New model bike cages that save space and improve cyclists’ security are needed in Melbourne’s outer east, a council transport advocacy group has said.

The Eastern Transport Coalition, representing one million residents of the city’s outer east, have submitted a list of priority stations to the office of Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky.

ETC chair Cr Samantha Dunn said the group was invited to submit the priority needs list during a meeting with advisers to Ms Kosky and she now hoped for a positive response – and swift action.

“The Brumby Government has invested more than $1million in a program to install the new bike cages, or Parkiteers, and we applaud this innovative program,” Cr Dunn said.

“But we think it’s time that some of that innovation was shared with our region.

“A total of 23 cages were installed last year, 18 of them in metropolitan Melbourne, and the Government committed to funding another 10 Parkiteers this year.

“The ETC represents more than one million people living in Melbourne’s outer east, but of the 18 metro locations provided with a Parkiteer to date only four are on train lines that service any of our seven member municipalities.”

The priority list submitted in writing to Ms Kosky’s office this week is:

 Ringwood station (Lilydale line, Maroondah City Council)

 Belgrave station (Belgrave line, Shire of Yarra Ranges)

 Lilydale station (Lilydale line, Shire of Yarra Ranges)

 Laburnum station (Lilydale line, City of Whitehorse)

 Yarraman station (Pakenham line, City of Greater Dandenong)

 Upper Ferntree Gully station (Belgrave line, Knox City Council)

Cr Dunn said she looked forward to a reply from the Minister’s office, and to an announcement that would lead to improved services for cyclist commuters across the region.

The Eastern Transport Coalition represents about one million people living in the municipalities of Monash, Whitehorse, Dandenong, Manningham, Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges.

The ETC advocates for better public transport to reduce the level of car dependency and secure the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Melbourne’s outer east.

 The Victorian Upper House Inquiry into Train Services is investigating the right sector but the wrong problem, according to advocacy group the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC).

 ETC chair Cr Samantha Dunn, who will appear before the inquiry on Tuesday September 22nd , said an investigation into last December’s Connex service meltdown was no longer the best use of the Upper House’s resources.

She said the most critical need for public transport improvements lay not in services provided by an outgoing rail operator, but across Melbourne’s under-resourced outer east.

“We welcome any opportunity to talk about the need for more investment in better public transport solutions and we’re pleased that the inquiry wants to hear from us,” Cr Dunn said.

“But we feel this focus on a series of weather-related service malfunctions last summer can promise little in the way of tangible service improvements.

 “Unfortunately, and despite our many years of advocacy, the one million people who live in Melbourne’s east are too often denied access not to frequent and reliable services, but to any services at all.”

Cr Dunn said the most urgent need was for rail extensions to Rowville, which would service Monash University, and Doncaster.

“We were disappointed that the Brumby Government’s Victorian Transport Plan was silent on this much-needed infrastructure and we’re now asking the Government to undertake full and public feasibility studies into a heavy rail line to Rowville, and a heavy rail line to Doncaster,” she said.

Cr Dunn said the crash on the Monash Freeway which threw Melbourne into chaos on Wednesday morning showed yet again that new roads were not the solution to easing congestion or making life simpler, safer or easier for the city’s fast-growing population.

“We hope that rather than be the end of an investigation into failed services nine months ago, the Upper House Inquiry into Train Services will instead be the beginning of greater scrutiny of the Government’s political and funding priorities.”

The Eastern Transport Coalition represents about one million people living in the municipalities of Monash, Whitehorse, Dandenong, Manningham, Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges.

The ETC advocates for better public transport to reduce car dependency and secure the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Melbourne’s outer east.

MEDIA CONTACT Cr Samantha Dunn, chair, Eastern Transport Coalition 0407 364 509 Lissie Ratcliff, CPR, 0417 519 223

FRUSTRATED communities will pressure the Brumby Government for better public transport across Melbourne’s east with the collection of tens of thousands of signatures on a ‘Monster Petition’ launched today.

Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) chair and Shire of Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn said “We launched our Monster Petition today at Monash University in Clayton because, despite the huge numbers of students and staff travelling to this campus every day, it is still without adequate public transport infrastructure – it is a metaphor for the neglect of our region over many years”.

Like the suffragettes in 1891 who collected thousands of signatures on a monster petition supporting women’s right to vote, the eastern suburbs were being denied a resource available to people living elsewhere in Melbourne.

“The mayors and CEOs of the seven member councils that make up the ETC have come here today to join with the Monash Student Association, and everyone who is a member of the Monash community, to be the first of what we believe will be thousands of people to sign the Monster Petition,” she said.

Monash Student Association President Julian Campbell said people travelling to Monash University and the adjacent science and innovation precinct, which includes Australia’s only Synchrotron, were among those missing out under the Brumby Government’s Victorian Transport Plan.

“The ETC’s Monster Petition has our full support,” Mr Campbell said.

“We hope that it will finally get the message through to the Brumby Government that public transport is a serious issue in the east, not only for Monash students but for everyone who lives and works in this region.”

The suffragettes’ Monster Petition was about 260metres long and 200mm wide, made of paper glued to cotton and linen and rolled onto a cardboard spindle.

Cr Dunn said the ETC Monster Petition was made of multiple rolls of recyclable synthetic paper, each 15 metres long with two signature columns. The petition is housed in a custom-made timber box to facilitate its transport.

The Monster Petition will travel around the region for the rest of this year, hosted for three weeks by each of the ETC’s seven member councils before being presented to the Victorian Parliament.

Cr Dunn said the ETC was bitterly disappointed that the Victorian Transport Plan did not include any major initiatives to address the significant gaps in the provision of and planning for public transport in our region.

The petition will seek commitments from the Government to modify the plan to include:

1. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville,
2. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster
3. A greater commitment to the extension of the Metro rail tunnel from Domain to Caulfield,
4. A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverly lines,
    
5. Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges located in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,
    
6. Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles 

“The State Government has never provided a reason why rail extensions to Rowville and Doncaster shouldn’t be built,” Cr Dunn said.

“We’re asking that proper public feasibility studies be conducted to assess the viability of delivering heavy rail services to these two areas.

“Governments have been promising major investment in public transport for the eastern region since 1969. Forty years on and our residents are still waiting.

“We’re putting the Government on notice that it’s time to end the neglect.”

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) represents about one million people living in the municipalities of Monash, Whitehorse, Dandenong, Manningham, Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges.

The ETC advocates for sustainable and integrated transport services to reduce the level of car dependency to secure the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the Melbourne’s outer east.

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) has constructively submitted to many Victorian and Commonwealth government forums, reviews, inquiries and consultation processes in the most recent years regarding the provision of sustainable transport options for the eastern region of metropolitan Melbourne.

The respective communities represented by the ETC have been vocal supporters of improved public transport in Melbourne’s eastern metropolitan region. This is well documented by outcomes from community surveys, community engagement and consultation.

A recent survey or 592 rail commuters across the ETC catchment area validates this assertion:

• 71 per cent of commuters using the Doncaster Park and Ride want a rail line to Doncaster;
• 51 per cent of commuters using Belgrave station want more services along the Belgrave / Lilydale lines;
• 50 per cent of commuters using Box Hill station want more services along the Belgrave /Lilydale lines;
• 33 per cent of commuters at Monash University want a rail line to Rowville, and 24 per cent want more services along the Dandenong line; and
• 52 per cent of commuters at Glen Waverly want more services on the Glen Waverley line.

Historical underinvestment in rail infrastructure and services has led to a relative decline in public transport usage when compared to annual vehicle kilometres travelled in private vehicles. Much of eastern metropolitan Melbourne is characterised by very high levels of car ownership due to insufficient public transport options, causing an over – reliance on private vehicle use and infrequent and less reliable bus services – where they exist. The health, social and environmental costs associated with inadequate public transport services are growing due to this imbalance.

In its recent inquiry into the costs of congestion, the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) found that the economic costs associated with road congestion in Melbourne is between $1.3 billion and $2.6 billion annually1. In contrast, investment in rail infrastructure and service improvements will substantially reduce economic costs caused by congestion, improve access and equity for outer suburban residents and provide substantial environmental benefits.

• Download the ETC’s Submission to the Legislative Council Select Committee on Train Services.

The Eastern Transport Coalition has welcomed the fact that the Federal Government is now contributing to the funding of urban public transport but called on both Federal and State Government to consider a plan for the future that includes improved rail in the Melbourne’s east.

ETC Chairperson Cr Samantha Dunn said that the ETC had campaigned for Federal funding for urban public transport and was very pleased that it was now happening.

“Two years ago we commissioned a survey of 1000 voters in the outer east and found that 62% of respondents said it was not acceptable that the Federal Government provided funding for major roads but not for public transport infrastructure.

“We welcome the application of funding for the expansion of rail in the western suburbs and
the funds to plan the first stage of the Metro.

“Whilst this work goes on we would like serious consideration given to the extension of rail to Rowville, Doncaster as well as timelines established to plan for the increase of capacity on the Ringwood/Belgrave/Lilydale line. “Planning for the Metro must also include the segment of the project that would connect Domain with Caulfield as it will help provide the increase in capacity needed on the Dandenong line into the future.

“It is particularly disappointing that neither the Federal nor State Governments have ever given a reason why we can’t extend rail to Rowville via Monash University. The ETC made submissions to the Eddington Review, the Victorian Transport Plan and Infrastructure Australia and despite repeated commitments in previous years to conduct a proper feasibility study nothing has ever happened.

“The ETC will now consider what it can do to have rail to Rowville transparently assessed,” Cr Dunn concluded.

For media inquiries please contact;
ETC Chairperson Cr Samantha Dunn 0407 364 509
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350

ETC Chairperson, Councillor Samantha Dunn has welcomed and endorsed a call by the Member of Legislative Council Brian Tee for bike parking facilities at the Doncaster Park and Ride.

Cr Dunn said that improved bike parking facilities was a great idea for the Doncaster Park and Ride and should also be considered at a number of train stations and interchanges across the eastern suburbs.

“We have seen firsthand the ramifications of the increased demand for public transport, overflowing car parks so its a great idea to give commuters the option of safely parking their bikes before they get on the train, tram or bus.

“If the state government are successful in delivering train like services with the Doncaster Area Rapid Transit service they will need more space for commuters to park.

“I hope the state government acts on Mr Tee’s request in Parliament yesterday and I encourage them to look further afield for other opportunities.

“The member councils in the ETC, Greater Dandenong, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges will conduct an audit based on our on the ground knowledge and request more secure bike parking facilities” Cr Dunn concluded.

The Eastern Transport Coalition has welcomed the investment in buses made in the State Budget.

ETC Chairperson Cr Samantha Dunn has welcomed the commitment to implementing the Doncaster Area Rapid Transport (DART) project – as long as it delivers train like services.

“By providing $112.1 million the State Government has committed one third of the cost of the DART project and whilst we have always wanted a train line to Doncaster we welcome the investment, as long as commuters get train like service.

“Train like service means that the DART buses wouldn’t be stuck in traffic on Hoddle Street, unnecessarily stopped by traffic lights or passengers made to wait on street corners.

“We also welcome the commitment to extend the existing Yellow SmartBus 901 service from Ringwood to the Melbourne Airport as it will provide residents of the eastern suburbs an affordable way to get to the airport.

“The committal of funding for the long awaited and often promised Springvale Road grade separation will ultimately allow for improved train services and on road public transport.

“The ETC welcomes any increase in funding for public transport in the east, but believes that the improvements and extensions in rail are critical if we are to meet the public transport needs of the region over the next 25 years, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on cars.

“The ETC asked Infrastructure Australia to fund the extension of rail through Monash University to Rowville, rail to Doncaster and an increase in capacity of the Ringwood/Belgrave/Lilydale line.

“It’s also critical that both stages of the Metro be funded to allow for an increase in capacity on the Dandenong line.

“It would be great if the Federal Government funded any of these projects as that would provide the million plus residents of the outer east the generational step up in the provision of public transport that they deserve,” Cr Dunn concluded.

For media inquiries please contact;
ETC Chairperson Cr Samantha Dunn 0407 364 509
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350

At its February meeting the Eastern Transport Coalition elected Yarra Ranges Councillor, Samantha Dunn as its new Chairperson.

Cr Dunn takes over from Cr Van De Vreede who had served in the role for the past four years. Cr Dunn has represented the Lyster Ward in the Shire of Yarra Ranges since 2005.

Cr Dunn said that she was honoured to be elected as Chairperson and thanked Cr Van De Vreede for his work.

“Cr Van De Vreede has been a champion for better public transport in the outer east and was instrumental in directing the ETC’s campaigning on issues such as the removal of zone 3, the successful campaign for the Federal Government to fund urban public transport infrastructure and the ongoing campaign for rail extensions and capacity upgrades.

“Under my leadership the Eastern Transport Coalition will continue to advocate for accessible and integrated sustainable transport in the eastern region of Melbourne to improve liveability and reduce car dependency.

“We have come a long way in the last 4 years but we need to do more because there are still serious deficiencies in the provision of public transport to outer east,” Cr Dunn concluded.

ETC COUNCILLORS 2009

Cr Samantha Dunn (Chairperson) Shire of Yarra Ranges
Cr Alex Makin Maroondah City Council
Cr Bill Pemberton City of Whitehorse
Cr Mick Van De Vreede Knox City Council
Cr Greg Male Monash City Council
Cr Gracel Lavella Manningham City Council
Cr Roz Blades City of Greater Dandenong

For media inquiries please contact;
ETC Chairperson Cr Samantha Dunn 0407 364 509
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350

ETC Chairperson, Cr Mick Van De Vreede has said that whilst the eastern region missed out
on any boost for public transport in the $42B stimulus package the ETC remained confident
of funding from the Building Australia Fund.

“The ETC made a submission to the Building Australia Fund last year and we are hopeful that when the successful projects are announced funding will be provided for rail in the east.

“The Federal and State Government are currently looking for projects they can fund to provide a stimulus to the local economy and rail is the perfect answer.

“Improved rail services will do more than just provide jobs; it would provide an ongoing economic stimulus from the reduction in congestion, improve community connectedness and help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The ETC requested funding for four projects from Infrastructure Australia (IA);

• Rail to Rowville from Huntingdale Station via Monash University
• Rail to Doncaster
• Capacity upgrades on the Cranbourne/Pakenham lines
• Expansion of the capacity of the Belgrave/Lilydale line

“Even though the State Government did not include all these projects in its Victorian Transport Plan they can still be funded by IA,” Cr Van De Vreede concluded.

ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that the outer east has failed to receive the
generational step up it needs to provide transport choice for its residents and free it of congestion.

ETC Chairperson Cr Van De Vreede said that the ETC had sought commitments for 4 key projects
and the Victorian Transport Plan had partially delivered on two of them.

“The contrast with the west of Melbourne is damming, they rightfully receive new train lines but in the
outer east we are given long off promises and toll roads.

“By failing to commit to new rail services in the outer east in its transport plan the state government is
consigning hundreds of thousands of families to a higher cost of living and hours wasted sitting in
congested freeways and tollways.

“We are deeply disappointed by the total failure to even consider rail to Rowville. I fail to understand
why a project that links Monash University, the Monash Innovation Precinct and the Rowville-
Scoresby employment precinct with the CBD and takes up to 2350 cars of the road every hour was
not even assessed.

“Rail to Rowville first appeared on government plans in 1969 and the current Government even
promised to conduct a feasibility study early in its term.

“We are also disappointed that the commitment to increase rail capacity by putting a third track on
the Dandenong line has been delayed – except for 2.7km – until an unspecified time.

“The DART service must be welcomed and I look forward to the dedicated lanes right to the CBD
providing commuters an efficient transit service. When the ETC surveyed commuters at the
Doncaster Park and Ride they overwhelmingly wanted a train service so the DART service really will
need to provide train like service to meet their needs.

“The ETC is also pleased that the government will ‘consider’ increased capacity on the Belgrave –
Lilydale line into the future, but I want to know why we can’t do the same for Rowville,” Cr Van De
Vreede concluded.

For media inquiries please contact;
ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede 0438 029 932
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350