I was recently appointed onto the MAV Transport and Infrastructure Group which held its first meeting for 2006 this evening. The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the industry recognised organisation representing local government within Victoria and as such is addressing transport and infrastructure needs on a strategic level.
There is a clear understanding within local government that public transport must be improved to secure Melbourne and Victoria’s future economic, social and environmental wellbeing. The MAV is particularly concerned with the disjointed approach the State Government has provided towards public transport and it is clear that this must be rectified.
The State Government’s last opportunity to address this will be within the upcoming and much anticipated Transport and Liveability Statement. Melbourne deserves better that the haphazard approach afforded to us over the past six years.
Alex
Are there any lessons from the Dandenong plan just announced for Ringwood? There the station is skewed away from the main commercial hub and the ramps go over the platform; rather than under which is the McInnes preferred option for Ringwood.
What are key reasons for Danenong being mentioned now…have we missed the next electoral gravy train? Or are we further down the track than them? We are now undergrounding utilities.
Stephen
Stephen,
It is good hear from you and thank you for your comments.
I see a lot of parallels in terms of both current and potential design between Dandenong and Ringwood. Dandenong Station has a similar layout to Ringwood although in bus cases bus access does need to be improved and we obviously require the accessibility improves at Ringwood which Dandenong already possesses.
Dandenong Station is definitely skewed away from the town centre and the main commercial (in this case Dandenong Plaza) whilst in Ringwood we are fortunate that the station is closer to the town centre (although VicRoads does need to urgently approve plans to ensure traffic calming along Maroondah Highway).
Dandenong always seemed to be placed on a higher priority level within government relative to Ringwood. I believe it is due to politics since a number of Ministers hold seats within the Dandenong area and the government is keen to be seen to spend big within Dandenong since it has a flow on effect in the growth areas of Casey (Dandenong is a major employment generator for residents within Casey).
In reality a number of the announcements made for Dandenong are in fact re-announcements of earlier commitments and in substance very little has actually been allocated to improving the station itself or for other public transport service improvements. The improvements to Dandenong include upgraded pedestrian paths, increased lightning and landscaping works, the actual station itself will not be improved.
As for Ringwood the Government and the bureaucracy have been surprisingly silent on Ringwood Station. Should Ringwood Station not be included within the Transport and Liveability Statement I believe there is a dire need for it to become an election issue in November.
I hope this answers your questions I’m happy to discuss any of this in further detail.
Thanks,
Alex