Victorian government urged to prepare ‘exit strategy’ for Suburban Rail Loop as report finds benefits ‘overstated’

Infrastructure Australia criticises project's business case and backs concerns over cost blowouts

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The Victorian government has overstated" the benefits of sections of its contentious Suburban Rail Loop project, Australia's peak infrastructure body has determined, as it warns blowouts to the $34.5bn price tag of the first section are likely.

In its evaluation of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East section, Infrastructure Australia - the commonwealth-funded independent infrastructure adviser - has recommended the federal government halt further funding to the project until an updated estimate and cost-benefit analysis is produced.

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