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

The Government is developing a comprehensive transport plan for Victoria to be released by the end of this year. The plan will respond to proposals for Melbourne’s east-west corridor in Sir Rod Eddington’s report Investing in Transport and other transport priorities across the state.

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

The ETC has reviewed the recommendations from the EWLNA and makes comment on them below. It is important to note that we have concentrated on the recommendations that directly relate to our region.

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)

The Eastern Transport Coalition’s Public Transport Summit was held on Friday 4 July.

The summit successfully brought together local residents, leaders and transport advocates to discuss improving public transport in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Presentations delivered during the summit are now available:

• Professor Peter Newman -Future Cities: what can Eastern Melbourne do?
• Professor Graham Currie – A metropolitan view on public transport futures
• Claude Cullino, City of Manningham – Case for Doncaster Rail
• Ian Bell, City of Knox – Rail to Rowville pre-feasibility
• Cr. Alex Makin, City of Maroondah – Ringwood as a regional centre
• Cr. Samantha Dunn, Shire of Yarra Range – Duplication of the Belgrave/Lilydale lines

The Eastern Transport Coalition is holding a major public transport summit on the 4th of July to discuss what changes we need to accommodate for the increase in public transport patronage in our area, now and in the future.

The summit will feature keynote speaker Professor Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University. Professor Newman is a renowned West Australian academic and planner who is credited with coining the term ‘automobile dependence’ — an expression describing the creation of cities reliant on cars.

The Summit will also hear from Professor Graham Currie, Monash University Chair of Public Transport and Peter Daly, Chief Engineer from the RACV.

ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that following the Eddington study it was clear that the State Government needed a transport plan for the rest of Melbourne and in particular the eastern suburbs.

“We intend to use the summit to put together the basic requirements of a transport plan for the eastern suburbs. We call on anyone who has an interest in improving public transport to attend the meeting or send us their ideas.

“It is clear that we need better public transport in Melbourne’s east — and we need it now! It’s the smart answer to help local families cope with the rapidly escalating petrol prices and climate change.

“If you can’t make it to the summit you can send us your ideas on info@etc.org.au.

“Now is the right time to make your voice heard in the State Government’s future transport plans for Melbourne,” Cr Van De Vreede concluded.

Details

Friday 4 July, 8:30am to 11am

Manningham City Council, Doncaster Road, Doncaster

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

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