List of proposed Melbourne rail extensions

In Melbourne's train system several new train lines, electrification of existing lines, extensions to existing lines, and new stations on existing lines, have been proposed by various groups. Some of these plans were so seriously considered at various times that they appeared in the Melway street directory, [cite web
url=http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p165344.htm#165344
title=Railpage Australia Forums - Discussion on the 1979 Melway street directory
accessdate=2007-07-30] and on suburban train destination rolls. [cite web
url=http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=suburban&section=destoroll
title=Vicsig - Destination Rolls
accessdate=2007-07-30] As of November 2006 a number of these plans continue to be discussed by the Department of Infrastructure, local councils, and State political parties.

Proposals

Some of these proposals include:

Inner city

North South Rail Tunnel

* On 2nd April 2008 Sir Rod Eddington released his "Investing in Transport - East West Needs Assessment" report. It features a proposed 17km long tunnel starting from West Footscray station running via the Parkville precinct, under Swanston Street, St Kilda Road, and Dandenong Road to Caulfield. Sunbury, Pakenham and Cranbourne line trains would run through it.

* A 2007 proposal by the State Government involves connecting one of Craigieburn or Sydenham lines through to one of the Caulfield group of lines. [cite web
url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/underground-revolution--2bn-secret-railway-plan-exclusive/2007/01/27/1169788746125.html
title=Underground revolution - $2bn secret railway plan
date=January 28, 2007
work=The Age
accessdate=2007-09-30] [cite web
url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/new-rail-tunnel-proposal-gains-momentum/2007/08/15/1186857593773.html
title=New rail tunnel proposal gains momentum
date=August 16, 2007
work=The Age
accessdate=2007-09-30]

*A proposal suggested by the Melbourne City Council in 2005 is to build an underground rail line, the "North South Rail Tunnel Metropolitan", through the inner city of Melbourne. [ [http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Transport/att1mts.pdf Melbourne Future Transport Options, Final Report] : Professor Graham Currie, Institute of Transport Studies, Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University] [cite web
url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/council-proposes-underground-train-line/2006/07/19/1153166455609.html
title=Council proposes underground train line
work=The Age
accessdate=2007-09-30] This tunnel would run from Jewell in Brunswick, and possibly Newmarket and/or the proposed Doncaster line as well, through to Windsor station, stopping at new stations at Parkville at Melbourne University, Melbourne Central, Flinders Street and a new Domain station to the south. As well as providing train transport to these new areas the proposed line would greatly speed travellers running north-south through the CBD - the same journey by tram takes 36 minutes. [http://jp.metlinkmelbourne.com.au Metlink Journey Planner, Origin: 19-Brunswick Rd/Sydney Rd, Destination: 20-Domain Interchange/St Kilda Rd ] The proposal also suggests the possibility of linking the Caulfield group of lines to this tunnel.

Western suburbs

Werribee line

*Two new stations on the Werribee line have been proposed: one between Werribee and Hoppers Crossing at Derrimut Road, and another between Hoppers Crossing and Aircraft to serve Point Cook residents. The current Government's 'Meeting Our Transport Challenges' plan has construction of Point Cook station occurring after 2008.cite web | url = http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/1897f4a8e492b9bfca25716b00277abc/$FILE/MOTC_Action03_Factsheet.pdf
title = MEETING OUR TRANSPORT CHALLENGES - 'BOOSTING MELBOURNE’S RAIL NETWORK' - March 2006 | accessdate = 2007-07-30]

*A branch line from Laverton towards Tarneit and surrounding suburbs. The current State Government 'Secure Reservations for Major Transport Corridors Project' has resulted in the reservation of land for a 'public transport link'.cite web
url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/d4a39a1fec16fbc5ca25716b00278717/$FILE/MOTC_Action09_Factsheet.pdf
title='BOOSTING MELBOURNE’S RAIL NETWORK' - March 2006
work=MEETING OUR TRANSPORT CHALLENGES
accessdate=2007-07-30]

*Reopening Werribee Racecourse railway station for special events. The platform is still in reasonably good condition.Fact|date=July 2007

*Sir Rod Eddington's Investing in Transport - East West Needs Assessment report also recommends a rail line from West Werribee to Sunshine (the non-electrified Tarneit link).

Melton line

*Electrifying part or all of the Melton greater metropolitan line, creating new train stations at Deer Park West and Caroline Springs, as well as a potential new station at Toolern, south east of Melton Township.Fact|date=July 2007

Sydenham Line

*Extension of the Sydenham line electrification to Sunbury station. Proposed as far back as 1969, during October 2007 it was announced that design work on the project would commence, [cite web
url=http://www.tenders.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/eTenders/etdrPublishing.nsf/ContractsByAgency/BA9DD04B8D06ED24CA2573670026984E?OpenDocument
title=Sunbury Electrification project Track Civil and Signalling design
publisher=Department of Infrastructure
accessdate=2008-05-21] the project also being recommended in Sir Rod Eddington's East West Link Needs Assessment report released in 2008. [cite web
url=http://210.15.220.118/east_west_report/East-West-FactSheet-03.pdf
title=Strategies and plans - East West Link Needs Assessment final report - Extension of the suburban network to Sunbury
publisher=www.doi.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-05-21]

Northern suburbs

Melbourne Airport line

*A rail link to the Melbourne Airport, branching off either the Albion-Jacana freight line or the Broadmeadows line. [cite web
url=http://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/ebfd7a9e83f839b34a2568110023b2e3/c9213e3ca3851c8a4a256a280078f4b9!OpenDocument&Click=
title=STRONG SUPPORT FOR AIRPORT TRANSIT LINK
date=April 6, 2001
work=DoI media release
accessdate=2007-07-30]

Albion-Jacana line

*Electrifiying the current Albion-Jacana freight line. Stations would be built at Sunshine North, Keilor East, Westfield Shoppingtown Airport West and Gowanbrae. A branch line from this could go to Melbourne Airport.Fact|date=July 2007

Craigieburn line

The line between Broadmeadows and Craigieburn has been electrified to become the Craigieburn line, with services beginning on 30 September 2007. New stations also proposed for this extension but built as part of the electrification are Patullos station at Patullos Lane, and Coolaroo station at Pascoe Vale Road. During the 2006 State Election campaign, the Government promised to build Coolaroo Station by 2010.cite web
url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/Doi/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/7475D912FB2103D4CA25725F001109BD?OpenDocument
title=DoI - New metropolitan railway stations
accessdate=2007-09-30]

Upfield line

*The construction of a branch line was proposed between Flemington Bridge Station and Pascoe Vale Station in the early 1890's as a means of reducing Melbourne's rising unemployment rate. Three station were planned, tentatively named Bent Town, Munroville and La Rose. [Coburg Historical Society Newsletter, No 49, June 1997]
*A spur line branching from the Upfield line along the former Inner Circle rail easement to Princess Park, was proposed by the Public Transport Users Association in 1991, primarily as a means of transporting sports fans to the football ground. [Greening Melbourne with Public Transport, Public Transport Users Association, 1991]

North-eastern suburbs

Epping line

*An extension of the Epping line to South Morang, along the alignment of the former Whittlesea Line. The current State Government 'Meeting Our Transport Challenges' plan has this occurring between 2016 and 2021.cite web
url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/1897f4a8e492b9bfca25716b00277abc/$FILE/MOTC_Action03_Factsheet.pdf
title='BOOSTING MELBOURNE’S RAIL NETWORK' - March 2006
work=MEETING OUR TRANSPORT CHALLENGES
accessdate=2007-07-30] This is despite the State Labor Party originally promising in 1999 to construct the line in their first term of government. [ [http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/smra/web/keyfacts.html South Morang Rail Alliance - History of the State Government's broken promise] ]

*A second Epping line extension being considered is to the developing Aurora Estate. It may branch off at Lalor, and pass Epping Plaza & Epping North. [cite web
url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/general/waiting-for-the-train-that-never-came/2005/10/23/1130006005225.html
title=Waiting for the train that never came
date=October 24, 2005
work=The Age
accessdate=2007-07-30] The State Government's 'Secure Reservations for Major Transport Corridors Project' has resulted in the alignment for this link being protected.cite web
url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/d4a39a1fec16fbc5ca25716b00278717/$FILE/MOTC_Action09_Factsheet.pdf
title='BOOSTING MELBOURNE’S RAIL NETWORK' - March 2006
work=MEETING OUR TRANSPORT CHALLENGES
accessdate=2007-07-30]

Hurstbridge line

*An extension of the Hurstbridge line to East Reservior, was proposed in the 1950s as a means of opening up the area east of High Street towards Darebin creek for residential development. The proposed route was a branch line from Alphington station to East Reservior. The proposed line consisted of five stations and several bridges which meant that the line would not interfere with any road traffic [http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9830/1950srailplan2dw1.jpg(Route Map)] . The proposed cost was approximately £250,000.Fact|date=September 2008

Eastern suburbs

Doncaster line

Plans for the Doncaster line first emerged in 1969, when "The Age" announced that the Victorian Railways had started detailed planning for the line, which would branch off the Hurstbridge/Epping lines at Victoria Park and run down the Eastern Freeway median strip,cite journal
year = 1998
month = February
title = Whatever Happened to the Proposed Railway to Doncaster East
author = Stephen Cauchi
journal = Newsrail
publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division)
pages = page 41 - 42 ] then to Bulleen Road, Bulleen, where it would travel between houses and proposed tunnels to Doncaster East. [cite web
url=http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p165344.htm#165344
title=Railpage Australia Forums - Discussion on the 1979 Melway street directory
accessdate=2007-07-30]

By 1982 plans to built the line had been shelved by the state government, and by 1984 land for the line once it left the freeway had been sold. More recent proposals have suggested the line would run in a tunnel from Bulleen Road to a station at Doncaster Hill (Shoppingtown), or branch from the proposed Jewell-Windsor line at Parkville station. In this case, an additional station would be built at Carlton before the line reaches the Eastern Freeway.

During the 2006 state election, the Victorian Liberal Party promised to extend the number 48 tram to Doncaster Hill, claiming that constructing the heavy rail line would cost around $1 billion and was deemed too expensive an option. [cite web
url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/10/18/1160850970008.html
title=Rail line would replace 10,000 cars
date=October 18, 2006
work=The Age
accessdate=2007-07-30]

Lilydale line

*Extending the Lilydale line to Coldstream station by electrifying part of the closed Healesville line, [ [http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Files/Lilydale_Healesville_final_report_Nov_2006.pdf Yarra Ranges Council: Lilydale-Healesville 08-11-06 incorporating new trail costs report] ] being first proposed in the 1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan.cite web
url=http://rtsa.com.au/assets/2008/03/rapid-transit-by-l-fouvy.pdf
title=The Melbourne region's opportunity and need for rapid transit
publisher=Railway Technical Society of Australasia
author=C L Fouvy
accessdate=2008-07-18]

*An additional station at Cave Hill, between Mooroolbark and Lilydale. [ [http://www.ptua.org.au/files/2002/PTUA-Its-time-to-move.pdf Public Transport Users Association - Time to Move (2002)] ]

Rowville

*A new line to Rowville has discussed extending from Huntingdale station along North and Wellington Roads to Monash University, Waverley Park and on to Rowville.cite web
url=http://www.knox.vic.gov.au/Files/RowvilleRailStudy.pdf
title= Knox City Council - Rowville Rail Study - 2004
accessdate=2007-07-30]

* A second option to serve the Rowville area is an extension of the Glen Waverley Line to Rowville via Wantirna South.cite web
url=http://www.knox.vic.gov.au/Files/RowvilleRailStudy.pdf
title= Knox City Council - Rowville Rail Study - 2004
accessdate=2007-07-30]

* The 1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan proposed a railway from Huntingdale though Rowville to Ferntree Gully on the Belgrave line.

Alamein line

*Extending the Alamein to Oakleigh, along the old Outer Circle line reservation, primarily to serve Chadstone Shopping Centre. [cite web
url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/chaddy-about-to-get-a-whole-lot-bigger/2005/12/21/1135032080207.html
title=Chaddy about to get a whole lot bigger
date=December 22, 2005
work=The Age
accessdate=2007-07-30]

South-eastern suburbs

Frankston line

*Black Rock railway line, a 1960's proposal, which consisted of a branch line from Moorabbin to Black Rock. There were 4 stations proposed, including stations at Bay St and Cheltenham Road. [cite web |url=http://www.localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/htm/article/372.htm|title=City of Kingston Historical Website - 'Beaumaris Railway Spur'|accessdate=2008-09-15] The proposal was rejected by government despite a petition from over 3,000 local residents.

*Extending the Frankston line to Hastings or Baxter by electrifying part of the Stony Point line, the terminus varying by the proposal. [Grady, NJ (1985). "Electrification - Overhead Line Equipment for the Year 2050". Conference on Railway Engineering 1985]

*Building a station between Highett and Cheltenham on the Frankston line to serve the Southland shopping centre. [cite web
url=http://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/htm/article/72.htm
title=City of Kingston Historical Website - 'Railway Station at Bay Road'
accessdate=2007-07-30] This station is currently the focus of a feasibility study. [cite web
url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/52A1CE46A432E454CA25720A00186696?OpenDocument
title=DoI - Southland public transport improvement options
accessdate=2007-07-30]

Pakenham line

*Re-opening General Motors Station. The platform remains intact and possible names include Doveton or Eumemmerring.Fact|date=July 2007

*Building a new station between Officer and Pakenham on the Pakenham railway line. The State Government 'Meeting our Transport Challenges' strategy lists the new station for construction after 2008, as Cardinia Road station.cite web
url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/1897f4a8e492b9bfca25716b00277abc/$FILE/MOTC_Action03_Factsheet.pdf
title='BOOSTING MELBOURNE’S RAIL NETWORK' - March 2006
work=MEETING OUR TRANSPORT CHALLENGES
accessdate=2007-07-30] According to the edition 33 Melway street directory, the proposed station will be called Lakeside (p215, E6), despite a Lakeside station already existing on the Puffing Billy heritage railway.

Cranbourne line

*Building Lynbrook station between Dandenong and Merinda Park stations on the Cranbourne line. The State Government 'Meeting our Transport Challenges' strategy lists the new station for construction after 2008.cite web
url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/1897f4a8e492b9bfca25716b00277abc/$FILE/MOTC_Action03_Factsheet.pdf
title='BOOSTING MELBOURNE’S RAIL NETWORK' - March 2006
work=MEETING OUR TRANSPORT CHALLENGES
accessdate=2007-07-30]

*Extending the Cranbourne line to Cranbourne East. This extension was first promised in 1999 by the State Government led by Steve Bracks but has since fallen by the wayside. [cite web
url=http://www.casey.vic.gov.au/mediareleases2006/article.asp?Item=7296
title=City of Casey - 'Mayor Briefs State Election Candidates' - 7 September 2006
accessdate=2007-07-30] One proposed location for the new station would be the corner of Berwick-Cranbourne Road and Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road.

Dandenong - Frankston line

* A railway from Dandenong to Frankston was proposed in the 1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan.

Status and future of these proposals

Many of these proposals were created decades ago, and are no longer seriously being considered by transport authorities. Of these, only the Cardinia Road, Coolaroo, Lynbrook and Point Cook stations, and the South Morang line extension are mentioned in the current government's 2006 'Meeting Our Transport Challenges' plans. [http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/7475D912FB2103D4CA25725F001109BD?OpenDocument Department of Infrastructure - New metropolitan railway stations] ]

In the case of South Morang on the Epping Line, both the Department of Infrastructure and the local council have recommended its construction, and development work is being undertaken. This would fulfil a promise by the last Premier, Steve Bracks (who has recently retired, as of mid-2007) upon coming to power in 1999. At the subsequent 2002 election this promise was deferred, with the "Trainlink" bus service discussed below introduced instead. Until recently, this project had been sidelined in favour of the extension of the Broadmeadows line to Craigieburn. The main reason for the delay is the capacity problems on the Epping line (& in turn the Hurstbridge line) mainly related to the various sections of single track. The Meeting our Transport Challenges plan was released by the Government in 2006 and indicates construction could commence between 2016 and 2021.

The Cranbourne East proposal has re-emerged in recent years, and a commercial feasibility study conducted by M>Train, former operator of that half of the city's rail system, found that it should be examined as a long-term project.cite web
url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/80e317bf472115914a256a4d00180ea5/$FILE/TR13-ExistingProjects.pdf
title=PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR EXTENSION OF MELBOURNE’S RAIL AND TRAM NETWORK
date=May 15, 2001
work=DoI media release
accessdate=2007-07-30]

While some of the other proposals here have also come back into the spotlight in recent years, one which might one day be built is the Rowville line. While the Department of Infrastructure does not appear to be taking this seriously at present, the local council has begun a campaign to demand the construction of the line. Mooted routes are from Glen Waverley, tunnelling under residential areas and along the Dandenong Creek valley, or from the Dandenong line near Huntingdale and following the alignment of North and Wellington Roads.cite web
url=http://www.knox.vic.gov.au/Files/RowvilleRailStudy.pdf
title= Knox City Council - Rowville Rail Study - 2004
accessdate=2007-07-30]

As a medium-term solution, the government introduced two "Trainlink" bus routes in late 2003. No. 896 serves estates in Cranbourne East and the other, No. 571, is serving Plenty Valley Shopping Centre, Mill Park North, and South Morang. These link to Cranbourne and Epping stations respectively, connecting with each train arrival and departure, seven days a week, from 4:30am to after 1am. These have recently received State Government funding to continue until mid-2009.

See also

*List of Melbourne railway stations
*List of closed railway stations in Melbourne

References

External links

*Department of Infrastructure - [http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/internet/planningprojects.nsf/AllDocs/813BD23FC87CD17BCA256F4E0018096C?OpenDocument Linking Melbourne: Metropolitan Transport Plan] (November 2004)
*Department of Infrastructure - [http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/planningprojects.nsf/AllDocs/811E3935C65B55D2CA257169001A463A?OpenDocument Meeting our Transport Challenges] (March 2006)
* [http://www.ptua.org.au/publications/real-transport-challenges/ Public Transport Users Association proposals]