Welcome back folks to my first Connolly’s Corner for 2024. 

2023 was a busy year in Victorian politics. We welcomed in a new Premier in Jacinta Allan, who has wasted no time in building upon the monumental legacy of Daniel Andrews. At the national level, we also had a major conversation in the Voice Referendum, the result of which ultimately was not successful. And like many of you, I waited with bated breath on the outcome of a Federal Review of major joint infrastructure projects, which has had significant impacts on our community in Melbourne’s west.   

However, looking forward to the new year, there’s a lot of things that are happening in the State, as our Government wastes no time in getting things done and delivering on our major projects, and it’s time to start talking about them again. 

Just last week, the Premier unveiled the now-complete Arden Station – one of five brand new stations being delivered as part of the Metro Tunnel Project. This tunnel is set to open next year, and when it does, the benefits it will bring for us in the west are huge. Folks on the Sunbury Line will be able to catch a train directly to the South-East via these new stations, with the option of changing at Melbourne Central for the City Loop and Flinders Street Station. For those of us on the Werribee Line, it means you’ll be able to run more services by taking some of the busiest train services on both sides of the Yarra and taking them out of the City Loop – which amounts to an increase of 24% peak capacity or 63,000 extra commuters. 

If you’re living in Brimbank or Maribyrnong, you will have already noticed that we’re now running High-Capacity Metro Trains on the Sunbury Line. This has been possible thanks to the $2.1 billion Sunbury Line upgrade finishing last year, which has set up station platforms and signalling infrastructure on this line in preparation for when these Metro Tunnel services will run. 

When it comes to roads, works are also well underway on the West Gate Tunnel, which is also looking to be complete by next year. This project also has major benefits for commuters in the west, taking 20 minutes off peak-hour commutes and providing an alternative to the West Gate Bridge for getting into the CBD and beyond. For folks living in the outer west in areas like Wyndham and Hobsons Bay, this tunnel will be life-changing once complete, whether you use it or not. 

There’s more to come this year, especially when it comes to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link. Like you, I’m relieved to see that it was given the green light by the Federal Infrastructure Review after months of uncertainty. There are still some issues that need to be ironed out between our Government and privately-run Melbourne Airport, but once they are it will be full-steam ahead. In the meantime, we’ll continue to get on with the job of delivering for our community. 

Stay tuned.