2025/26 State Budget response

Published on 23 May 2025

Melton City Council has welcomed funding for the continuation of two transformational projects, and investment in transport and education in the 2025/26 Victorian Budget.

The State Budget includes $140 million to progress construction on the Melton Hospital, which is due for completion in 2029/30, while $28 million will go towards the delivery of the TAFE due to open in 2028.

New bus routes and the realignment of existing ones will connect passengers to train stations and commercial centres in the City of Melton including our newest estates in Mt Atkinson, Thornhill Park, Aintree, Deanside and Fraser Rise. The budget also committed to the continuation of the Melton South FlexiRide bus service.

Kurunjang Secondary College and Melton South Primary School will receive funding for upgrades, and a new primary school and stage two of the Yarrabing Secondary college will be constructed in Aintree to open in 2027. There is also provision for additional land acquisition and planning for future schools.

Also included in the Budget was funding for the continuation of Melton rail line upgrades, and to commence delivery of the Sunshine Station redevelopment project, which will pave the way for electrification of the Melton rail line, and the Calder Park interchange, partnering with the Australian Government.

Quotes attributable to City of Melton Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi:

“It’s fantastic to see funding for existing projects like Melton Hospital and Melton TAFE, two transformational projects for our community. We look forward to their timely delivery.

“We welcome the investment by the Victorian Government in transport infrastructure, including the upgrades to the Melton rail line, the construction of the Calder Park Interchange and new and realigned bus routes.

“We have been strongly advocating for better transport connectivity for our fast-growing community, and it’s pleasing to see this investment happening.

“It is concerning that there is no mention of the Growing Suburbs Fund within the budget. Council has been successful in receiving over $51 million in funding through this program to date, which has been critical in supporting the timely delivery of projects such as community centres and playspaces.

Key City of Melton projects funded through the 2025/26 Victorian Budget include:

Melton Hospital

• $140 million has been included in the 2025/2026 Victorian Budget for construction of the new Melton Hospital. The project completion date has been revised to the first quarter of the 2029/2030 financial year.

Public transport

• Funding towards the $4 billion Sunshine Station redevelopment, which includes the $2 billion previously committed by the Australian Government towards the project. The upgrade to Sunshine Station is crucial in delivering the Melbourne Airport rail link and paving the way for electrification of the Melton rail line.
• Continued commitment to upgrades on the Melton rail line with overall investment expected to be $650 million. This will include $325 million of Australian Government funding. The project is due to be completed in the 2028/29 financial year.
• New bus routes connecting passengers in growth areas to train stations, including Mt Atkinson, and Thornhill Park estates.
• Continuation of Melton South, FlexiRide bus services.
• Realigned bus services to connect Aintree, Fraser Rise, Hillside and Deanside residents to the Metro Tunnel via Watergardens.
• Upgraded bus services to improve access to Caroline Springs town centre and Watergardens Station.

Roads

• Calder Park interchange upgrade in partnership with the Australian Government.

Active transport

• Cycling infrastructure between Melton Town Centre, Melton train station and Weir Views, and shared use paths to Watergardens Station and activity centres on the Melton Highway and Sunbury Line Strategic Cycling Corridor.
  

Education

• Existing commitments to deliver the new Melton TAFE in 2028, with $28 million dedicated in the budget.
• Funding for a new primary school to open in Aintree in 2027 and stage two of the Yarrabing Secondary College.
• $10.7 million for upgrades to Kurunjang Secondary College and $21.3 million for upgrades Melton South Primary School.
• Funding for planning for future upgrades for Melton Primary School.

Planning for commercial investment and jobs

• Funding towards the development of the Derrimut Fields Precinct Structure Plan, which will allow for the development of industrial real estate, boosting commercial investment in the area and creating around 8,600 jobs.