Infrastructure

Roads:

  • The $250 million Eastern Freeway extension between Doncaster and Nunawading was completed.
  • A $255 million extension Eastern Freeway extension between Springvale Road, Nunawading and Maroondah Highway, Ringwood had been announced.
  • Progressive duplication of Calder Highway from Diggers Rest to Woodend was continuing, on 50:50 basis with Federal Government.
  • The Western Ring Road between Princes Highway, Laverton, and Hume Highway, Campbellfield had been completed with the Federal Government.
  • The former South-Eastern Arterial had been upgraded to freeway standard ($115 million)
  • $118.5 million had been committed to upgrade Geelong Road (Federal money had been sought on a 50:50 basis)
  • $1.2 billion for road projects in rural and metropolitan areas were funded by three cents a litre Better Roads Fund.
  • The $2 billion, 22-km City Link project was constructed between 1996 and 1999.
    The Western Link was opened on Sunday 15th August 1999.
  • The Ports of Portland and Geelong were privatised.
  • The Kennett Government spent a total of $3.2 billion on new and upgraded roads in its 7 years through Better Roads and state funding.

Transport:

  • 61 premium stations were established in the metropolitan area (fully-staffed from first train to last, car parking, security videos, etc).
  • Fast (up to 130 kmh) Sprinter trains were introduced in country areas.
  • The annual taxpayer subsidy to the Public Transport Commission was slashed by half.
    Patronage of country and metropolitan services increased.

Local Government and Planning:

  • Private sector building activity in Victoria was at record levels.
  • The state planning system was overhauled to provide a clearer, more streamlined approvals process.
  • The council amalgamation process saw lower costs flowing to ratepayers.
  • New council planning schemes saw stronger protection for heritage properties.
    Council rates fell an average 20 per cent in Victoria after the very substantial local government restructuring which began in 1993-94.
  • Development began on the Melbourne Docklands project.