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Apr

2

Sir Rod Eddington, advises Victoria on public transport, pro-bono…

Filed Under Australian Politics, State Government

A report commissioned by the Victorian Government has recommended $18 billion dollars in upgrading the states roads and public transport infrastructure.

The report was released by Sir Rod Eddington, the former head of British Airways and most recently leading up the Labor business advisory council advising on their industrial relations and small business policy. In an act of good faith Sir Rod has asked for no remuneration for his services in constructing the document.

Sir Rod has asked for a massive upgrade of roads, train lines, and bike paths over the next decade and has said Victoria can not afford not to adopt the changes. His recommendations include a 17 kilometre train tunnel linking the city’s west with the south-east underneath the inner-city suburbs and an 18 kilometre cross-city road tunnel linking city’s east to the west.

His recommendations were based largely on the fact that we place a lot of demand on the Westgate bridge, and if unavailable Melbourne almost crawls to a halt.

The article sourced from AAP is quoting Environment Victoria campaign director, Mark Wakeham as saying:

“The proposed Footscray to Caulfield rail link would be a welcome addition, but an inner city connection must be accompanied by the extension of services to the outer suburbs and growth areas that are currently without any services whatsoever.”

I agree with his recommendations however given the lack of investment by the government in our public transport networks and the massive growth of the Melbourne population, the fastest growing city in Australia. With approximate reports estimating in incoming population of 50,000 people per year since 2003 the government hasn’t invested heavily in infrastructure including transport networks whilst the outer suburbs are expanding at a rapid rate.

This situation leaves the city of Melbourne choking on traffic and congestion whilst the communities located in the outer suburbs find it difficult to travel. In a catch 22 situation I can’t seem to think that the governments public-private-partnerships are failing, without adequate investment obtained.

It will be difficult for the city of Melbourne to grow greatly and spend this money on Sir Rod’s recommendations, I feel that his estimated cost of $18 billion for the project is just touching on the surface.

$18b to solve Melbourne transport crisis | The Age

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