Victoria's burgeoning population is driving an insatiable need for infrastructure, prompting an unprecedented $13.7 billion spending bonanza in Victoria's latest budget.
In an election year, the first-term Andrews Labor government is going back to basics and splashing cash on roads, rail, schools and hospitals.
"We can't wait, we can't stop and we can't slow down," Treasurer Tim Pallas told reporters on Tuesday.
There's almost $4.3 billion for improved roads and $1.9 billion to continue works across the rail network.
But despite a federal government pledge of up to $5 billion for an airport rail line, if Victoria tips in the same amount, Mr Pallas said the state would wait on the business case due for completion in September.
"If we need to find the funds to work with the Commonwealth to deliver on airport rail link, we're going to apply those funds seriously and diligently," Mr Pallas said.
The federal coalition government suggested Victoria use it's $2.1 billion from the sale of its share of the Snowy Hydro scheme to help fund the rail line.
But that money has been allocated to regional roads, rail and hospitals and building new schools across the state.
The building blitz has created a labour skills shortage and the government on Tuesday announced packages to create more Tafe places and make 30 courses free.
