A RAIL line to Clyde is coming closer into view after the State Government announced it had set aside $3 million to buy land for a rail station in fast-growing Cranbourne East.

The Cranbourne Leader has been campaigning for the Cranbourne line to be extended to service the exploding population in Casey’s south. More than 240,000 people are expected to live in the Cranbourne East/Clyde area by 2025 and Casey’s population will hit almost 500,000 by 2041.

But while the move is a step in the right direction, it is not known when the new Cranbourne East station will be up and running.

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ILLEGAL PARKING AT PACKED CRANBOURNE RAIL STATION

Cranbourne state Labor MP Jude Perera said land for a rail station in Cranbourne East had been identified some years ago but development had since made it unviable.

He said the new Cranbourne East station plan was not an election promise or dependent on Labor getting re-elected.

Line duplication work is underway between Dandenong and Dandenong South and Mr Perera said he hoped the line could also be extended to Clyde and duplicated to that point.

“I am pleased duplication has commenced and that there is money to find land for the rail line at Cranbourne East,” Mr Perera said.

The State Government announced on December 6 that it was also spending $3 million for a fire station at Clyde North.

A parcel of land for the fire station in Clyde North has been identified on Thompsons Rd in the Meridian Estate with the fire station expected to open in the 2018-2019 financial year.

Minister for suburban development Lily D’Ambrosio said the growing area needed more infrastructure.

“These vital infrastructure projects will ensure Melbourne’s growth areas remain liveable and accessible for years to come,” she said.