CONSTANCE RIVERA | Grievances | CONTACT
In a remarkably familiar announcement, the Victorian Government has once again assured the public that construction on the long-promised Melbourne Airport Rail will begin next year.
Premier Jacinta Allan made the declaration this morning at a press conference at Tullamarine Airport, standing at a podium adorned with glossy renders of futuristic trains.
“This is a game-changer,” Allan said, pointing to an artist’s impression of a sleek railway cutting through Melbourne’s north-west. “We are finally delivering an airport rail link for Victorians.”
Her words echoed those of her predecessors, all of whom, without fail, have promised that construction would begin “next year.” An airport rail link has been on the cards since the opening of Tullamarine Airport in 1970, back when Sir Henry Bolte was Premier.
Melburnian Greg Matthews (64) says he’s heard it all before.
“When I was in primary school, they said we’d have a train to Tullamarine by the time I finished high school,” he said. “Now I’ve got grandkids, and I’m still taking the SkyBus.”
“Even Perth has a bloody train line to the airport!” Greg grumbled.
Despite the scepticism, the government insists the project is moving forward, pending another feasibility study, business case, and extensive round of ‘community consultation.’
“We’re committed to delivering this vital infrastructure,” Allan reassured, before quickly dodging a journalist’s question about an exact completion date.
