The rail line between Bendigo and Kyneton will receive an upgrade and Harcourt Railway Station will re-open if a Labor government is re-elected.
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Premier Daniel Andrews was in Bendigo on Friday to make these announcements as part of stage 3 of the Bendigo Metro project.
The announcement follows a promise of $49.6 million funding from the Labour government to build new train stations at Goornong, Raywood and Huntly if re-elected.
The government predicted the project could create up to 150 jobs during construction.
Public Transport Minister and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said planning works would start immediately in 2019 if the government was re-elected.
Ms Allan said upgrades to the track between Bendigo and Kyneton would deliver trains every 40 minutes to Melbourne.
Ms Allan said planning work for Raywood station would begin in Raywood in 2019, Goornong in 2020 and Huntly in 2022.
Liberal Candidate for Bendigo East Ian Ellis said the promises sounded good, but called for Labor to “show us the money” for the promised works.
He asked why the government had not carried out the works announced during their current term if they had the money.
Read more: Extra train services in Bendigo Metro plan
Mr Ellis called for the government to fix existing rail lines before embarking on new projects.
“More rail traffic on lines that experience delays on a regular basis is only going to increase in delays unless bottlenecks are removed!” he said.
“There has been little effort by this Government to address known issues around the State, not just rail.
“Roads in Regional areas are in possibly the worst condition that I have ever seen, and that is primarily due to cuts in finance to VicRoads and Local Government, as in Councils, for road maintenance.”
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Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
