Motorists will be able to travel toll-free along the $890 million Scoresby Freeway linking Ringwood, Dandenong and Frankston from mid-2008.
Construction should begin in 2002, subject to Victoria advancing the planning processes.
The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming the Federal Government’s requirement that each government contribute to the construction of the Scoresby Freeway on a 50:50 basis.
The Commonwealth will be contributing $445m.
In the May Budget the Commonwealth allocated $220m over five years towards the construction of the freeway. The balance of Commonwealth funds of around $225m will be provided over the financial years 2005-06 to 2007-08.
Labor in Victoria has engaged in political posturing over the Scoresby Freeway, involving meaningless pledges and “cardboard promises” that have only served to confuse the public and create uncertainty.
It should not be forgotten that Labor went into the last State election opposing the Scoresby Freeway.
The Scoresby Freeway between Ringwood and Frankston will deliver major national economic benefits and will be a catalyst for industrial and commercial development.
The new freeway will provide better links from major industrial areas along the Scoresby Corridor to ports, airports and other major freight routes. More than 350,000 jobs – representing 28 per cent of Melbourne’s total workforce – are located in the Scoresby Transport Corridor.
9 October 2001