And this is very good news for all those who were advocating for rail links to Melbourne’s airports as newly elected Baillieu has promised to “start developing airport rail links to Tullamarine and Avalon Airports straight away” if he wins the election.

The links are key elements of a $1.4 billion transport plan that includes 40 new trains - seven in a first term and 33 in a second term.

Baillieu has promised to spend $50 million on kick-starting the Avalon airport rail link project, which has an estimated total cost of $250 million. The initial $50 million would cover planning, land acquisition and preliminary works to the new single line track. The project will require an additional contribution of $200 million, to be split between the state government, the Commonwealth and the airport. The first trains could come to Avalon airport by 2016 or 2017.

“A Liberal Nationals Government will also commit $6.5 million in its first term to plan the new rail link with a preferred option of a centrally-located terminal at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport”, Baillieu said before the elecetion.

According to the official Coalition policy, the plan will allow for airport trains to start from Flinders Street station and stop at Southern Cross, with the option of stopping at North Melbourne station to allow easy transfers between other Metro trains, trams and buses. Melbourne Airport could be included in Zone 2 to lower the cost of travelling by public transport.

Planning for the new Melbourne Airport rail link will be overseen by the Coalition’s Victorian Public Transport Development Authority.

“If we want to be serious about developing tourism and infrastructure in Victoria, then we need to be serious about building for the future. That is why we are providing this rail link to Avalon Airport and it is also why we are beginning the planning for a rail link to Melbourne Airport,” Baillieu said.

Baillieu also promised to establish a high-speed rail "advocacy unit" to push for the construction of high-speed rail between Melbourne and Sydney, and other capital cities. He pledged to spend $4 million in his first term of government setting up the high-speed rail unit.

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