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 ETC submitted a response to the State Government on Sir Rod Eddington’s report, that contained a number of “big ticket” infrastructure projects such as the proposed east-west road tunnel and rail tunnel from Footscray to Caulfield. The ETC responded with a request that rail to Rowville and Doncaster also be considered.

At a recent Community Cabinet in the eastern suburbs, the Victorian Premier, John Brumby, requested the ETC provide feedback on short-term public transport projects, including walking and cycling projects that could be included in the “Metropolitan Transport Plan”.

The purpose of this submission is to provide the Government with a list of projects which
are:

• regional in their need or effect;
• able to be completed in the immediate to short term future;
• low to medium cost;
• easily implemented; and
• provide benefits to a wide-ranging cross section of the regional community.

The need for such actions is demonstrated by the recent surge in public transport patronage. This serves to exacerbate the inadequacies of the system in the outer eastern suburbs, as residents continue to travel by car.

The public transport patronage figure for Metropolitan Melbourne (Statistical Division) is 10.2%. With the exception of Monash and Whitehorse, the ETC are generally well below the average.

There is also a need to promote and assist “active” forms of transport being walking and cycling to promote healthier lifestyles and less reliance on cars.

• For a copy of this report please email ben@bensmith.com.au

We have then made a range of suggestions about how public transport needs to be improved in our area. We hope that the suggestions about how public transport needs to be improved in our area will be considered by Government separately as they do not relate to the limited study area of the EWLNA.

The main recommendations of the ETC are;

1. Support is given for the rail tunnel as recommended by the EWLNA.
2. The State Government must produce a comprehensive and long term plan for a significant expansion in the cities public transport infrastructure.
3. Feasibility studies and business cases for the following projects need to be undertaken immediately;
   • Rail to Rowville,
   • Rail to Doncaster,
   • Expansion of capacity of Belgrave/Lilydale lines.
4. The triplification of track from Caulfield to Dandenong must be undertaken as committed.
5. Improvements to passenger comfort thought upgrades or the creation of model interchanges at activity centres and transit cities must be undertaken.
6. A long term fund for fixing gaps in the tram and bus network be created.

• Read ETC response submission to the East-West Transport Options Review (PDF)

As you would be aware, the ETC represents approximately one million residents across seven municipalities in metropolitan Melbourne and advocates (to all levels of government) the provision of sustainable transport.

The ETC is a renowned and representative organisation that conducts its activities in a constructive manner by working with all levels of government and strategic partners to achieve its objectives.

It is within this spirit the ETC accepts your invitation to submit to the MRP consultation process, and looks forward to the response by the Victorian government.

The ETC believes the Objectives (as prescribed by the DOI) for the MRP (MR3) review process are well aligned with those sought by the ETC.  The ETC both notes the objectives of the review, and makes considered responses to each objective in an appropriate, researched and considered fashion.

Fundamentally important to each parliamentary officer and Minister involved in consideration of these matters, is the true and effective functionality of the public transport network.

In the past, the matter of public transport has been considered somewhat a service that ‘should be provided’ as opposed to being a ‘substantial community need’.

Within the realities of increasing oil costs, an ageing population, a burgeoning crisis in the eficient economic capacity of the economy, the participation of all people in the community must be considered. Public transport is itself an institution that has and will continue to provide people with access to social, recreational, educational and employment opportunities.

Surely this is enough to make the Victorian government consider enhancements as a priority in order to achieve its broader social, economic and environmental objectives.

• Read Metropolitan Train and Tram Refranchising Project (MRP) – ETC Suggestions

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.

• View 2008 – 2009 State Budget Submission

“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.

• View 2008 – 2009 Federal Budget Submission

The ETC represents one million residents in Eastern Melbourne through its seven member councils. Through this representation, the ETC includes a number of prominent activity centres, including the Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill Transit Cities which are pivotal to the success of Melbourne 2030 and enhancing Melbourne’s liveability.

The ETC supports the premise of developing overarching transport legislation with the aim of ensuring a clear and united vision for the future of Victoria’s transport system. It is clear however that physical integration of departments, such as VicRoads and the Public Transport Division of the Department of Infrastructure, is required to ensure a cohesive vision and level playing field between transport projects.

Currently VicRoads as a statutory authority, enjoys a number of benefits that are not available to either the Coordinator-Generals Office or the Public Transport Division. While the State Government has undertaken some steps in attempting to improve coordination between departments, a combined transport authority diminishes the conflict that inevitably exists.

In this regard, the proposed Transport Integration Act should be defined as a tier of objectives to assist in weighting each criteria. Such objectives need to be defined in the context of ensuring a sustainable and equitable transport system that delivers the efficient movement of people and goods.

These objectives need to be reinforced through policy goals that are codified within the legislation, not dissimilar to proposed legislation designed to reduce greenhouse emissions. In this regard, the policy objective of increasing public transport modal share to 20% by the year 2020 needs to be explicitly stated as a goal of the proposed legislation, with policy objectives being designed to meet this goal.

View the ETC’s submission to the Transport Legislation Review

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.

• Read: Submission to the Melbourne 2030 Audit

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.

• Public Transport in Melbourne’s Eastern Region – The problem
• Public Transport in Melbourne’s Eastern Region – The solution
• Public Transport in Melbourne’s Eastern Region – Full Report

Furthermore Federal funding for urban public transport infrastructure is consistent with global trends, with Australia remaining the only OECD nation where Federal involvement is not provided.

Urban public transport is important to the economy, the environment and serves as an important tool in moving people safely and efficiently to access employment, training and recreational opportunities.

National governments in all OECD countries fund urban public transport infrastructure in partnership with local and regional state governments – Australia is the only exception. For example, in the U.S, the national government is contributing to over 100 public transport projects in partnership with the states, and it provides approximately 50% of capital funding for public transport projects.

Whilst it is acknowledged that running public transport services is universally considered a state responsibility, most developed nations recognise that part of the costs required to establish infrastructure projects is met by national governments.
The Australian government is empowered by the Land Transport Act (Commonwealth) to fund public transport projects, and has done so in the past.

The Eastern Transport Coalition calls federal political parties to develop a policy framework that facilitates the assessment and funding of public transport infrastructure projects in partnership with the states. The development of such a process and then allocated funding to resource it, would demonstrate a strong national commitment to sustainability and international competitiveness of our major cities.

Read: Report on the Feasibility of Federal Funding for Urban Public Transport.