Proposed cuts to SRL not counted towards total cost
The Victorian Auditor-General's Office reveals proposed cuts to the Suburban Rail Loop never counted towards the $34.5 billion project's cost, denting Premier Ben Carroll's claim that he can slash the price tag.
The Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) has clarified that proposed cuts to the SRL project were not included in the total cost estimate because the government never agreed to build those additions. Premier Ben Carroll announced a $1 billion saving by eliminating unnecessary components, including two underground station interchanges and a multi-level car park.
However, the Australian government's total cost estimate of $34.5 billion did not factor in these potential elements. The Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) revealed that these items represent optional scope options, not approved costs, hence no liability arises until the government decides their inclusion.
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