised nine return services will be running.”