Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell MP has welcomed the arrival of promised extra Shepparton train services from August 23.
“The nine return weekday services were a part of the infrastructure package the federal Coalition government signed up to in 2020,” Mr Birrell said.
“At the time, the commitment $320 million, 80 percent of the funding, was critical in getting the track works, signalling upgrades and yarding needed to operate high frequency daily services to and from Melbourne.”
Mr Birrell applauded the strong community led campaign for better rail services which had a significant impact.
“It then requires state and federal governments to respond, and the Nationals delivered as part of a federal Coalition government,” Mr Birrell said.
“Providing 80 per cent of the funding made the project more attractive as a partnership with the Victorian government, that’s how you get regional infrastructure built.”
Mr Birrell said the Albanese Labor government operates on a 50/50 funding split with states which makes it more difficult to get major regional infrastructure projects off the ground.
“Under Labor there is a backlog of regional projects simply because the Victorian government won’t prioritise them or commit funding.”