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| Victorian Big Build | |
|---|---|
| Name | Victorian Big Build |
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), Australia |
| Type | Infrastructure program |
| Established | 2014 |
| Governing body | Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance |
Victorian Big Build is a large-scale infrastructure program initiated in Victoria (Australia) focused on transport, road, rail, and public works across Melbourne, regional Victoria (Australia), and intercity corridors. The program consolidates projects managed by agencies such as the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, and Head, Transport for Victoria into a coordinated delivery framework. It aims to integrate rail upgrades, roadworks, station rebuilds, level crossing removals and major projects to improve capacity, safety and connectivity across metropolitan and regional networks.
The initiative brings together initiatives previously managed by entities including VicRoads, Public Transport Victoria, Level Crossing Removal Project, and Infrastructure Victoria under the oversight of the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority and the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance. It aligns with strategic plans such as the Victorian Transport Integration Act 2010 and policy instruments influenced by studies from Infrastructure Australia and advisory input from consultants like Arup, KPMG, GHD, and AECOM. High-profile political figures associated with the program include premiers Daniel Andrews (politician), ministers from the Andrews Ministry, and local MPs representing electorates across Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo.
Key components encompass the Level Crossing Removal Project, the Metro Tunnel (Melbourne), regional rail upgrades such as the Regional Rail Revival, road projects including the North East Link, and airport access initiatives tied to Melbourne Airport. Station and precinct transformations reference work at Flinders Street railway station, Southern Cross railway station, Caulfield railway station, Sunshine (V/Line) station, Geelong railway station, and regional hubs in Ballarat railway station and Bendigo railway station. Works also intersect with major crossings and corridors: the Monash Freeway, West Gate Freeway, Tullamarine Freeway, Princes Freeway, and freight links like the North East line. Contractors and consortia involved include John Holland Group, Lendlease, CPB Contractors, Ferrovial, Laing O'Rourke, and Acciona.
Planning processes reference statutory frameworks such as the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Victoria) and approvals involving Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal matters. Funding mechanisms combine state appropriations from the Victorian Budget, Commonwealth contributions under agreements with Australian Government (Commonwealth of Australia), and funding instruments considered by Infrastructure Australia and the Productivity Commission. Governance draws on oversight by the Victorian Auditor-General's Office, parliamentary committees including the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (Victoria), and project assurance by private advisory bodies such as KPMG and Deloitte.
Proponents cite benefits to commuter capacity on lines serving Sunbury railway line, Cranbourne-Pakenham line, Frankston line, and regional services to Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, and Warrnambool. Studies by economic groups, including reports from Infrastructure Victoria, Australian Bureau of Statistics, and private consultancies like PwC, project job creation across construction, engineering and professional services involving firms such as WSP Global and Jacobs Engineering Group. Social outcomes reference improved access to employment precincts such as Melbourne CBD, Docklands (Melbourne), Sunshine (suburb), and the La Trobe University precincts, plus links to health services at Royal Melbourne Hospital and The Alfred Hospital.
Environmental approvals have engaged agencies such as the Environment Protection Authority Victoria and heritage bodies like Heritage Council of Victoria in matters affecting precincts including Flinders Street railway station and historic corridors near Yarra River. Environmental impact assessments reference biodiversity, waterways and air quality considerations overseen partly through instruments used by Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 processes when Commonwealth matters are involved. Conservation stakeholders include local groups like Friends of the Earth (Melbourne), heritage advocates such as National Trust of Australia (Victoria), and academic contributors from institutions like University of Melbourne and Monash University.
Major milestones include commencement of the consolidated delivery model in 2014, completion of numerous level crossing removals across Melbourne suburbs by the late 2010s, stage completions of the Metro Tunnel (Melbourne), progress on the North East Link procurement, and rollout phases of the Regional Rail Revival. Rolling stock and signaling upgrades reference orders and contracts involving Avenir Consortium, fleet suppliers and technology partners engaged with projects for PTV (Public Transport Victoria) services.
Critiques stem from scrutiny by the Victorian Auditor-General's Office, debates in the Parliament of Victoria, media outlets including The Age, Herald Sun, and policy analysis from think tanks such as the Grattan Institute and Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Issues raised include cost overruns, procurement disputes involving major contractors like John Holland Group and CPB Contractors, heritage impacts near Flinders Street railway station, local disruption in suburbs along the Cranbourne-Pakenham line and community activism by groups including Save Our Suburbs and Protectors of Public Land (Victoria). Legal challenges and planning appeals have proceeded through bodies like the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and federal review in matters invoking the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Category:Infrastructure in Victoria (Australia)