The Avon River Bridge at Stratford will be replaced by 2021.

 
That was what the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee heard today, when The Nationals Member for Gippsland South and PAEC member, Danny O’Brien, asked Victoria’s Public Transport Minister when she expected the replacement to be completed.
 
“Having repeatedly asked for some important dates around this project since the Commonwealth Government last year announced it would provide $95 million for the project, this answer provides some clarity for local rail passengers,” said The Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.
 
“It is, however, disappointing East Gippsland passengers have had to wait such a long time for this date, and that the Government was forced to reveal the information in this forum.

 

“Labor announced this year it would soon begin running the lighter VLocity carriages on the line to ‘prolong the life of the bridge’ and this gave rail users the impression the bridge would not be replaced in the near future.

 

“The Minister also indicated the old N and Z class train sets would be phased out in favour of upgraded VLocity trains but gave no indication of when this would occur or where funding for it is in the Budget.

 

"What they need to do is commit to matching The Nationals' $630m election pledge to build totally new long-haul train sets for the Bairnsdale line,” Mr Bull said.

 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says the Avon River Bridge at Stratford should be replaced by 2021.