I write to you as Chairman of the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC), in reference to your offer on 9 May to
contribute to consultation pertaining to the (MRP or MR3) Review.

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

ETC Chairperson, Cr Mick Van De Vreede has welcomed the establishment of the Building Australia Fund as a clear commitment from the Federal Government to fund significant urban public transport projects.

“The ETC has been campaigning for the Federal Government to once again fund significant urban public transport projects and the Building Australia fund is the first step in doing that.

“This is our opportunity to secure funding for rail to Rowville, rail to Doncaster and expansions of capacity of the Belgrave/Lilydale line and Dandenong lines.

“With Eastlink almost open its time for the outer east to campaign for better public transport.

“Funding extensions to rail in outer urban areas will help families deal with the rising cost of living and tackle climate change.

“Our community agrees with this. In a survey of 1000 voters conducted last year by Auspol the key finding was that a majority of people believe that the Federal Government should consider funding major additions to urban public transport in the same manner it funds roads.

“There were a number of reasons why people want better public transport. For instance 54% of respondents said the lack or poor quality of public transport infrastructure had a direct affect on their family, 67% said it increased their fuel costs and 65% said it increased their travel time.

“Two weeks ago we also spoke to over 500 local commuters at the Box Hill, Glen Waverley and Belgrave railway stations, Monash University and the Doncaster Park and Ride. The clear message is that they want upgrades, extensions and increased rail services.

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

“The ETC will write to the Federal Transport Minister seeking a portion of the $75M fund for feasibility studies be used to create a public transport upgrade plan for the outer east, which would include extensions to rail and integrate with the public transport outcomes of the Eddington study,” Cr Mick 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

The ETC has conducted a survey of public transport users across the eastern suburbs, asking users heir views of current services, how they may be improved and about the free early bird train tickets.

ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that commuters want more rail services, new lines
and the free early bird train tickets extended to connecting buses and trams.

“The State Government budget is the perfect opportunity to address some of these issues.

“Representatives of the ETC spoke to 592 users at the Box Hill, Glen Waverly and Belgrave railway
stations, Monash University and the Doncaster Park and Ride.

“The results show that only around 24 per cent of commuters believe that the current train or bus
services meet their needs and that there is demand for new and increased services.

“It comes as no surprise that commuters waiting for a bus at Doncaster, which they can’t be
guaranteed of getting a seat on, want a train line instead.

“Users of the Belgrave station and Box Hill station want more services on the Belgrave/Lilydale line and students at Monash Uni just want better public transport services including a rail extension form Huntingdale and on to Rowville.

“This highlights the fact that we need a long term plan to improve public transport services in the east. The past year has seen public transport patronage significantly increase following the removal of zone 3 and massive hikes in the price of fuel. How will it cope if even more people decide to use it?

“The Eddington report did not look at the public transport needs of residents east of Warrigal Road and the ETC is determined to ensure that as we act to improve the east west transport connections the outer east is not ignored.

“We also asked commuters if they think that the early bird free train tickets are a good idea – and they do think they are a good idea but want the tickets extended to buses and trams. Commuters know that there is no point to a free train ticket if you have to buy a ticket for the bus to get to the train!” Cr Mick Van De Vreede concluded.

DETAILS: 592 survey’s conducted at Box Hill, Glen Waverly and Belgrave railway stations, Monash
University, the Doncaster Park and Ride and online.

Top ranked infrastructure upgrades by location

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

Commuters satisfied with their service by location

• 26 per cent of commuters at the Belgrave station believe the train service meet their needs
• 28 per cent of commuters at the Box Hill station believe the train service meet their needs
• 27 per cent of commuters at the Doncaster Park and Ride believe the bus service meets their
• needs
• 22 per cent of commuters at Monash University believe the bus service meets their needs
• 30 per cent of commuters at Glen Waverly believe the train services meet their needs and 12
• per cent believe the bus services meet their needs

Views on early bird free train tickets

• 79 per cent think the early bird train tickets are a good idea
• 94 per cent want the free tickets extended to connecting trams and buses

For more information please contact;

ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede 0438 029 932
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350

The Chairperson of the ETC, Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that the need for better public transport was high on the agenda at the recent local 2020 summit hosted by the Federal Member for Chisholm, Anna Burke, along with five other local MPs from the eastern and southeastern suburbs.

“The ETC was invited and attended Your Local 2020 Summit held jointly by the Federal Members for Chisholm, Deakin, Holt, Hotham, Bruce and Isaacs, and found that there was a great deal of interest in the Federal Government providing funding for major urban public transport infrastructure.

“This confirmed what we found in a major survey last year – 71% of people use cars to get to work and 61% would use public transport if the option was available.

“The survey also found that the Federal Government can help provide that option, 62% of respondents said it was not acceptable that the Federal Government provided funding for major roads but not for public transport infrastructure.

“The Federal Government currently provides billions of dollars for major road infrastructure but public transport is a viable and a necessary alternative. People know that public transport can achieve the same ends, taking private cars off the roads, helping reduce greenhouse gas emission and leaving road space for freight.

“Our local residents don’t want to see each level of Government blame each other, 76% believed the State and Federal Governments should share the cost for all necessary public transport infrastructure.

“In Melbourne’s east we have a number of key projects which would make Melbourne’s transport work better, we want the Federal Government to change its transport funding policies so they can be considered. The projects which would make a difference for us are;

• Heavy Rail to Rowville,
• Increased capacity of Belgrave, Lilydale and Dandenong Lines,
• Heavy Rail to Doncaster,
• Improved transport Interchanges.

“We hope that the Federal Government can act on the ALP platform and modify AusLink to provide funding for major public transport infrastructure,” Cr Mick Van De Vreede concluded.

Federal Member for Chisholm, Anna Burke said a number of groups at Saturday’s summit emphasised the importance of reducing car dependency and of providing integrated local transport choices.

“There is a clear need for long-term public transport planning and a role for the Federal Government in urban planning and development,” Ms Burke said.

For more information please contact;

ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede 0438 029 932
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350

The Eastern Transport Coalition has reacted with disappointment that the Eddington Report fails to provide a long term vision for public transport that includes the outer eastern suburbs

The Eastern Transport Coalition has reacted with disappointment that the Eddington Report fails to provide a long term vision for public transport that includes the outer eastern suburbs.

The Chairperson of the ETC, Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that Sir Rod Eddington was correct that a massive investment was needed in public transport to save the environment, Melbourne’s liveability and to protect families from rising fuel prices.

“The recommendation to increase the capacity of the Dandenong line through an underground system is welcome. The acknowledgement that massive investment is needed in public transport for environmental and social reasons is also welcome.

“The report also makes the right choice by putting the rail project first.

“We also welcome the recommendation to speed up the implementation of priority measures for buses.

“We are however very disappointed that there is no long term vision for the outer east. The report represents a real lost opportunity to help families reduce travel costs, reduce congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We will now campaign for the State Government to include plans for projects such as rail to Rowville and rail to Doncaster in its response.

“We need a long term vision for rapid transit in the outer east.

“Rail to Rowville for example would remove 2400 cars from the roads every hour, cars that otherwise cause congestion as they head into the city.

“The report seems to ‘give up’ on the east, suggesting that as residents already prefer to use cars rather than existing rail services there is no point in expanding rail.

“This ignores the fact that many interconnecting bus services only run to 7pm thereby providing no access to the rail network from people’s homes and when zone 3 was removed people flocked to the trains.

“The report ignores the fact is that tens of thousands of families in the outer east currently have no option but a car and are therefore more exposed to rapid increases in fuel price. Expansions of rail to Doncaster and Rowville would provide people with rapid public transport services they don’t get with buses.

“We strongly feel that families in the outer east should have the same transport options as other parts of Melbourne,” Cr Mick Van De Vreede concluded.

For more information please contact;
ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede 0438 029 932

The Chairperson of the ETC, Cr Mick Van De Vreede today called on the Victorian Government to follow the lead of the Queensland Government and put in place a program to help families deal with the cost of peak oil.

“The Queensland Government conducted a report into the states vulnerability to rising oil prices. The report found that as oil reserves are depleted there would be large costs on the community.

“The report recommended that action be taken now to mitigate the impacts. As a result the Queensland Government is now devising strategies to;

• reduce the consumption of liquid fossil fuel
• encourage the development and use of alternative fuels
• prepare for demographic and regional changes as Queenslanders alter travel, work and living habits in response to rising fuel prices.

“The report found that costs from peak oil would impact all sectors of the economy, particularly after 2015.

“I share these concerns and want to see us taking action locally to prepare for peak oil.

“I am also particularly concerned that peak oil will impact people who;

• Don’t have ready access to good public transport
• Are reliant on private motor vehicles for transport
• Are employed in the transport industry

“It is families in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs that will be most heavily affected by rapidly increasing fuel prices as they need to travel long distances to access work and other activities and often have no option but to use the car.

“There is no doubt that the Victorian Government is taking action on climate change but we need a specific focus on peak oil and its impact.

“Today we may be concerned about families not being able to afford a home, tomorrow we may be more concerned with families not being able to afford leave their home.

“The good news is that we can take action now. We can work to reduce our use of oil, find alternatives to oil and find more efficient ways of transporting our goods and services.

“John Brumby has previously asked the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission to inquire into the impact of transport congestion, now he should ask it to study the impact of peak oil in Victoria,” Cr Mick 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

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.

• View 2008 – 2009 State Budget Submission

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.

• View 2008 – 2009 Federal Budget Submission

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

• View State Government Budget Submission
• Federal Government Budget Submission

The Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) and Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC), jointly representing 26 Melbourne Councils, have asked the Rudd Federal Government, to contribute to funding major urban public transport infrastructure projects. Both organisations also called on the Victorian Government to seek changes to Auslink to allow funding of public transport.

Cr Jackie Fristacky, MTF Deputy Chair and Cr Alex Makin, Acting Chairperson of the ETC, said there is broad agreement on the need for the Commonwealth to resume funding public transport, in the same manner as it does roads.

“The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) recently resolved that it will continue to campaign for ‘federal funding of urban transport systems’, a position supported by both the MTF and ETC.

“The new Rudd government has policy supporting Commonwealth funding; the Federal ALP platform states:

“…ensure that Australians have access to adequate transport services by providing appropriate financial assistance to State governments to improve and extend public transport systems in urban areas.”

“The Victorian Government advocated in 2006, for Auslink to include urban public transport.

“With a consensus that we need to take strong action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are urging the new government to implement this policy and do what the last Federal ALP Government did, fund urban public transport.

“There are many projects in Victoria that require substantial capital investment and which would deliver large benefits in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, congestion and prohibitive costs of transport for struggling families.

“The Victorian Government could seek Commonwealth contribution to any one of a number of projects; examples being,

• Rail to Doncaster
• Rail to South Morang
• Rail to Rowville
• Rail to Torquay

“We look forward to the end of the blame game in public transport,” Cr Fristacky and Cr Makin concluded.

For more information or comment:

Cr. Alex Makin (ETC) Mobile: 0408 311 645
Cr Jackie M Fristacky (MTF) Mobile: 0412 597 794