But no further documents were forthcoming, putting in doubt the project’s financial viability given federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has said the $9.3 billion sought, in addition to the $2.2 billion already committed, would be contingent on working with the agency.
If approved, the first phase of the SRL alone would account for 10 per cent of the 10-year federal Infrastructure Investment Program and likely require other projects be delayed or axed to maintain the existing funding envelope.
It is the only project in the program, which comprises several hundred road and rail projects, where the total cost and the Australian government’s share of the total cost is simply marked as “TBC” on official documents.
“While Infrastructure Australia has had several additional discussions with the [Suburban Rail Loop Authority] since this time, no further material has been provided to Infrastructure Australia to allow us to start our evaluation process,” the agency said in response to a freedom of information request.
“For this reason, Infrastructure Australia has not created a draft or final review, report or other output into the SRL project.”
This was despite now Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan writing to Ms King in March 2023 reiterating calls for the additional money.
“As discussed previously, the Suburban Rail Loop East is a high priority of Victoria for Commonwealth funding support,” Ms Allan said in the letter obtained under freedom of information by The Australian Financial Review.
“As you are aware, the Victoria [sic] seeks Commonwealth support for one-third of the total cost of the SRL East (an additional $9.3 billion towards the $11.5 billion one-third contribution), noting that the delivery of this nationally significant project will occur between now and 2035.”
Extract from AFR
