Two key infrastructure authorities have been merged by the Victorian government to form one authority.
The Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA) and the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) have been merged to form the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA).
The new authority will oversee transport and health infrastructure projects at a time when some projects such as the Suburban Rail Loop are under way or the subject of an inquiry.
A bigger talent pool and ensuring operations are more efficient were among reasons for the change, according to VIDA director-general Kevin Devlin.
“This is a great opportunity to use our vast expertise and skills to deliver both major transport and health infrastructure projects together for the Victorian community,” Devlin said.
VIDA will have four project offices: Major Road Projects Victoria, Level Crossing Removal Project, the Metro Tunnel and the Victorian Health Building Authority.
That gives it a project list of more than 200 projects, from the Metro Tunnel and the North East Link to upgrades to hospitals and early parenting centres.
Rail Projects Victoria (RPV) will become the Metro Tunnel Project, working on testing and commissioning work ahead of its planned 2025 opening.
The Regional Rail Revival and Melbourne Airport Rail projects will be moved to sit under the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) while project development and delivery is planned.
But once the Metro Tunnel project is completed, all rail projects will be brought into one project office that focuses on rail infrastructure.
Victorian transport infrastructure minister Danny Pearson and health infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas will keep their portfolios and roles.
