How can we make Victoria great? Higher road tolls, recycled water, new airport mapped out in 30-year plan

MOTORISTS would be paying higher tolls during peak times, householders would drink recycled water, and small rural schools shut in a 30-year plan to address Victoria’s pressing infrastructure needs.

A new Melbourne airport is needed according to the report. Picture: Tony Gough.

• East West Link decision haunts Premier Daniel Andrews

MOTORISTS would be paying higher tolls during peak times, householders would drink recycled water, and small rural schools shut in a 30-year plan to address Victoria’s pressing infrastructure needs.

The report also calls for a drastic end to Victoria’s coal-fired power stations — which employ thousands in the Latrobe Valley — a new airport link and a third international airport.

Tell us what you think: What are Victoria’s most pressing needs?

The Infrastructure Victoria foundation paper, All Things Considered, to be released tomorrow, recommends better bus services in growth areas with waiting time no longer than 20 minutes, seven days a week, from at least 6am to 9pm.

The report flags dedicated bike lanes for cyclists across Melbourne’s central business district and suggests following a number of European countries where vehicles are assumed to be at fault in all accidents with bicycles unless it can be proven otherwise.

The priority projects identified for Victoria.

It calls for more consideration be given to new railways stations in growing areas such as Truganina, Black Forest, Sayers, Davis and Dohertys roads and calls for upgrades to existing overcapacity stations.

The paper also wants all ­levels of government to consider new roads, rail, hospital, prisons and dams — as well as ­encouraging consumers to change their habits.

It says that future governments should consider the closure of rural schools, or share facilities where there is successive low enrolment/ ­attendance or decreasing growth forecasts.

A third international airport in Melbourne’s southeast is another project to be put on the agenda — as well as a new port to better meet demand to import goods into Victoria.

Projects needed to take Victoria to the next level.

Changing consumer habits is also a key focus, with the paper recommending overall pricing reviews to manage ­demand for travel at peak times across the entire transport network.

The report has been produced by a new body set up by Premier Daniel Andrews to advise him on future infrastructure needs, and recommend projects free from political judgments.

It warns no one project can fix Victoria’s surging infrastructure demand. “We know that there is no silver bullet,” the paper says.

“Options must be considered from different perspectives to fully understand their impacts.’’

A plan for dedicated bike lanes across Melbourne’s central business district is flagged in the report.

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