A TRAIN line connecting Lalor to Epping North and Wollert has taken a “major step forward” with the State Government set to spend $3.8 million buying land earmarked for a major Northern Suburbs transport corridor.

The money will be drawn from a statewide developers contribution fund and will be used to purchase six privately owned properties on the Wollert Transport Corridor.

The corridor could be used for a range of options, including an arterial road and a bus way, but it’s expected the buy up will fast track the construction of the estimated $600m train line.

Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny stopped short of confirming the corridor will be used for rail but said “it appeared to be heading that way”.

“The acquisition of this land is a major step forward for the train line to be built,” Ms Halfpenny said.

media_camera Thomastown State Labor MP Bronwyn Halfpenny says the purchase of the properties is “vital”. Picture: Supplied

“There has been no timeline set or firm decisions about the mode of public transport but the purchase of the missing link is vital.

“Whether a bus way is built first while we wait for the train line to be built is an option.”

Aurora Community Association spokesman Tony Francis said building the rail must be the priority.

“I fear if they build a bus way then it will remain like that and we won’t get the rail,” he said.

However, Mr Francis welcomed the acquisition as “great news” which would “hearten many in the community”.

“This acquisition substantially reduces the chances of the rail line being unnecessarily delayed and helps guard against the cost of un-acquired land rising prohibitively,” Mr Francis said.

“Completion of the rail line as soon as possible is highly preferable and the longer we wait, the harder it will be to construct it.”

The government crumbled late on Wednesday afternoon and revealed their plans after Leader News saw a Whittlesea Council paper that stated Transport for Victoria was actively seeking to buy properties on land set aside for the corridor.

The paper states “TFV is endeavouring to purchase properties in the designated rail corridor as they become available”.

media_camera Satya Gogula, Cara Horner, Tony Francis and Steve Boyne want a train line built between Epping and Wollert. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The council preferred TFV use Public Acquisition Overlay tools to secure the train corridor “as soon as possible”.

The six remaining properties, which are all in Epping, make up 14 per cent of total land set aside for the corridor.

It’s uncertain whether the department will enable PAO tools to acquire the land.

The interim business paper estimates the rail project would cost $600m to complete.

Rails Future Institute President John Hearsch said it would be a “change in heart” if the state government was attempting to buy up land set aside for the corridor.

“Twenty-thirty years ago, governments rightly bought up land for transport corridor but it’s something recent governments rarely do,” Mr Hearsch said.

“The land is already protected by Public Acquisition Overlay so it would be odd for the government to purchase properties unless they intended to build on it.”

Whittlesea Mayor Kris Pavlidis said she had not been formally advised of the land acquisition but would “welcome any news of the project progressing”.

“The extension of the train line from Lalor Station to Epping North and Wollert would have significant benefits for our community,” she said.

TFV was contacted for comment.