The idea of an underground train station at Melbourne Airport should no longer be entertained, says the man charged with getting the stalled project moving.
Mediator Neil Scales reported the $10 billion project remains "viable and necessary" but should be above ground unless a "comprehensive" case is put forward for an alternative.
The report handed three main recommendations to federal Transport Minister Catherine King, including Sunshine Station works continuing to transform it into a major transport hub.
This would capitalise on the early works completed for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, according to Mr Scales.
Its second recommendation was for refreshed modelling work on the timeline for capacity of Tullamarine Freeway.
The third was to move against further federal and state consideration of an underground train option, unless airport owner APAM puts forward a case in support.
"Should APAM wish to progress with the option of an underground station, it recommended that they produce a suitable and comprehensive business case, so that key stakeholders can examine the proposal in detail," Mr Scales said.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson said he agreed with the report's analysis on having an above-ground project.
"The report makes clear what we have said from the start - Melbourne Airport's demand for an underground station does not stack up," he said.
"It will involve greater disruption, take almost two years longer to deliver and cost taxpayers billions more.
"Upgrading Sunshine Station is a crucial part of the project and we know that it will deliver massive benefits for Melbourne's growing west."
A Melbourne Airport spokesman said its position remains that "an underground station at the airport is the right solution".
"Melbourne Airport was working in good faith with the Victorian government on its preferred above ground station until it abandoned negotiations in April 2023 and referred the project to the Federal Infrastructure Review," he said.
"We look forward to working with the Commonwealth and State governments to leverage existing business cases that resulted in world class underground stations, including at Western Sydney Airport."
The full report has been sent by the federal government to its state counterparts and the airport owners.
