Network access and freight

Accessing V/Line land

Applications

Holders of a valid Site Access Permit (SAP) are able to access V/Line land.

The V/Line Access Team will issue a SAP once an access request is submitted and reviewed.

Types of access

Non-disruptive access: a minimum of 28 business days notification is required to process an application that does not affect train services.

Disruptive access: a minimum of 90 days is required for access that disrupts train services.

Requesting access

To request access to V/Line land for any activities, please fill out the form by clicking the link below.

Apply for third party access

Third party access fee structure

Effective from 1 March 2016

	Type of access	Fee (excludes GST)
1	Extension of access Administration fee to extend the period of previously issued Site Access Permit.	$350
2	Initial Access Consultation Review Review initial documents for possible access, provide advice on documents/information provided to determine if access is required, etc.	$350
3	Annual applications Fee for setting up similar activities carried out at multiple sites. Duration 12 months. Covers activities such as graffiti removal, painting etc. Annual Renewal and Audit Fee	$3000 $1500
4	Access for Non-Commercial Purposes - NO entry into danger zone Covers activities such as: Handing out flyers for community purposes, sale of raffle tickets for charity. Each application is assessed individually. Standard access is one business day.	Nil
5	Access for Commercial Purposes - NO entry into danger zone Filming and/or Photography of V/line Assets or within V/line Lease Boundaries. Flyer distribution to promote commercial businesses. Each application is assessed individually.	Price on application
6	Access for Commercial Purposes - Entry into danger zone Inspections of the rail corridor (no equipment used) Any survey Maintenance works on non V/Line assets located on the rail reserve Does not cover intrusive works on V/Line leased land If works are not completed within the agreed timeframe, an extension of access must be applied for.	$650 $1020 $1650
7	Service pipes crossing of the rail corridor Covers commercial, utility and domestic facility services. Includes crossings on existing bridges and all water and gas conduits. Actual bore-hole sizes Less than 100mm 100 mm – 199 mm 200mm – 499mm 500mm or larger (but excluding major civil works) If works are not completed within the agreed timeframe, an extension of access must be applied for.	$1800 $3000 $4200 $6000
8	Service crossing of the rail corridor - overhead lines (not related to a development project) Covers commercial, utility, domestic, electrical and communications services. New Installation Cable (conductor) renewal Pole Renewal Cross Arm Replacement Strain Installation If works are not completed within the agreed timeframe, an extension of access must be applied for.	$3600 $1800 $1800 $800 $800
9	Mobile telecommunications Covers antennas, poles, huts, equipment shelters and maintenance upgrades. If works are not completed within the agreed timeframe, an extension of access must be applied for.	Price on application
10	Minor development and civil projects Covers minor works to existing bridges, structures, underpasses and paths. If works are not completed within the agreed timeframe, an extension of access must be applied for.	$2600
11	Major civil construction project Covers construction of bridges, underpasses, paths, major excavations, proximity to tunnels, rock anchors and mining. If works are not completed within the agreed timeframe, an extension of access must be applied for.	Price pn application
12	Decommissioning of services or assets comprising or coated with asbestos	Price on application
13	Ground water bore 1-5 bores Installation/decommissioning Inspections 6-10 bores Installation/decommissioning Ongoing inspections 11-15 bores Installation/decommissioning Ongoing inspections 16-30 bores Installation/decommissioning Ongoing inspections 31+ bores Installation/decommissioning Ongoing inspections If works are not completed within the agreed timeframe, an extension of access must be applied for.	$1000 $350 $1900 $500 $2200 $825 $2500 $1500 Price on application
14	Environmental works Works undertaken on the V/Line network providing benefits to the community and environment. Subject to approval by the V/Line Environmental Manager. Covers weed control, vegetation management, fire reduction, reserve maintenance and biological surveys.	Price on application
15	Rail or road projects	Price on application

Freight information & access

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) approved an access arrangement for the operation of freight trains on the V/Line network.

You can download these documents from the links below.

V/Line’s current standard access prices for financial year 2018/19 are:

Flagfall	($/km)
Bulkgrain	$0.00
Other freight (containers)	$1.00

Variable Rate	($1000/ GTK)
Bulkgrain	$4.74
Other freight (containers)	$1.89

Geelong Grain Loop	Flat fee
Access to Geelong Grain loop	$88.49

Access to certain Sidings & Terminals*	Per vehicle
Somerton	$15.00
Melbourne Arrival Sidings	$15.00
Tottenham Yard	$15.00

* No fee for the first 24 hours of access to the listed sidings and terminals. Access fee listed applies per vehicle for each consecutive 24 hour period of access.

V/Line Network Operator Access Agreement
PDF   991 kB Rail Operator Access Seeker Application Form
PDF   63 kB Site Access Guide
PDF   6.4 MB

More information

For more information about what's required to obtain access on the V/Line network, please download the guide below.

V/Line site access guide
PDF 735kB Third parties completing under track bores and excavating on V/Line leased land
PDF 421kB
For further information please email access@vline.com.au

For all freight related queries please email freight@vline.com.au

Important information