A Melbourne Airport spokesman has responded to the government’s shifting of blame over the rail line to Tullamarine.
Unveiling his 10th state budget on Tuesday, Treasurer Tim Pallas revealed Melbourne Airport Rail will be completed at least four years later than its original target of 2029.
Early construction on the mega rail project began in 2022 but has stalled as the government and airport stand-off over whether the Tullamarine station should be elevated or underground.
Pallas said the airport had not indicated it was prepared to drop its demands for compensation and an underground station.
The Melbourne Airport Rail project will be delayed by at least four years.Credit: Pat Scala
“We basically are not in a position to have any certainty of what stage this project proceeds,” Pallas said.
A Melbourne Airport spokesman said the timing had always been a matter for government.
“Melbourne Airport was part of a consortium that offered up to $7 billion towards an underground airport station and express tracks from Sunshine,” he said.
“The state government rejected this.”
Budget papers show infrastructure spending is projected to fall from its peak of $24 billion this financial year to $15.6 billion by 2027/28.
With AAP