Melbourne Secures $152.7 Million to Fast-Track Melton Line Electrification

Melton Line electrification will receive $152.7 million in combined state and federal funding. That funding will prepare Melbourne’s Melton Line for electrification. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The two governments will share the funding equally, according to a federal infrastructure ministerial release. It will cover planning approvals, site investigations, and environmental assessments. It will also cover work to secure power supply for a future electrified line. In addition, the scope includes detailed design and costing with delivery partners.

Melton Line electrification planning scope

Related works are already moving ahead elsewhere on the network. As the Victorian Premier’s office notes, Stage 1 of Melbourne Airport Rail is creating space at Sunshine for electrified track. Additional stabling capacity for metropolitan trains is being built at Cobblebank.

Work is also progressing on the Melton Line Upgrade. By next year, that programme is expected to enable nine-car VLocity trains on the Melton Line. That change will increase passenger capacity by 50 per cent ahead of future electrification.

Melton is currently served only by V/Line trains. The corridor is also shared with long-distance Ballarat services.

VLocity trains and future electric services

Electrification will allow faster, metro-style electric trains to operate along the corridor. It will also enable the regional VLocity fleet to be redeployed to other high-demand lines.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said: “Melton electrification is on the way, which will deliver faster trains for the west, getting families home sooner.”

Victorian Member for Melton Steve McGhie said: “This upgrade will make a real difference to the Melton community – delivering modern stations, longer trains and safer journeys across our community.”

Development works are expected to begin this year. Completion is targeted for mid-2027.

The 2026/27 federal budget will include funding for the development phase. Its results will inform future funding decisions around the project.

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