Welcomed by Wyndham Council, the Western Rail Plan will see two electrified train lines to Wyndham Vale and Melton. Currently, diesel V-Line trains to Geelong and Ballarat service the locations. The connection of fast rail to Geelong would also require a separate electrified rail link to Wyndham Vale.
Kelly Grigsby, Chief Executive of Wyndham Council, said there are a number of issues facing both Geelong and Wyndham relating to the Regional Rail Line and its capacity to handle many years of rapid suburban growth. She added:
"Bringing this plan forward will provide urgently needed capacity for additional trains in Wyndham Vale and Tarneit."
According to Grigsby, the plan also has the potential of linking the Werribee line with the Wyndham Vale Line, which she described as important in terms of the Suburban Rail Loop, a major project that will connect all railway lines between Werribee and Cheltenham.
The 2019-20 Victorian Government budget set aside $100 million towards the delivery of design and planning works for the plan. Such works also include a detailed graphic design of the project.
In addition, the recent budget saw $5 million brought forward by the Federal Government for a number of other key projects, including a high-speed 100km-long transport link to improve connections to transport hubs, including Melbourne Airport.