The state and federal governments are investing $152.7 million (equally funded) in development works to prepare the Melon Line for future electrification.

The funding will finalise designs, scope, and costs by progressing:

Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1 works are already creating space at Sunshine for the electrified track, and additional stabling capacity for metropolitan trains is being built at Cobblebank.

Works on the Melton Line Upgrade, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, are powering ahead and will enable nine-car trains on the Melton Line by next year – boosting capacity by 50 per cent.

Catherine King, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, said the latest funding commitment is vital to informing future project investment decisions on the future Melton Line electrification.

Electrification will enable more trains to run along the Melton corridor and allow the regional VLocity fleet to be redeployed to other high-demand corridors.

Development works are expected to begin this year and be completed in mid-2027, with this phase of work to also inform future funding decisions regarding construction of the electrification project.

Melton is the fastest-growing community in Australia. Federal Member for Hawke Sam Rae said it’s important to keep investing in and delivering the infrastructure that’ll get people to work and home to their families.

“This will be a game changer for our growing western suburbs – unlocking capacity to deliver reliable and frequent train services,” said Victorian Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch.

Funding for this project will be reflected in the 2026-27 Federal Budget.