rowville rail benefits many

New study shows Rowville Rail benefits will far outweigh its costs

The Eastern Transport Coalition has welcomed the findings of a new economic impact study, which shows that the proposed Rowville rail line would significantly increase local employment and economic growth.

The study had been commissioned by Knox Council to measure the costs and benefits the project could be expected to generate.

The Victorian Government’s Rowville Rail study, released in March this year found that building the rail line was feasible and that once built, it would be well-used with an estimated 68,000 passengers per day.

It will also provide an essential link to Monash University, which is growing year by year and whose students are in desperate need of improved public transport.

This new study supports those finding and in fact quantifies the growth that the Knox area can expect and the flow-on effects for the broader Victorian economy.”

The report, conducted by SGS Economics and Planning, found that the rail line would result in the creation of around 280 jobs in the south east of Melbourne by 2021, and allow for an additional 410 households to be created in Knox by the same year.

It found that a rail line would accelerate overall economic growth in the region and in the 50 year period from 2021, it would provide an estimated $5 billion in environmental and economic savings, which is well above the $2.89 billion cost of constructing the project.

In the southern parts of Knox, where 90 per cent of residents rely of cars to access employment, a rail line would help to reduce road congestion and the impact of increasing fuel price on household budgets.

Given that Knox was a developed area, the growth projections were positive.

The study shows that a rail line to Rowville would deliver a moderate economic stimulus to the region, which would flow-on to benefit the whole state.

But when you are talking about delivering crucial public infrastructure, the focus shouldn't just be about economic benefits. There are social and environmental benefits that must not be ignored. This report shows that Rowville rail can deliver them all.

knox transit link?

A study completed by the Public Transport Users Association has revealed what long suffering commuters have known for some time, gaping holes and huge wait times on the Knox Transit Link, the shuttle bus service that links Knox City with the tram service at Vermont South.

Given that Knox City is a major activity centre it is critical that public transport services provide good linkages so people can travel via public transport rather than jump in the car. The PTUA Study shows that commuters are generally left waiting at least 15 minutes for connecting services.

The bus service is supposed to make up for the service that should have been provided by the promised extension to the Vermont South tram service. But what happens on the ground leaves commuters stranded waiting for buses to connect to trams or waiting for trams to connect to buses. This lack of connectivity is yet another barrier to people using public transport, hopefully the new Coalition government will start to provide public transport that people want to use.

And what of the people travelling to Knox City from Belgrave, well if you're travelling from Belgrave you'll need to take either the train, then a bus, or two buses. But if you're travelling from beyond Belgrave then add another bus to your trip. Is it any wonder that the people in the Dandenong Ranges are completely car dependent.

Let's hope we see a real commitment from the Coalition government to make public transport a priority. I hope that the implementation of a Public Transport Authority will see a level of coordination that will at least fix the connectivity problems commuters face on a daily basis.

As chairperson of the Eastern Transport Coalition I will continue to advocate for better public transport on behalf of our communities, we deserve nothing less.

Thanks to the PTUA for their study information.

samantha in the press - green wedge

Paradise saved
Mail Newspapers
by Russell Bennett
1 Feb 2011

glenfern valley subdivision - yarra ranges submits

I have had many people, both from the municipalities of Yarra Ranges and Knox, talk to me about the proposed sub division of land known as the Glenfern Cattle Run in the City of Knox. They are all concerned about the proposal that would see this iconic and heritage piece of land sub divided into 7 lots.

The Glenfern Cattle run is an iconic piece of land, it is a hard edge of Green Wedge land and signals you are entering the Dandenong Ranges.

A group of community members are fighting the subdivision proposal, you can visit them on facebook here.

The Yarra Ranges Council was asked to provide comment on the proposal as the land abuts the shire boundary and takes in some of the overlays from Yarra Ranges.

These are some of the concerns Yarra Ranges highlighted:
The access to Lot 3 and Lot 6 is odd, for Lot 3 it would result in a driveway that runs along the extent of New Road and there seems a potential for vegetation impacts to trees in the paddock and along the road reserve for 120 metres.
The proposed building envelopes are excessive in size and appear to be in contradiction to the purpose of the Green Wedge Zone, in particular protecting and conserving land for its agricultural and landscape values.
The impact of the building envelopes on the landscape values under the Significant Landscape Overlay are also a concern.
The plans are unclear in respect of impact on native vegetation across the site.

If you want to know more about the subdivision you can contact the City of Knox and quote application number: P/2010/6111, subdivision of land into seven lots, location 157-173 Glenfern Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully 3156.