Category: Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC)

Eastern Transport Coalition meeting

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The Eastern Transport Coalition consists of seven outer eastern metropolitan councils (Maroondah, Knox, Whitehorse, Yarra Ranges, Manningham, Monash and Greater Dandenong) and is a regional based advocacy group that lobbies for better public transport in Melbourne’s outer east.

The Eastern Transport Coalition meets on a monthly basis to discuss the transport priorities of the region and to further its advocacy for public transport. I have been Maroondah’s delegated representative on the Eastern Transport Coalition since my initial election onto council in November 2005 and have been re-appointed as the delegate for 2009.

For more information on the Eastern Transport Coalition please visit www.etc.org.au.

Eastern Transport Coalition – final meeting for 2008

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The Eastern Transport Coalition comprises of Melbourne’s seven outer eastern councils and advocates for public transport improvements within the outer suburbs.

Tonight’s meeting discussed the recently released Victorian Transport Plan and the disappointment over the lack of consideration of projects within Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

While there are some positive aspects to the State Government’s plan, such as designating Ringwood as a Central Activity District and an implied recognition of the importance that public transport will have within these centres, there is unfortunately a lack of detail over infrastrucutre needs in the eastern suburbs or further bus upgrades.

New rail extensions to Rowville and Doncaster, coupled with improvements to bus services, would provide transport choice for Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and enhance the region’s economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Likewise transport services must be accessible for all people within our community. It is therefore critical that the State Government commits to redeveloping Ringwood Station into a safe and accessible transport interchange.

The Eastern Transport Coalition will be continuing to call on all levels of Government to commit to public transport improvements within Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Sustainable Melbourne Transport Forum

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As the Deputy Chair and Maroondah delegate of the Eastern Transport Coalition I was invited to present to a transport forum organised by the Australasian Centre for the Governance and Management of Urban Transport (GAMUT).

The forum was organised in response to the Government’s Victorian Transport Plan to identify common areas of agreement and discuss any particular aspects of concern. Each speaker discussed the need for further investment in public transport, particularly in regard to further suburban rail extensions and bus improvements.

On behalf of the Eastern Transport Coalition I discussed the need for planning around rail improvements in the eastern suburbs, namely the Rowville and Doncaster rail lines.

I also discussed the need for certainty around the infrastructure investments in the Central Activity Districts, particularly in regard to the public transport improvements that are required for Box Hill and Ringwood.

In addition I raised concerns over a reduction in the commitments made to the SmartBus network, despite the overwhelming response it has received through significant increases in patronage.

The SmartBus network was a key feature of the State Government’s 2006 transport plan, Meeting Our Transport Challenges. While Meeting Our Transport Challenges had its faults, the SmartBus network, which provides more frequent and longer operating bus services was positively received and record patronage increases have confirmed this.

In addition there has been a lack of further commitment towards upgrading bus frequencies and service spans. While investment and expansion of the rail network is important and definitely required it must be recognised that two thirds of Melbourne, including large parts of the outer eastern suburbs resides, beyond the rail network.

Lastly, I spoke about the Dandenong rail corridor and the lack of further commitment towards triplication of the Dandenong rail line. While debate exists about capacity constraints on the rail network, this project was seen as imperative just two years ago. If this situation has changed it is important that the government outlines how the Government has resolved these constraints and whether short-term improvements are possible.

While there are some positive steps in the State Government’s Victorian Transport Plan there is certainly a need for further commitments towards sustainability and public transport.

Maroondah Leader: Ringwood station on fast track

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The State Government has recently released an update to its Melbourne 2030 planning strategy in recognition of the need to prioritise investment in locations such as Ringwood.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the potential benefit this would provide in enhancing the case for the redevelopment of Ringwood station.

Councillor Alex Makin, a member of the Eastern Transport Coalition, said the Government’s recognition of Ringwood’s importance was encouraging.

The planning strategy, which has was complemented through the launch of the Victorian Transport Plan, has identified Ringwood as a Central Activity District with the aim of facilitating infrastructure investment.

“What this does is underpin the need for the upgrading of Ringwood station,” Cr Makin said.  “What we need now is a commitment in the Government’s transport plan to build upon the one made earlier this year.”

While $39 million has been allocated as ‘stage one’ of the Ringwood Station redevelopment, the current funding excludes works to the station itself.  This means that the current funding will not improve the accessibility of Ringwood Station, which currently fails disability compliance standards.

In recognition of Ringwood’s importance to the State Government’s transport and planning strategies, it is imperative that further funding is announced so that Ringwood Station becomes an accessible and safe transport interchange.

Delegates' Report: community inclusion, appreciating local history and recognising our many volunteers

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Thank you, as per previous months there are a few items I will be reporting on this evening:

On the 23rd of October I had a meeting with the Maroondah Skylarkers. The skylarkers is a group that delivers musical performances for senior citizens centres, nursing homes and retirement villages. The skylarkers are already booked out for their 2009 season, but are on the lookout for new members, so if anyone has musical and performing talents and would like to entertain our senior citizens please do consider speaking to the Maroondah Skylarkers.

Later on that afternoon I attended the Monkami Annual General Meeting. Monkami is a non-profit service provider for people with an intellectual disability. Monkami is unique in that is has an emphasis on community inclusion and the centre funds a community inclusion officer to ensure strong connections with the community.

Monkami is involved in a number of community projects, including the highly successful Monkami Drama Group, which has performed two seasons of its Titanic Resunk production, as well as partnerships with Croydon Secondary College and Arts Out East, which includes an exhibition from a number of community groups and will be held between the 21st and 23rd of November.

In addition Monkmai has developed an office administration course, which includes customer service, administrative and computer skills. Through this course, Monkami is exploring the possibility of work placements for these students to demonstrate the capabilities of their students. Two of the students showcased the presentation skills they learnt and their computing and PowerPoint skills were exemplary. Centres like Monkami prove that all people have abilities and it is important that we provide opportunities for these skills to be valued and acknowledged with our community.

On the 6th of November I attended the Eastern Access Community Health Annual General Meeting. EACH is a community based health provider that continues to go from strength to strength.

The guest speaker was human rights advocate Julian Gardiner, who spoke about the need to break down the systemic human rights inequities. Systemic inequities prevent people from recognising their full potential and hamper the delivery of an inclusive society. Organisations like EACH, through its holistic approach to health and wellbeing, as well as Monkami help address this disadvantage.

On the 8th of November I attended the Ringwood and District Historical Society’s bus tour of Ringwood East. The tour included thirteen stops highlighting the history of Ringwood East and explaining the stories behind locations such as Burnt Bridge and the region’s early mining and brick manufacturing industries.

The historical weekend continued through the 9th of November where I attended the Launch of Ringwood East Collections. The book captures some of the memories of Ringwood East through the retelling of thirty-five stories. The book is available for purchase through the Ringwood and District Historical Society and the group is already planning the recollections of Ringwood North, which is due in 2010.

On the 13th of November I was invited, as the Deputy Chair of the Eastern Transport Coalition, to participate in a panel discussion as part of the Victorian Transport Infrastructure Summit. The discussion provided an opportunity to highlight the strong support for better public transport in the eastern suburbs, where the majority of respondents surveyed through the ETC believed that governments were not giving sufficient priority to the provision of public transport.

On the 14th of November I attended the annual performance of Enjoying Planned Retirement’s Spotlighters. I spoke about Spotlighters last year and it was great to see at least one other councillor attending this year’s performance. EPR’s Spotlighters mixes music, singing, acting, tapdancing, comedy and theatre into an extremely polished musical production. Spotlighters is an entertaining event and I do look forward to the 2009 season.

On the 13th of November I attended Maroondah’s Volunteer Recognition Evening and I would like to commend the many people that devote their time to creating a better and more inclusive community. Volunteers are the strength of any society and it is great to see an ongoing interest in people wanting to devote their time to volunteer and community activities.

Lastly, I would like to thank the many community groups and individuals that I have met over the past three years. It is wonderful that we have many committed people within Maroondah and I do wish each and everyone well.

Victorian Transport Infrastructure Summit 2008

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This afternoon I was invited to participate within a panel discussion for the 2008 Victorian Transport Infrastructure Summit. This year’s summit had an emphasis on sustainable transport and the need for a coordinated approach from all levels of government.

As the Deputy Chair of the Eastern Transport Coalition, I discussed our recent survey results which demonstrated that residents within the eastern suburbs overwhelmingly support the call for better public transport.

In addition over two-thirds of respondents believed that governments were not giving sufficient priority to the provision of public transport. In support of this view, the majority of people stated they would use public transport if it were adequately provided.

The message from Eastern Melbourne is clear – the one million residents of Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs want governments of all levels to work cooperatively to provide better public transport.

Eastern Transport Coalition – submission to Infrastructure Australia

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Tonight I attended the last Eastern Transport Coalition for this current council term. The meeting discussed the ETC’s terms of reference and processes to assist in guiding the member councils and to reaffirm the ETC’s aims of advocating for sustainable transport improvements.

The meeting also discussed the ETC’s recent submission to Infrastructure Australia, which aims to encourage the Federal Government to invest in urban public transport, particularly within Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs.

As we enter times of economic uncertainty, coupled with rising petrol prices, it is imperative that the Federal Government invest significantly within urban public transport to ensure to provide transport choice and to enhance people’s mobility. Public transport infrastructure, such as rail duplications, the Rowville and Doncaster rail lines, would mitigate traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse emissions while also boosting the economic capacity of the eastern region.

The Federal Government has announced that it will fast-track its infrastructure commitments and it is clear that public transport projects must be part of this program to ensure a sustainable and accessible future for Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Media Release: ETC releases short term public transport project list

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The Eastern Transport Coalition has delivered a plan on behalf of one million eastern suburban residents direct to the Premier of Victoria in response to a request made by John Brumby and Public Transport Minister Lyn Kosky at a recent community cabinet meeting held at Ringwood

The submission highlights a wide range of short term projects that will help public transport deprived residents increase their public transport options and usage.

Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that the first submission concentrated on a number of large critical projects but that the Premier and Public Transport Minister were also interested in a range of smaller projects for consideration in the development of the Metropolitan Transport Plan.

“We know that in the eastern suburbs three out of five people would consider getting out of their cars if they had decent public transport options.

“Public transport usage in the majority of local municipalities is very low, at around 3 to 7 per cent compared with a much higher rate in other parts of Melbourne. This makes it clear that we need a generational step up in public transport.”

“The State Government needs to deliver public transport improvements so that families in the outer suburbs are provided with the choice to catch frequent, readily available and accessible public transport services”, Alex Makin Maroondah’s representative on the Eastern Transport Coalition said. “The Government must commit to these short-term priorities, including the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an accessible transport interchange, frequency improvements on the rail lines beyond Ringwood and substantial bus improvements.”

“If the State Government includes our short, medium and long term projects in the Metropolitan Transport Plan then we will eventually have all the public transport options we need to dramatically reduce congestion, to protect our families from rising fuel prices and to negate rising greenhouse gas emissions,” Cr Van De Vreede concluded.

The ETC’s plan which is available at www.etc.org.au includes the following suggestions;

  • Upgrades to major public transport interchanges with an initial focus on Transit Cities such as Ringwood and Dandenong.
  • Increased off peak frequency on Belgrave / Lilydale lines
  • The immediate undertaking of full feasibility studies for Rail to Rowville and Doncaster and the duplication of the Belgrave/Lilydale rail lines.
  • Bringing forward the SmartBus network so that it is complete by the end of 2009
  • Bus routes into new and existing estates, including Warranwood and Canterbury Road between Ringwood and Box Hill
  • Tram 75 extended to Knox City and Tram 48 extended to Doncaster
  • Bus priority measures along Springvale Road, Stud Road, Cheltenham Road, Wellington Road, Doncaster Road, Hoddle Street and within the CBD
  • Immediate extension of free early bird tickets to buses and trams

For media inquiries please contact Alex Makin on 0408 311 645

– ENDS –

Eastern Transport Coalition – presenting the short-term priorities of the region

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Tonight’s Eastern Transport Coalition finalised a report into the short-term priorities of the eastern region. This report, which was requested by Premier John Brumby, presents the projects required by the eastern region to assist in mitigating rising petrol prices and worsening traffic congestion.

These priorities, such as a new bus route for Canterbury Road, which would travel between Ringwood and Box Hill, and further improvements to bus service frequencies and operating spans, as well as pedestrian priority measures across Maroondah Highway, can be implemented in the short term and assist in providing transport choice across the eastern region. These projects need to be reinforced by longer term investment in the region, such as the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and new rail lines for Doncaster and Rowville, which would drastically reduce car dependency across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The State Government’s transport strategy, which will be released in November this year, must deliver public transport improvements across Melbourne and deliver the necessary infrastructure to our outer suburbs. After several attempts at a long term transport strategy, including the clearly insufficient Meeting Our Transport Challenges, which was released in 2006, the State Government must finally deliver real public transport improvements and provide immediate relief to rising petrol prices and improve the accessibility and sustainability of our outer suburbs.

The Eastern Transport Coalition’s short-term priorities for the eastern region will be delivered to the Premier’s office on Friday.

Channel 7 news: discussing the transport needs of eastern Melbourne

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As the State Government develops yet another transport plan, the Eastern Transport Coalition has been outlining the public transport projects required to provide transport choices for Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Projects such as the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, track duplications, new rail lines to Doncaster and Rowville, tram extensions to Doncaster and Knox and vastly improved bus services, are required to ensure that residents of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs are able to use frequent, efficient and readily available public transport services.

As the Deputy Chair of the Eastern Transport Coalition I was interviewed by channel seven news to highlight the importance of public transport within the government’s forthcoming transport plan.

[flv]http://www.alexmakin.com.au/videos/20080909-ch7-etc.flv[/flv]

Ringwood, as a regional centre, urgently requires funding for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station to create a sustainable, accessible and vibrant and urban centre. The State Government must address the transport needs of the region through its upcoming transport plan.