Victorian rail link plan a game-changer for higher education: Deakin

Professor den Hollander said the planned Burwood connection along the $50 billion underground network that would link all suburban rail lines to Melbourne Airport would provide safe, affordable 24/7 public transport for Deakin Burwood's 30,000 students and 3,000 staff members, while easing congestion on roads through surrounding suburbs.

"We congratulate Transport Minister Jacinta Allan for her persistence in pushing this plan forwards and we urge bipartisan support for what is an essential project that will be a game-changer for higher education in the region," Professor den Hollander said.

"This visionary project will benefit Deakin and Monash, La Trobe and all the TAFEs in the region. The fact the Victorian Government has recognised the need to better connect universities to research and industry partners, and of course with staff, students and the wider community, must be congratulated.

"This will also improve the capacity for us to support international education and partnerships, given the connection to the airport.

"Of course it is early days in this newly-announced plan, but we are particularly pleased that potential new train stations at Burwood and Box Hill would be part of the first works to be completed.

"Too often governments are accused of short-term ideas that do not plan for the future, so we are pleased to see a vision that leads us to tomorrow and beyond.

"If Deakin is to compete on a global scale then we need the infrastructure to support that, and we need governments who are brave enough to invest in nation-building projects for the long-term.

"Deakin is delighted for its students and staff and for the communities we serve."