The Network Development Plan – Metropolitan Rail was a long-term development plan for the rail network of Melbourne, Australia. It was written by Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and released to the public on 27 March 2013 under the Napthine government and received minor updates in 2016.
Similar plans were intended to be released for regional rail, trams and buses. However, only the metropolitan rail aspect of the plan was released to the public by PTV. The Regional Network Development Plan was released by the Victorian Department of Transport in 2016.
The primary aim of the metropolitan rail plan was to improve the efficiency, reliability and patronage of Melbourne's train network and transition it towards a rapid transit system. It set out a number of goals over four stages, to be carried out over 20 years. Then-CEO of PTV Ian Dobbs (whose contract was not renewed in 2015) estimated the whole plan would cost about $30 billion.
In 2019 PTV was abolished as an independent, statutory government body and absorbed into the Victorian Department of Transport. The plan was influential on Melbourne's transport planning but does not represent current government policy.
Background The Public Transport Development Authority, later trading as Public Transport Victoria, was established by the Victorian government under Premier Ted Baillieu with the intent of, among other things, planning and improving the operations of the rail network.
Plan Below is the initial timeline of Stages 1–4 of the Network Development Plan of Metropolitan Rail which was released in 2013
Stage 1: (Timeline 2012 – 2016) This stage outlined immediate high priority goals to overcome urgent constraints, with a targeted completion date of 2016. All projects listed in Stage 1 had been completed in 2022.
Line(s)Project name StatusStarting dateCompletion date NotesGeelong / Ballarat / BendigoRegional Rail Link (including new stations at Tarneit and Wyndham Vale) Completed2013 2015 Plans to electrify Wyndham Vale Line.Mernda Extension of the Epping line to South Morang Completed2010 2012 Line was later extended to Mernda in August 2018.Sunbury Electrification of Bendigo line to Sunbury Completed2010 2012 Geelong Construction of Grovedale station in Grovedale (Geelong) on the Warrnambool Line Completed2014 2014 Renamed to Waurn Ponds.Werribee Construction of Williams Landing station in Point Cook on the Werribee line Completed2012 2013Frankston Construction of Southland station adjacent to Westfield Southland on the Frankston line Completed2016 2017 CranbourneConstruction of Lynbrook station in Lynbrook on the Cranbourne lineCompleted20102012PakenhamConstruction of Cardinia Road station in Pakenham on the Pakenham lineCompleted20102012Ballarat Construction of Caroline Springs station in Ravenhall on the Ballarat line Completed2016 2017 Initially construction started on a single platform station; scope expanded to double platform station after Melton duplication announcedHurstbridgeHurstbridge line upgrade and new stabling facility at Eltham station Completed2012 2013 Included improved signalling between Eltham and HurstbridgePakenham / Cranbourne Order 33 High Capacity Metro Trains Completed2016 2016 65 trains ordered in September 2016Sandringham High capacity signalling trial on the Sandringham line Completed2020 2022 Trial announced for South Morang line in July 2017 7 X'Trapolis 100 trains Completed2015 2017 5 trains ordered in March 2015 5 trains ordered in April 2016 9 trains ordered in February 2017 5 trains ordered in May 2018 40 VLocity carriages Completed2015 2018 21 carriages ordered in May 2015 27 carriages April 2016 27 carriages in December 2017
Stage 2: (Timeline 2016 – 2022) The second stage focused on creating a "metro-style" system by segregating operations and creating end-to-end lines, with a targeted completion date of 2022. It is expected that most projects in stage 2 will be completed by 2025.
Line(s) Project name StatusStarting date Completion date NotesSunbury / Cranbourne / PakenhamMetro Tunnel Completed20152025 Includes a turn back platform at West Footscray station. Completion date is moved from 2026 to 2025.
The Metro Tunnel opened to the public on 30 November 2025 and is fully operational as of 1 February 2026.BallaratDuplication of the Serviceton line between Caroline Springs and Melton Completed20172021Includes upgrades of stations and passing loops along the Ballarat line.Cranbourne / PakenhamUpgrades to the Dandenong rail corridor, including grade separations and signalling worksCompleted20162018 HurstbridgeDuplication of the Hurstbridge line from Heidelberg to RosannaCompleted20172018Done in conjunction with Level Crossing Removal Project.Delivery of initial order of 33 High Capacity Metro Trains, and the further order and delivery of 70 trains. Completed2016 2024 65 trains ordered in September 2016. Extended order to 70 trains in May 2021 for Airport rail link. Trains have been delivered, but Airport rail link continues to be paused.BallaratConstruction of Cobblebank station near Melton Completed20172019 Wyndham ValeNew railway station at Black Forest Road near Wyndham Vale Early Planning2018TBC Part of the Western Rail Plan. Western Rail Plan has not commenced past the early planning stage as of 2025.Major timetabling and operational changes to the network Underway2026 2026 Announced to take place in 2026.Sandringham / Mernda / Hurstbridge / SunburyInstallation of high-capacity signalling on Sandringham, Mernda & Hurstbridge lines and between Sunbury and South Yarra stations Underway 2020TBC High-capacity signalling planned to be installed between West Footscray and Westall via Metro Tunnel. High-capacity signalling planned to be extended from West Footscray to Ginifer when Airport rail link opens.
High-capacity signalling not planned for Sandringham, Mernda and Hurstbridge lines.
Stage 3: (Timeline 2022 – 2027) This stage focuses on extending the network to growth areas and suburbs without railway access, and utilising the preceding growth in capacity. It is to be completed within 15 years, before 2027.
Some projects are planned to happen in the next decade. Some projects may be built in a different form of transit, such as Rowville line becoming a possible light rail corridor or Doncaster line becoming a proper bus rapid transit corridor.
Implementation of HCS across the network is uncertain as of 2023.
Project name Status Starting date Completion date NotesMelbourne Airport Rail LinePlanning2022 Late 2033PTV Airport Rail Link study released in 2013 supported an Albion alignment. Federal government has committed another $2 billion for the project, with early works to begin near Sunshine station.
Victorian government, the Commonwealth and Melbourne Airport have formally committed to building Airport rail via the Albion alignment.
Completion date set to no earlier than late 2033 following lengthy negotiations between the Victorian government and Melbourne Airport regarding station placement.Doncaster Line Doncaster Rail study completed in 2014 showed preferred rail alignment. Excluded in the revised plan.Rowville Line Rowville study was completed in 2014, showing preferred alignment. Light Rail to Rowville is currently being planned, however has been put on pause due to the Suburban rail loop stage 1 taking priority.
Currently moved into Stage 6 of the revised plan Melbourne Metro 2: A new tunnel between Clifton Hill & Southern Cross via ParkvilleDoncaster Rail study addressed the need for this future tunnel Currently split differently in the new revised plan in stages 4/5Electrification of the Serviceton Line from Sunshine to Melton Early Planning 2018TBCPart of the Western Rail Plan. Western Rail Plan has not commenced past the early planning stage as of 2024.
Upgrades to Sunshine station, set to be completed by 2030, will prepare the Melton line for future electrification.Electrification of the Stony Point Line from Frankston to Baxter station Business case released by both State and Federal governments. State government decided not to proceed with the project.Duplication of the Cranbourne Line from Dandenong to Cranbourne Completed20182021Construction brought forward to Stage 2 and being built in conjunction with Level Crossing Removal ProjectDuplication of the Hurstbridge Line from Greensborough to Eltham Completed20182023950m of duplication from East of Montmorency station no longer being constructed to conserve endangered Eltham copper butterfly habitat and construction brought forward to Stage 2 of the PlanA Brand New Railway Station on Sayers Road in Tarneit Early planning 2018 TBCPart of the Western Rail Plan. Western Rail Plan has not commenced past the early planning stage as of 2024.
West Tarneit Station, near corner of Leakes and Davis Roads, is set to open in 2026. Additional stations to Wyndham Vale (e.g Sayers Road, Black Forest Road) have not yet been announced.A Brand New Railway Station in Truganina Planning2022TBCCommitted funding for early planning works for Truganina station in late 2022Order and Deliver of High Capacity Metro Trains Complete20212024High Capacity Signalling (Northern and Cross-City groups) Uncertain about expansion of HCS outside the Metro Tunnel corridors.
Stage 4: (Timeline 2027 – 2032) The final stage involves further utilisation of extra capacity and preparing for future growth in Melbourne. The stage is to be carried out within 20 years, before 2032.
The reconfiguration of the metropolitan rail network will create seven independently operated lines similar to other rapid transit systems
Some projects listed are planned to be completed in the next decade but are still in their early stages. most details about these projects are still unknown.
Project name Status Start date Completion date NotesQuadruplication of the Lilydale line between Burnley and Camberwell Currently moved into stage 3 of the revised plan as part of the Burnley Junction RationalisationDuplication of the Lilydale line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale Currently moved into stage 3 of the revised planDuplication of the Werribee line between the Altona Loop/Werribee Junction and Seaholme The loop has been partially duplicated as part of the Kororoit Creek Level Crossing Removal project. Feasibility study was completed in 2018.Electrification of the Warrnambool Railway Line from Sunshine to GeelongCurrently moved into stage 5 of the revised planElectrification of the North East line from Craigieburn to Wallan Extension of the South Morang line from South Morang to MerndaCompleted20152018Includes 2 new stations at Middle Gorge and Hawkstowe.Extension of the South Morang line to Fishermans Bend, with the Future potential to extend the railway in a tunnel under the Yarra River to Newport as the Metro Tunnel 2 Project Currently split differently in the new revised plan in stages 4/5Reconfiguration of the City Loop Currently moved into stage 3 of the revised plan, will be done on completion on Metro 1High Capacity Signaling (Frankston and Glen Waverley/Alamein Groups)Extension from Werribee to Wyndham ValeEarly Planning2018TBCPart of the Western Rail Plan. Western Rail Plan has not commenced past the early planning stage as of 2024.
2018 Transport for Victoria Plan