Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Portal Feature

Railway Project Brings Thousands Of Jobs To Region

Upgrade to train services offer employment opportunities for related industries

By Emma Kae - 3rd July 2002 - Back to News

The development of the Regional Fast Rail project is set to provide thousands of jobs to Gippslanders involved in the project. The $115 million improvements to the railway that connects the Latrobe Valley with Melbourne will provide more frequent, reliable and comfortable services that run faster and more efficiently than ever before.

The State Government estimates that the construction of the rail project will create approximately 1100 jobs for the Latrobe Valley section of the line, with employment available for building the infrastructure works, the new trains and the additional communications upgrading.

Victorian Premier, Mr. Steve Bracks spoke of the great benefits the new railway would bring forth once the project had been completed. "This unprecedented boost to regional public transport will drive economic growth right across Victoria, and will make our regional cities even more attractive places to live and work by linking them more closely to Melbourne," he said.

The decision to go ahead with the project, came after detailed feasibility studies which assessed the project's viability. The results indicated that the faster travel times on the new railway would generate increased useage. In addition, it is expected that the railway will also help overcome many of the obstacles of economic growth in regional Victoria by boosting population, heightening tourism, reducing road congestion (benefiting the environment), encouraging new investments and improving job opportunities.

The new railway would deliver express travel times of 70 minutes between Flinders Street station in Melbourne and Moe, (95 minutes to Traralgon) through new trains operating at speeds up to 160km/h – resulting in a huge 18% reduction in time.

Work on the project will commence by November 1st and is scheduled to be completed by mid 2005. The tender was awarded to companies John Holland and Transfield, contractors highly experienced in rail projects in Australia and overseas.

In addition to the railway project, Morwell is expecting an upgrade to it’s transport interchange. In a four-year joint project between the City of Latrobe and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, transport services and Morwell’s CBD will be revitalized and improved. The $800,000 project includes improved subway access and pedestrian crossing, enhanced integration of transport services, redevelopment of the station area, and the relocation of the freight lines.

More information is available from the Department of Infrastructure website

Do you have something to say about the railway project? Join the discussion forum to have your say.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project begins, for safer, more accessible visitor experience from $9.6M shared investment
  Work has begun on the $9.6 million Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged upgrades to create a safer, more accessible, pedestrian-friendly destination while supporting businesses and preserving Cowes' vibrant visitor appeal.
• Forge Theatre's school holiday season brings classic tales, comedy chaos and heartfelt community spirit to East Gippsland
  The Forge Theatre's school holiday season features The Velveteen Rabbit, Polite Mammals, and The Heartbreak Choir, offering family fun, comedy, and heartfelt community spirit with something for everyone to enjoy.
• Stroll among thousands of vibrant roses in full bloom at Morwell's International Rose Garden Festival, 7 - 8 November 2025
  The 2025 Rose Garden Festival features free family fun with blooming gardens, workshops, live performances, markets, aerial theatre, kids' entertainment, and the spectacular AGL Loy Yang Night Light Installation.
• Allan Labor government backs regional footy and netball with $1.5M from 2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program
  The Allan Labor government is investing $1.5 million in Morwell sports clubs through the Country Football and Netball Program, while opening new grants to upgrade regional facilities and boost community participation.
• Labor government delivers $2.73M Sale Hospital upgrade, modernising Community Services building for Gippsland healthcare staff
  The Allan Labor government is delivering a $2.73 million upgrade to Sale Hospital's historic Community Services Building, modernising facilities for healthcare workers, patients, and students through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
• Rokeby to Noojee $4M trail upgrade officially opens, enhancing accessibility, safety, and visitor experience across region
  A $4 million upgrade of the Rokeby to Noojee Trail has officially opened, delivering improved surfaces, facilities, signage and lookouts, with $3 million Victorian government funding and strong community contributions celebrated.
• Gippsland Water invests $550,000 to upgrade Peterkin Street sewer pump station, ensuring reliable wastewater services for Traralgon
  Gippsland Water is investing $550,000 to upgrade Traralgon largest sewer pump station, replacing ageing pipes to ensure reliable wastewater services for 5,200 households. Works are underway and due for completion in September.
• East Gippsland Shire backs $15M Bairnsdale Airport upgrade to boost emergency response and healthcare services regionally
  East Gippsland Shire Council has backed a $15 million Bairnsdale Airport upgrade, extending the runway to boost emergency response, healthcare services, and regional aviation, supported by government funding and health agencies.
• Princes Highway $2M upgrade improves safety and access for pedestrians at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna
  Nearly $2 million in joint government funding will upgrade Princes Highway at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna, improving pedestrian safety, access, and traffic flow with new medians, lighting, safety platforms, and path reconstruction.