On May 18, the Victorian Government announced a $2.7 billion Building Works package to drive major transport investment as part of the state’s COVID-19 economic recovery.
The package will create 3,700 direct jobs, while supporting thousands more across the state’s supply chains.
The Victorian Government will invest $12.8 million to support commercial operators in Victoria, as well as a $328 million investment into roads, public transport, jetties and piers, with critical maintenance and upgrades.
“Thousands more jobs will be created across our supply chains, including manufacturing, logistics, transportation, warehousing and retail – while also pumping extra dollars back into our economy,” the state government said in a statement.
“Building Works includes hundreds of projects that have been selected because they can get underway as soon as possible, meaning shovels in the ground – and boots in the mud.”
More than $90 million will be invested to upgrade and replace sleepers, structures and signalling across Victoria’s regional rail network.
“As part of the funding, an additional 300kms of sleepers and ballast will be renewed for more reliable and smoother regional train services and more efficient movement of freight,” the Department of Transport said in a statement.
“This is about jobs and building infrastructure that we need: small projects, projects that can be delivered quickly that are not going to sit around being designed and planned for years,” Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said.
“We’re ready to go with this and it’ll be great.”
Last month, Victoria committed $1.7 billion to its “Economic Survival Package”, aimed at helping businesses through the worst of the coronavirus crisis – with tax refunds, grants for businesses and opportunities for workers to get back into jobs.