Posted by admin on 24th September 2007
The Eastern Transport Coalition has prepared a submission in regard to the State Government’s Melbourne 2030 audit:
The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) commends the intent of Melbourne 2030 and offers suggestions to improve
its operation and implementation. Melbourne 2030 recognises the importance of public transport in metropolitan Melbourne.
The policy however does not mandate the provision of improved public transport infrastructure and services to more appropriately facilitate increased population growth in higher density communities.
The ETC advocates that higher density development should be encouraged, as long as public transport services
and infrastructure are improved to facilitate such growth.
Noting that public transport patronage has increased by 20% in the preceding two years, the ETC believes the importance of providing improved public transport services is imperative to the government and the people it serves.
The government’s stated objective of achieving 20% public transport usage of all motorised journeys by 2020 is
commendable; without greater investment in public transport infrastructure and service provision however this will be unachievable.
9Sep
Posted by admin on 24th September 2007
In a submission to the State Government ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede has said that for Melbourne 2030 to deliver more needs to be invested in major public transport in Melbourne’s east.
Cr Van De Vreede said the central idea in Melbourne 2030 – to increase housing around transport hubs – was a good one, however the idea had not been backed up by expansion of rail options in the eastern suburbs.
“What Melbourne 2030 really needs is a plan that allows for the expansion of rail in the outer east. There are a number of major activity centres in Melbourne’s east which would significantly benefit from the expansion of heavy rail.
“Rail to Doncaster would significantly improve the functioning of this growing population centre. Similarly, connecting Monash University, the new infill suburb at Waverly Park and Stud Park Shopping Centre with rail to Rowville would make the area much more liveable and attractive to people in that it would provide transport choice, reduce traffic congestion and ease the burden of rising fuel costs.
“Recent announcements that off peak use of rail will be encouraged to reduce overcrowding of peak services shows that our current system will not cope with more increases in patronage. This needs to be considered in light of the current expansion of Ringwood as a transit city.
“If Ringwood continues to expand without a matching increase in the capacity of the Belgrave/Lilydale rail line it will not be as liveable as it could otherwise be, in fact it will become a car dominated suburb.
“The fact is that if Melbourne is to be a truly liveable city while encouraging higher density living, we need to invest now in dedicated public transport infrastructure such as heavy and light rail.
“We need to finish the suburbs we already have before building new ones,” Cr Van De Vreede concluded.
For more information please contact;
ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede 0438 029 932
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350
9Sep
Posted by admin on 18th September 2007
In May 2007, in order to understand the transport needs of residents of Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs, the Eastern Transport Coalition commissioned the Australian Research Group (ARG) to conduct research into attitudes towards public transport in the Eastern region.
The research took place in May. The study involved 1000 online interviews across six electorates in Melbourne’s East: Aston, Bruce, Chisholm, Deakin, La Trobe and Menzies. These electorates were selected because they fall within the area covered by the ETC member councils and for their political significance.
The study explored attitudes and perceptions towards public transport in the area, barriers to greater usage and preferences for funding solutions.
9Sep
