RACV lobbies Infrastructure Australia to prioritise outer suburban transport backlog

The RACV is urging Infrastructure Australia to list Melbourne’s outer suburbs as a priority project, as the city’s population outgrows its transport networks.

Victoria’s peak motoring association has called on authorities to fix a backlog of projects in Melbourne’s outer suburbs in a new submission to Infrastructure Australia.

The RACV has asked the body to consider regional road safety, outer suburban transport and Melbourne Metro 2 as Victoria’s next major concerns.

Infrastructure Australia is due to release its next list of priority projects early in 2020 and the list is often used to inform government spending.

RACV general manager of public policy Bryce Prosser.

RACV’s general manager of public policy, Bryce Prosser, said transport networks had fallen behind in areas of high population growth at the city’s edge.

“Inadequate public transport, gaps in the road network and congestion are creating barriers to mobility, including access to critical services, education and employment opportunities,” he said.

“RACV calls on the government to fund an ongoing program of outer-suburban transport projects to address missing links, increase capacity and improve safety, plus railway infrastructure projects to create new lines, extend the reach and capacity of existing lines and improve access and facilities at railway stations.”

The association has asked the body to include a priority cycling network for Melbourne and a renewed focus on regional cities in any updated Infrastructure Priority List.

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But Mr Prosser said the RACV also wanted to see a review of transport movements between the city’s East and West and detailed planning on a second Metro Tunnel.

“In 2017, Infrastructure Victoria identified that planning for Metro 2 should be completed by 2021,” he said.

“The RACV is calling for a new review of the East West corridor given the West Gate Tunnel and North East Link have progressed since the previous scheme was abandoned.

“We need to ensure that whatever projects are being built they are providing the best solution for all Victorians.”

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