auditor general finds public transport coordination lacking

PRESS RELEASE

Auditor General finds public transport coordination lacking

Monday, 18 August 2014

The Eastern Transport Coalition last week applauded the Victorian Auditor-General’s report which called for better coordination of Melbourne’s public transport network.

In the report, Coordinating Public Transport, Auditor-General John Doyle said public transport services are poorly coordinated, and progress to improve this has been slow.

He also noted the deficiencies in the network have been identified in previous public transport audits over the past few years, but that action has been slow.

ETC Chairperson, Cr Peter Lockwood said the report highlighted what everyone who used public transport already knew - particularly his observations that “many bus services remain indirect and infrequent, with long wait times for connecting train services.”

“It’s such a shame because the system could be so much better. This is what commuters have been telling us and I expect we will hear more through our Better Buses survey which is currently underway,” Cr Lockwood said.

“The Auditor General has urged Public Transport Victoria to accelerate efforts to finalise plans for metropolitan trams and buses and regional transport services, and to develop measures that will assist co-ordination of services across different public transport modes.

“The ETC would urge the same. PTV has a Network Development Plan for trains but there is none for buses and there won't be until at least the end of the year.

“For the majority of residents in the eastern suburbs, buses are the most critical part of the public transport network where little or no other public transport options exist.”

Cr Lockwood said both the government and opposition needed to show their plans for improving bus services and a comprehensive plan that co-ordinated the entire network.

“Fixing Melbourne’s public transport problems will take money, effort, better performance monitoring and in some cases, brave action. It needs to start with a coordinated plan for improving all public transport across the state,” Cr Lockwood said.

To take part in the Commuters Count Better Buses survey, go to the ETC website.

build it now, we've waited long enough

Public transport priorities will be a major factor influencing votes at the upcoming State Election according to new research results released by the Eastern Transport Coalition as part of its Commuters Count election campaign.

Conducted by Essential Research, the Eastern Suburbs Transport Poll of more than 1000 residents in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, found that 64 per cent of residents rated improving and expanding public transport as a top or very high priority, and the majority of respondents surveyed said they were more likely to vote for a party that committed to building key rail projects.

Significantly, the research also found that three out of four people believe that the delivery of rail projects needs to be accelerated and delivered sooner than the 2025-50 schedule the State Government has currently set for Melbourne Metro, Doncaster Rail and Rowville Rail.

We've been waiting long enough for public transport projects in the east, residents aren't prepared to wait another couple of generations.

The survey revealed that people believe the current timing for major rail infrastructure projects is unacceptable, with 75 per cent saying Melbourne Metro, Doncaster and Rowville Rail should be built sooner.

How many more studies can we be subjected to, time to get on with the building, not the stalling.

Residents in Melbourne’s east have had enough of public transport plans and studies that don’t produce results because they are unfunded or pushed so far into the future that they are continually relegated to the bottom of the list.

Don't forget you can tell the ETC what you think on the Commuters Count facebook page or tweet us using #commuterscount.

 

Some selected highlights of the poll include:

• 64% think improving and expanding public transport is the top priority or very important ranking with education and above water, new roads and the environment
• Three-quarters of respondents believed that the rail projects should be built sooner - only 10% thought the timing was acceptable and a further 7% thought they did not need to be built at all.
• 69% agree that if all the projects are not built there will be serious impacts on traffic and quality of life in Melbourne while only 17% think that the transport system will cope until the Government can afford to build them.
• 55% believe it is similarly important for the State Government to invest in major road and rail projects. 
• 28% think the rail projects are more important and 14% think the East-West link is more important.
• There was strong support for Government investment in infrastructure. Only 18% think that it is more important for the Government to reduce their spending to return the budget to surplus.

belgrave hub survey out

Residents from Belgrave and surrounds will have received a survey in the mail for the proposed Belgrave Multi-purpose Hub Development.  The survey has been distributed to just under 8,000 residents and I'm keen to hear local views on the proposal. The survey is also available online here.

The proposed multi purpose building would be a focal point for the western entry into Belgrave (opposite St Thomas Mores). The hub will form part of Council’s Community Hubs strategy to develop high quality, multi-use, accessible community facilities that offer a range of programs and activities.

We anticipate the building hosting a whole range of services for the Belgrave and hills community which are currently being run at a variety of locations including the Tin Shed, Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief, Youth Services and Inspiro buildings.

A hub will bring everything together in the one place making it much easier for people to access the services they need.

Plans include community meeting rooms which can be hired out by individuals and groups. Outside there will be a community garden and an outdoor art space in a community park setting that reflects the Dandenong Ranges environment.

If you'd like to know more you can talk to council about the plans at two local drop in sessions being held next week.

 

Council Staff will be available outside the Commonwealth Bank on Burwood Highway on Thursday 28 February from 3pm until 5pm. 

They will also be at the Safeway Supermarket on Burwood Hwy on Friday 1 March from 10am until 12pm.

The two drop in dates will just be part of our consultation process along with the survey. Please note due date to return the survey is Friday 15 March.

Community hubs have already been constructed at Yarra Junction, Healesville and Monbulk with plans underway for a hub in conjunction with Japara Community House in Durham Rd Kilsyth and Kimberley Drive, Chirnside Park.
 

Yarra Ranges Council and Inspiro (former Ranges Community Health) are conducting the feasibility study on developing a multi-purpose building in Belgrave.

broadband survey - we want to know what you think

The Shire of Yarra Ranges, as part of our economic development strategy, is conducting the Yarra Ranges Broadband Economy Survey.

High speed broadband and connectivity are vital community amenities and fundamental to drive business innovation. The Shire of Yarra Ranges sees high speed broadband infrastructure that offers better than the current market offering for connectivity as an integral part of future economic and community development.

The study will determine how a broadband economy, through improved information and communications technology infrastructure and its use, will impact economic development and levels of community innovation in the Yarra Ranges.

This survey and study will also provide important information as part of the development of the Shire's forthcoming Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan.

I encourage you to have your say. You can complete the survey online or print out hard copies to complete. You can find out more by clicking here.

what do you think of your waterway?

The Queensland University of Technology and Victoria University are conducting a survey to find out what you think about the health of Victoria’s waterways, especially in your region.This survey is being conducted on behalf of the bodies responsible for the health of Victoria’s waterways;

* Victoria's Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs)

* Melbourne Water and

* Victoria's Department of Sustainability and Environment.

I just completed the survey, it's well worth doing although I found it frustrating that my comments were limited to a couple of waterways only. In an area like the Dandenong Ranges which is abundant with many waterways it was difficult to know which ones to focus on.

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According to QUT and VU the information provided in this survey will help Victorian government agencies to understand your views and take them into account when seeking to improve the health of Victoria’s waterways.

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This is your opportunity to tell the government what you think about your local waterways, lets hope that they take your views into account.

Visit: www.surveymonkey.com/myvicwaterway to complete your survey.