Posted by admin on 15th February 2008
On behalf of the Eastern Transport Coalition I would like to make the following submission for your consideration in the 2008-2009 State Budget.
With rising fuel prices, rising greenhouse gases and a rising cost of living the single thing that the State Government can do to help working families and the planet is increase expenditure on public transport.
The relationship between the environment, cost of living and public transport is an argument that has been acknowledged by the State Government, particularly in the policy Meeting our Transport Challenges. Whilst we applaud that policy, more needs to be done.
The state’s current long term housing policy, Melbourne 2030 also requires action. Councils that are members of the ETC broadly support Melbourne 2030 but also want to see expansion of public transport options. Increased public transport is critical if Melbourne is to remain a liveable city as it will reduce the need for each new dwelling to have a car, or, if on outer fringe two, three or four cars.
We firmly believe that this is the time for action to be taken. The election of the Federal Labor Government provides an unparalleled opportunity for cooperation on the most pressing issues of our time. At both levels governments have similar views and policies and this should be exploited to achieve cooperative funding outcomes for public transport.
2Feb
Posted by admin on 15th February 2008
The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) is comprised of seven municipal Councils in Melbourne’s East (City of Greater Dandenong, City of Knox, City of Manningham, City of Maroondah, City of Monash, City of Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges) and represents nearly one million people. The Coalition’s Mission Statement is:
“The Eastern Transport Coalition will advocate for sustainable and integrated transport services in the eastern region of Melbourne, which focus on the travel needs of the community and reduce the level of car dependency.”
The purpose of this letter is to present our input for consideration as the Government frames its 2008-2009 Budget.
Our key two requests are:
- The Federal Government allow urban public transport to be funded under AusLink or through the creation of specific programs.
- The Federal Government provide funding for a number of urban public transport initiatives in Melbourne’s east.
Australia is facing immense challenges to create sustainable cities for the future. The nation faces water shortages, transport congestion and high energy demands and it is important to consider how we might tackle these issues in the future. Families are also facing rising fuel costs; a cost of living increase that you are aware is impacting their abilities to make ends meet. In many ways the answers to these challenges and issues is in public transport.
The local community knows this, their attitudes to local transport issues and the problems of climate change and congestion are contained in the attached research.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage published a report on Sustainable Cities in August 2005 which looked at many of these concerns. The report was based on the Committee’s vision for Australian cities to be vibrant and environmentally, socially and economically healthy. Many individuals and organisations hold similar views. The Committee concluded that what was missing was a coordinated and concerted action plan, with the Federal Government leading.
2Feb
Posted by admin on 15th February 2008
In submissions to the State and Federal Government’s the ETC has sought co-operation to tackle one of the most significant contributors to rising greenhouse gases and rising petrol prices – private transport.
Cr Mick Van De Vreede, ETC Chairperson said that the seven councils wanted to see the funding criteria for AusLink changed to allow the $3+billion a year funding program to fund urban public transport.
“If we are going to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we emit and help families avoid the rising petrol prices we need to increase the availability of public transport now.
“A long term plan to reduce climate change requires a long term plan for the expansion of public transport.
“In the east this means four broad key projects;
- Heavy rail connections to Doncaster and Rowville
- Duplication or triplication on the Belgrave, Lilydale and Dandenong lines
- Completion and implementation of bus service reviews
- Improvement of passenger amenity through state of the art transport interchanges in Ringwood and Box Hill
“Without immediate action to deliver on these projects residents in the outer east will be unable to do their bit to reduce climate change.
“It would take two simple steps, the Federal Government can show national leadership and change their policies and then the State Government can make a formal request for AusLink funds to start scoping work or actually implement some of the ETC’s four broad key projects.
“The fact that we have the ALP in power in the both the state and federal governments should ensure that we have an unprecedented level of cooperation on this nations most pressing problems.
“In the past a Federal ALP Government has cooperated with a State Liberal Government to provide federal funding for public transport, I see no reason why the two governments can not cooperate now,” 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
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