Despite widespread objections to the multi-billion dollar East-West Link and calls for the money to be spent on public transport instead, the Victorian freight and logistics plan called 'Victoria – The Freight State' promotes it as the primary solution to the state's freight woes, along with increased allowances for heavy trucks.
Premier Denis Napthine claimed the government had delivered a solid plan to guide and provide certainty for the freight and logistics sector, which generated $19-$23 billion and thousands of jobs for the state economy each year.
"Victoria truly is the freight and logistics capital of Australia. The Port of Melbourne is the nation's largest container and general cargo port while the Port of Geelong and Port of Portland also delivered record trade figures in 2011-12," Dr Napthine said.
"Growing our competitive edge in freight is critical to Victoria's economy. The Coalition Government understands that having access to an efficient freight network is absolutely vital for businesses and jobs that rely on exporting and importing their products.
"This is why the Coalition Government is committed to major infrastructure projects that will improve Victoria's freight network for decades to come: the East West Link, $1.6 billion expansion of the Port of Melbourne and the development of the Port of Hastings.
"We are also committed to the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel, which will free up freight capacity in Victoria's East which will particularly benefit the new international container facility at the Port of Hastings."
However, Dr Napthine declined to give a commitment as to when this rail project would be buit, preferring instead to talk up the East West Link.
Minister for Public Transport and Roads Terry Mulder said: "Victoria – The Freight State incorporates major new East West and orbital road and rail links to support the movement of freight between major gateways and freight generating and consuming areas.
"These new links will also support the progressive decentralisation of heavy freight activities away from the central city area to the periphery of Melbourne, freeing land for redevelopment opportunities in inner areas.
"Another priority within Victoria – The Freight State will be to develop the South East Rail Link (SERL) proposal, which would provide a dedicated rail freight link between Dandenong and Dynon, opening up huge potential for export businesses in Eastern Victoria.
Australasian Railways Association CEO Bryan Nye welcomed the rail-related elements of the plan.
"Of particular note is the progression of investigations into a South Eastern Rail Link (SERL) to provide a dedicated rail corridor for eventual connection to the Port of Hastings.
"This project will lift capacity for both freight and passenger rail, and the rail industry is certainly keen to see this project, and the Melbourne Metro rail tunnel that it is dependent on, get underway," said Mr Nye.
"What was also encouraging to see in the plan was the continuing works to assess the potential of a proposed new rail link between Mildura and Broken Hill – a missing link in the East-West corridor, as well as continuing funding of the Mode Shift Incentive Scheme (MSIS).
"Encouraging modal shift onto rail has economic, social and environmental benefits that far outweighs the cost," said Mr Nye.