Westfield Knox tram: No sign of federal election support from Alan Tudge, Mary Doyle

A much-needed tram extension to a major Melbourne shopping centre is not getting any love from the area’s two main federal election candidates.

The Eastern Transport Coalition is pushing for a feasibility study for a tram extension to Ferntree Gully, via Westfield Knox, during the federal election campaign. File picture.

The head of a council-backed public transport advocacy group has called for the major parties to commit to an “essential” tram extension into Melbourne’s outer east before the federal election.

But the two main challengers for the federal seat of Aston have shown minimal or no support for progressing a long-mooted extension of the Route 75 tram from Vermont South to Upper Ferntree Gully, via Westfield Knox.

Liberal MP Alan Tudge declared the proposed project was not a priority for him in this year’s campaign, even though he would “love to see the tram extension to Knox”.

Aston federal Liberal MP Alan Tudge won’t be advocating for a tram extension to Westfield Knox during his federal election campaign. File picture.

Mr Tudge said he was instead focused on getting a Rowville tram link built, and progressing an extension of Dorset Rd from Ferntree Gully to Lysterfield, and the duplication of Napoleon Rd in Rowville.

“I’ve secured significant funding for these projects and I’ll continue to press the state government to get these built,” he said.

Labor’s Aston candidate Mary Doyle also didn’t specifically show support for a Route 75 tram extension, nor promise any funding.

But Ms Doyle said she would “ensure local public transport improvements are considered by an incoming Labor government” if she won the May 21 poll.

“The last Labor Government, with Anthony Albanese as Infrastructure Minister, committed more funding to urban rail infrastructure than all previous federal governments since federation combined,” she said.

“Labor has always been the party most committed to investing in public transport projects across Australia.”

Extension of the Route 75 tram has been a priority for the Eastern Transport Coalition, which consists of representatives from seven councils including Whitehorse and Knox, which the project would be based in.

ETC chair Stuart James said the project was again part of its federal election advocacy campaign and the group was pushing for a feasibility study.

“We believe that this is an essential extension to provide thousands of commuters with a direct link to both a popular shopping centre and to the heavy rail network,” Mr James said.

“The Covid pandemic has highlighted how critical local transport options for our communities.

“We acknowledge that other rapid transit options are emerging, such as trackless trams, and would welcome a commitment to a feasibility study on the best available solution.”

The Eastern Transport Coalition is pushing for an extension of the Route 75 from Vermont South. File picture.

The Route 75 tram was extended along Burwood Highway from Burwood East to Vermont South Shopping Centre in 2006, with a shuttle bus service introduced to take passengers to Westfield Knox.

Knox Council has long advocated for an extension as part of its integrated transport plan, while Ferntree Gully state Liberal MP Nick Wakeling pledged in January to focus on the project as part of his election campaign.

Deakin federal Liberal MP Michael Sukkar and Labor’s Deakin candidate Matt Gregg did not respond to questions.

Westfield Knox owners Scentre Group have been contacted for comment.