Committee of Melbourne launch new transport report calling for new combined plan for city
One of the city’s most influential lobby groups says Melbourne should consider changing commuting hours and introducing congestion charges to cut down travel times and reduce traffic snarls.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of the city’s most influential lobby groups has urged the state and federal governments to explore road pricing and congestion levies as it calls for a new transport strategy to cut down travel times.
The Committee for Melbourne, will on Thursday release its report on the city’s road and rail system and has urged governments to work together on an integrated plan that blends travel with urban planning.
Among the recommendations are a proposal to charge motorists for distance travelled, instead of through petrol excise, and congestion-based levies to discourage unnecessary trips into the CBD.
The committee also floated incentives to let businesses and workers move around outside of peak hour, more planning for electric vehicles and reform of the way governments tender and fund infrastructure projects.
Committee of Melbourne chief executive Martine Letts said above all else it was vital authorities work together to rethink how movement around the city could be improved.
“Transport is almost like the weather, its one of everyone's most common topics of conversation,” she said.
“As Melbourne transitions on the road to recovery, investment certainty underpinned by a transport blueprint is as important as it ever was.
“It would have to be led by government but the main goal is to have everyone gathered around one table talking to one another with a clear plan.
“Options like road user pricing and changes to commuting … These are about making better use of what you’ve got.”
Ms Letts said the city’s growing western suburbs were a classic example of how things could be improved.
“The outward expansion of commercial and low-density residential development to the fringes of metropolitan Melbourne means that approximately 1.4 million Melburnians currently lack access to quality public transport,” she said.
“To see an improvement you sometimes have to retrofit transport options into areas after they’re completed and that’s very expensive.
“What we need is joined-up thinking.”
The report will be released in full on Thursday and for the first time its launch will be open to the public via video conference.
RACV senior transport manager Peter Kartsidimas said Victoria needed a more reliable and efficient transport network.
“Without an overarching plan, Victoria is at risk of committing to projects that fail to improve liveability, sustainability and productivity,” he said.
“It should guide the state’s transport decisions and safeguard our world renowned liveability.”