The Victorian Government has released its 2011 Infrastructure Australia priority list, outlining a  platform to begin addressing Victoria's infrastructure backlog.

 

Premier Ted Baillieu said the Infrastructure Australia priority list was part of the State Government's broader infrastructure agenda and included city-shaping projects that  aims to drive productivity growth and enhance Victoria's liveability.

 

"The Coalition Government has reviewed and enhanced the East West Link project to include a new stage that would connect the Eastern Freeway to CityLink and connect CityLink to the Port of Melbourne as well as the connection between the Port of Melbourne to the Western Ring Road," Mr Baillieu said.

 

"The new East West Link is a once in a generation project that would transform the way people move around Melbourne in a way not seen since CityLink and the City Rail Loop were constructed."

 

Mr Baillieu said some of Victoria's existing infrastructure could be significantly upgraded and improved to increase the capacity of the rail network and reduce road congestion.

 

The development of the Port of Hastings has also been included for the first time as a priority infrastructure project, after Mr Baillieu said his government was  committed to developing the Port of Hastings as Victoria's next container port to complement the Port of Melbourne and to relieve bottlenecks and congestion.

 

"In providing an alternative to the Port of Melbourne, the development of the Port of Hastings will generate competition flow-on benefits for the Victorian and national economies," Mr Baillieu said.

 

Victoria's 2011 Infrastructure Australia submission is available to download at www.premier.vic.gov.au