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

The ETC welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback in regard to the State Government’s Transport Legislation Review.

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

Acting Chairperson of the ETC, Cr Alex Makin has called on the major parties to commit to federal funding of public transport given the clear community desire to see action in reducing the impacts of climate change.

“The new Federal Government has been elected on a platform of providing ‘appropriate financial assistance to State governments to improve and extend public transport systems in urban areas’ and we will campaign to see funding allocated to meet that commitment.

“As a first step we will meet the newly elected Federal members in our area and outline why federal funding is needed, looking in particular at the specific needs of Melbourne’s eastern and southeastern suburbs.

“As evidenced in a survey of 1000 voters, commissioned by the Australian Research Group, the majority of people believe that the Federal Government should consider funding major additions to urban public transport in the same manner it funds roads.

“We will continue to hold the State Government accountable and seek cooperation between the Federal Government to improve our urban public transport systems.

“We want the State Government to ask the Federal Government to include public transport in the AusLink program. This was a policy of the State Government in 2006 and we want to see them return to it.

“The ETC will be developing a submission that examines potential models for federal involvement in public transport infrastructure; we expect both the State and Federal Governments to support this initiative.

“Climate change was a key issue in the recent federal election. Any successful strategy to combat climate change must involve federal funding of public transport.

We call on the incoming government to live up to this commitment and for the opposition to reconsider its policies in regard to urban sustainability,” Cr Alex Makin concluded.

Acting Chairperson of the ETC, Cr Alex Makin has said the ETC has been underwhelmed by the responses from the major political parties to the need for improved public transport in the east.

“Voters in these key electorates also think that the Federal Government should fund public transport infrastructure in the same way they do roads.

“Voters want better public transport to reduce congestion, save money and help the environment.

“Our survey of 1000 voters found that more than four out of five respondents (83%) said that the issue of public transport infrastructure would be of importance when deciding who they would vote for in the next Federal election.

“And yet the political parties have provided only a mixed bag of responses, some good and some bad.

“While the Liberal Party has said that they will not entertain a role for federal involvement, it has been encouraging that La Trobe MP Jason Wood has agreed there is a need. Likewise the $80 million for Springvale Road provides a model that should be expanded to include public transport projects.

“The ALP, through candidate for Aston, Gerry Raleigh, has said that they promise a ‘national approach to fixing public transport in our community’. While this is a positive statement, the eastern suburbs need a financial commitment to make this a reality”.

“The Greens for instance have said that 25 per cent of Auslink funds should be used on mass transport systems. This is a stance the ETC supports and we note that the State Government advocated for public transport to be included last year.

“Federal Government funding for public transport would allow us to build rail to Rowville, rail to Doncaster or increase the number of train services on the Belgrave / Lilydale lines.

“With growing congestion on our roads, skyrocketing petrol costs and the impact of climate change – it doesn’t matter who gets elected they are going to have to include public transport in their plans.

“The ETC will continue to fight for better public transport in the east and for the Federal Government to have a role in public transport infrastructure,” Cr Alex Makin concluded.

For more information please contact;

ETC Acting Chairperson Cr Alex Makin 0408 311 645
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350

Chairperson of the Eastern Transport Coalition, Cr Mick Van De Vreede has said today that the ETC
will talk to voters at a number of railways stations and bus stops tomorrow to argue the case for
Federal Government funding of major public transport infrastructure.

“The following representatives of the ETC will be at four railway stations and one bus stop early
Friday morning;

• Cr Mick Van De Vreede (Knox)
• Cr Grace La Vella (Manningham)
• Cr Karin Orpen (Knox)
• Cr Alex Makin (Maroondah)
• Cr Samantha Dunn (Yarra Ranges)

“We will be talking to commuters and giving them a leaflet, encouraging them to think about public
transport when they vote, and specifically three projects;

• Rail to Doncaster
• Third track / duplication of the Belgrave / Lilydale line
• Rail to Rowville

“Each of these projects would increase the number of people using public transport and in doing so
help improve the environment, reduce congestion and save families money,” 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

When it comes to public transport the major parties have different policies but have failed to make any concrete commitments so far according to the Eastern Transport Coalition.

Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that over the past few months the ETC had been speaking to the major parties, advocating for federal funding of major public transport infrastructure.

“We have found that the ALP has a supportive platform, candidates will actually attend meetings and make supportive comments in the local press. Liberal Party candidates refuse to attend meetings and neither party has made any real commitments.

“We don’t need platitudes; we need action on public transport.

“Both parties need to listen to the needs of voters, in a recent survey of 1000 voters conducted by the Australian Research Group 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.

“In Sunday’s debate both Mr Howard and Mr Rudd raised issues about rising petrol prices, tightening family budgets and the environment. They need to now take action on these concerns by agreeing to fund public transport in urban areas.

“It is very frustrating that both Labor and Liberal have voted to support federal funding for public transport in parliamentary committees and they have actually funded it in the 1990’s.

“The ETC will continue its campaign in the hope that one of the major parties decides to make a real commitment to helping the 1,000,000 residents in the east cut the cost of transport and help the environment by once again federally funding public transport,” Cr Mick Van De Vreede concluded.

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In an historic step the Mayors of seven Council’s in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs have signed a joint letter to the Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd asking them to contribute to the funding of major public transport infrastructure in urban areas.

The seven Councils, Greater Dandenong, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges represent one million people. This area will see some of the closest contests seats in the up coming Federal election.

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) have been campaigning for better public transport over the last two years and more recently have turned their attention to the Federal election, strongly believing that the Federal Government must assist the states in developing better transport systems by helping to funding public transport infrastructure.

ETC Chairperson, Cr Mick Van De Vreede, said that over the past few months we have seen both political parties step in and fund or offer to fund areas that have not traditionally been their responsibility, now public transport should be looked at.

“Members of both parties have already indicated that they agree with the need, primarily for environmental reasons, to fund urban public transport. Now we want their leaders to agree as well.

“Fact is the voters agree, in a recent survey of 1000 voters conducted by the Australian Research Group 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 is also precedent, the former Federal Labor Better Cities program cooperated with the Victorian Coalition Government to fund extensions to light rail and upgrades to heavy rail.

“The current blinkered policy makes no sense, why pour billions of dollars into urban road capacity projects without considering other transport options? Options such as public transport also deal with congestion, help families and the environment.

“Our survey also found that 83 per cent of respondents said that the issue of public transport infrastructure would be of importance when deciding who they would vote for in the next Federal election so both Mr Howard and Mr Rudd should listen,” 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

Chairperson of the ETC, Cr Van De Vreede has welcomed the announcement of Federal Government funding for grade separation at Springvale Road as a sign that there is no barrier to Federal Government funding for major public transport projects.

The ETC represents seven Councils covering one million people in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and is campaigning this year for Federal Government funding for public transport.

Cr Van De Vreede said the “grade separation will help reduce traffic congestion at one of Melbourne’s busiest intersections and likewise a rail to Rowville, a rail to Doncaster and increasing the capacity of the Belgrave/Lilydale lines would reduce congestion on many more roads.

“If the Federal Government is happy to provide funding to reduce congestion on roads which are traditionally the responsibility of the State Government why shouldn’t they provide funding for high capacity public transport projects which will do the same?” It’s a ‘no brainer’.

“Such Public Transport projects will also serve to protect our families from the impacts of rising oil prices by giving them transport choices.”

The community in the eastern suburbs wants the Federal Government to help with funding. In a major survey of 1000 voters in the east 62% of respondents said it was not acceptable that the ederal Government provided funding for major roads but not for public transport infrastructure.

“This supports the Federal parliamentary Committee on Environment and Heritage decision that the provision of Australian Government transport infrastructure funds ‘include provision of funding specifically for sustainable public transport infrastructure for suburbs and developments on the outer fringes of our cities.’

“Phil Baressi was a member of the Committee for part of this inquiry so he understands the importance of public transport in improving the sustainability of our cities.

“I look forward to more decisions by the Federal Government to provide funding in areas where they have not traditionally done so, first it was a hospital, now its grade separations, hopefully tomorrow its public transport,” 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

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.

• Read: Submission to the Melbourne 2030 Audit

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

• Read: ETC Submission to the Melbourne 2030 Audit