EAST-WEST LINK NEEDS ASSESSMENT

STUDY OVERVIEW BY SIR ROD EDDINGTON Foreword

Transport is critical to the future success of Victoria. While the Monash – CityLink – West Gate To maintain our economic success and the liveability Improvement Package announced in the of our State, we must continue to create efficient Meeting Our Transport Challenges Statement will and sustainable ways for people and freight to move improve capacity on that route, further network across Victoria. improvements are required to meet Melbourne’s and Victoria’s long-term needs. The assessment The Premier has asked me to lead a needs will investigate and make recommendations to the assessment into an east-west link across Melbourne. Government on a wide range of options, including I have accepted this challenge because I believe this the capability of linking to possible transit services assessment is of critical importance to the ongoing along the Eastern Freeway, new bus services and economic success of Melbourne and Victoria. public transport interchanges. A task such as this one is not new to me. Over Matters that the investigation will consider include: the past eighteen months, I have been engaged by the UK Government to report on the long-term Public transport opportunities link between transport and economic productivity, Enhanced freight access growth and stability. I have looked at experiences Urban amenity around the world and it is evident that a high standard of transport infrastructure is essential to Road network connectivity economic development. Benefits to the Victorian economy Many of the challenges I have seen in the UK are Traffic congestion the same the world over. Here in Victoria – as in Costs and funding options many other parts of the world – those challenges I intend to deliver a report that sets out practical, are reflected in the tension between urban amenity workable and achievable options. To do this, I want to and traffic demands, significant population and be clear from the start about what’s in and what’s out freight growth, congestion affecting public transport of the assessment. This Study Brief provides some and, of course, the strong and proper desire of the background to the task, sets out the assessment’s community to protect the environment. geographical parameters and includes an outline of The East-West Link Needs Assessment is about the key issues I want to canvass with the community, working out the next steps to take to address the industry and government. I have included a brief growing demand for personal, business and freight discussion on the important question of how to finance travel across Melbourne. It is about identifying any options arising from the assessment. Finally, I have workable solutions, in real time frames. attached a summary of the key Victorian Government policies that are relevant to the assessment. Central to the assessment is the recognition that Melbourne is heavily reliant on the Monash In undertaking the assessment, I will consult with – CityLink – West Gate corridor as the only major a wide range of stakeholders. I invite you to make east-west road link to support travel between the a submission to the study (see page 12) and industrial and residential growth areas to the west provide your views about the issues and how they and south-east of Melbourne. I believe this corridor might be addressed. will not be adequate to serve travel needs arising I look forward to hearing from you. from further economic development and population and jobs growth. But more importantly, it will not deliver the economic benefits that Victoria should expect from a comprehensive and well functioning transport network. Rod Eddington

 Terms of reference

Review of East-West transport needs Scope of the review With specific reference to an additional east-west Background transport corridor, Sir Rod Eddington will inquire into Efficient and sustainable transport systems are and report on: fundamental to supporting a diversified and growing economy and to connecting communities 1. Current transport volumes and patterns, and the across Victoria. This is reflected in the Victorian likely changes to these volumes and patterns Government’s vision for the State, Growing Victoria over the next 30 years, including the impact of Together, which emphasises the need for ongoing Melbourne 2030, other Government policies and investment in public transport and roads, while anticipated economic growth. protecting the environment for future generations. 2. The capacity of existing and planned Over the last ten years, there have been two major infrastructure to meet these future transport east-west road developments in Melbourne: requirements. 3. How to balance the needs of freight traffic with The linking of the Monash and West Gate the needs of residents in areas adjacent to Freeways, and freight movements. Western and Metropolitan ring roads. 4. Development of options to address capacity The majority of east-west traffic is carried on constraints and future demand, future needs these two links, which experience significant of port and associated commercial traffic congestion during peak periods. Currently, this including the Government’s 30/2010 target, and congestion represents 60 per cent of Melbourne’s opportunities for public transport in the corridor. total freeway congestion. 5. In developing options, consideration will be Concurrently, it is expected that container given to a range of measures to meet future traffic through the Port of Melbourne will increase demands. Contribution to the achievement of significantly by 2035. The majority of this traffic Growing Victoria Together transport targets will will be imports, which require substantially different also be considered as part of the assessment. distribution networks to those required to support 6. Funding issues, including sequencing of projects export traffic. according to public and private funding capacity, and the capacity of the construction industry to The Monash – CityLink – West Gate Improvement deliver. Package announced in the Meeting Our Transport Challenges statement will enhance capacity over the Community and stakeholder consultation will be next four to five years. However, it is estimated that undertaken as part of the review. A final report will be full capacity will be reached within 2 decades. submitted for consideration by Government. Public transport must continue to be a priority for current and future Victorian governments. At present, east-west public transport links north of the Melbourne CBD are limited, an issue which is being addressed in Meeting Our Transport Challenges by the introduction of such initiatives as the Smart Bus Expansion project and other improvements to bus services and rail capacity upgrades. In this context, the long term transport requirements of an additional east-west corridor need to be assessed and options developed to meet future demand.

East-West Link Needs Assessment  Background to the study

Melbourne’s early urban development was Looking forward, Melbourne’s population of based around its extensive railway and tramway 3.5 million is projected to grow by up to one systems, with houses within walking distance of million people or 620,000 households by 2030. railway stations or tram stops, and employment Up to 400,000 additional persons are anticipated concentrated in the inner suburbs. to be housed in the city’s growth areas to the west and south east – areas that are served by the Since the 1950s, the growth in the use of private Monash-CityLink-West Gate corridor. Figure 1 shows cars has enabled the development of suburbs and population projections for Melbourne. communities between the city’s rail and tram lines, following a pattern of low density residential areas In the years ahead, Victoria will need to manage this and dispersed centres for employment, business, strong population growth to maintain our State’s shopping and other activities. reputation for liveability. We will also need to make sure Victoria has the right infrastructure in place Over the coming decades, strong growth is to sustain a growing economy and to create new expected to continue in Melbourne’s outer suburbs. employment, business and investment opportunities Significant jobs growth is also projected in areas across the State. Efficient, sustainable transport around the city’s CBD and in the outer south- connections across Melbourne will be critical to eastern and western suburbs.1 These patterns of meeting these challenges. growth will create increasing demand for cross-town commuting and freight movements, placing greater Melbourne’s unique geography – surrounding strain on Melbourne’s cross-city links. Port Phillip Bay – means that options for east-west movement of goods and people are limited and that As travel demands grow, public transport will the increasing demands on the Monash – CityLink become increasingly important in reducing the – West Gate corridor will be unsustainable in number of trips made by car and alleviating future years. This poses particular challenges and congestion on Melbourne’s roads. Today, of problems in building an efficient transport network journey-to-work trips, around 80 per cent involve across Melbourne. travel by car, although more than 13 per cent include travel by public transport.2 While the The Victorian Government recognises the Victorian Government is strongly committed to importance to Victoria’s future of good transport improving public transport options, significant systems and has made a substantial investment challenges remain in meeting the demands of a in transport infrastructure across the State. The growing and prosperous State. Government also recognises the vital importance of the Monash – CityLink – West Gate corridor and is Critical to Victoria’s economic strength is the making a major investment through the Meeting Our efficient and sustainable movement of goods and Transport Challenges statement to improve capacity, services into, around and across the State. Very reduce accidents, improve travel times and reduce large volumes of goods come through the Port of congestion along the corridor. Melbourne, which is situated on the doorstep of the Melbourne CBD. Strong growth in container traffic At the same time, the Government is seeking an through the Port over the next 30 years will add to independent examination of the issues and options the demand for travel on the city’s east-west links. involved in developing another east-west link across Melbourne to provide a strong and sustainable foundation for Victoria’s future population and economic growth.

1 Access Economics (2005) Workforce Participation in Victoria 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Journey to Work in the Melbourne Statistical Division 2001

 Background to the study 1 d 3 e h t 0 t % % % a 2 % % % % % w 5 4 9 6 4 7 8 1 m o 0 9 3 i r 6 6 3 1 3 t 2 1 1 g s 65,000 13,000 2001- E 130,000 0 2 8 0 8 6 2 8 1 7 7 1 0 0 2 3 1 3 0 9 0 3 2 8 1 4 , , , , , , , , 0 0 8 1 8 8 0 4 6 2 5 3 6 3 0 0 9 8 3 5 1 1 2 3 1 1 , , 3 4 5 2 5 6 6 3 0 7 6 8 2 3 3 8 4 8 5 1 1 2 4 9 9 7 9 9 , , , , , , , , 0 5 0 6 2 3 6 9 4 2 0 6 1 6 5 5 6 9 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 , , 3 4 0 7 2 8 6 0 0 1 1 6 0 6 1 8 3 1 4 0 5 2 5 1 9 8 0 1 , , 0 , , , , , , 9 2 2 1 8 5 2 7 7 4 7 8 1 3 5 4 8 8 4 1 1 1 , , 2 3 n uture 2004 h a t F t i l w s o o a r p e G r o e a r a e t n m e , Victoria in r n e r a E a s r i e u e h M u n n h l y o i e t t l o d o t e t b d a b o i n l l l m r s t l Population projections in Melbourne’s growth Population y h e e e l a a u o Source: DS M M C W C W H A T M Municipalities Cardinia t Casey r o P n r este W Whittlesea 20 km H Bay t Phillip r 10 o P NORT Hume y r 0 Melton y r Wyndham Urban Growth Bounda LGA bounda Growth area Urban area Figure 1. Metropolitan growth areas Source: Department of Infrastructure 2006

Background to the study East-West Link Needs Assessment  Study parameters

Geographic area Key issues The study area for the East-West Link Needs Whilst the East-West Link Needs Assessment will Assessment will extend from the Western Ring Road seek community and industry input about the at the Deer Park Bypass to east of Hoddle Street at issues they believe are most critical, a number of the Eastern Freeway. key issues are commonly accepted and will be canvassed by the study. While there are other segments of the transport network that may warrant examination, the East- These issues include: West Link Needs Assessment aims to be a highly Public transport opportunities focused study with realistic parameters both in scope and time. The assessment should be viewed The efficient and sustainable movement of freight as one part of Victoria’s future ‘transport jigsaw’ Improving urban amenity – but a very important part. Providing a connected road network While focused in its scope, the study will consider Supporting the continuing strong growth of the the many external influences that impact on the Victorian economy specific geographic area. For example, in relation to Protecting our environment and ensuring long freight transport, this will include an understanding term liveability about the impact of the movement of freight across What works well in other cities and any lessons for the city and State, as well as from interstate and Victoria international sources. Alignment with existing Government strategies for Victoria’s future development Land use opportunities Responding to increasing traffic congestion Technical feasibility and community acceptance of options proposed How to pay for any options Within its parameters, the study will also identify and consider community-based and localised transport issues that impact on Victorians’ everyday lives. A few of the key issues are discussed in the following section.

 Figure 2. Melbourne’s major road network

Bulla and Sunbury Rd

Hume Fwy

Tullamarine Fwy EPPING BROADMEADOWS Metropolitan Ring Rd

Calder Fwy SYDENHAM

Western Fwy

Sydney Rd Sydney CityLink Western Ring Rd

Maroondah Hwy Western Fwy Eastern Freeway Indicative Study Area Ballarat Rd Princes St Deer Park Bypass Fton Rd (under construction) FOOTSCRAY Dynon Rd RINGWOOD St

Somerville Rd Footscray Rd Royal Pde Cotham Rd

Nicholson Hoddle St Whitehorse Rd Kings Rd Victoria St

Victoria St St Church Francis St Whitehorse Rd Geelong Rd

Kings Way BOX HILL West Gate Fwy CityLink Toorak Rd Queens Rd Toorak Rd Burwood Hwy

Punt Rd Princes Hwy

EastLink (under construction)

Burwood Hwy

East-W Princes Fwy

WERRIBEE Monash Fwy e Nepean Fwy st Link Link st

Nee Princes Hwy ds ds

A PORT PHILLIP BAY ss

e DANDENONG ssm e nt nt

Legend Transit City EastLink Major Roads Central Activities District

Indicative Study Area CityLink Major Freeways/Highways Urban Area  Public transport opportunities The efficient and sustainable movement of freight The Victorian Government has made clear that Melbourne is the international and domestic freight improved public transport is one of its key priorities hub for south-east Australia. and has recently made a substantial commitment to The Port of Melbourne, Australia’s largest and busiest improving Victoria’s public transport network through container port, currently handles almost 40 per cent3 the Meeting Our Transport Challenges statement. of the nation’s container trade. The Port, together As part of a much larger commitment to transport with associated rail and transport precincts, utilises initiatives, the Government will inject $1.4 billion over an extensive network of road and rail connections ten years to develop a cross-town public transport and transport terminals. It forms one of the nation’s network for Melbourne, with projects such as the most important freight infrastructure assets. This SmartBus expansion, the Doncaster bus upgrade, freight hub serves key freight markets in metropolitan and improvements to local metropolitan bus Melbourne and regional Victoria as well as Tasmania, services. These projects will be supported by the South Australia and regional New South Wales. boosting of capacity on Melbourne’s rail network, The Port of Melbourne and the Dynon Hub precinct and other improvements to train and tram services. are collectively described as Melbourne Port@L. Within the study area, a significant proportion of Major growth is forecast for port shipping trade, existing public transport shares road space with with international container trade projected to other traffic. During the peak periods, congestion increase fivefold by 20354. creates delays for public transport users, and limits the efficiency of the transport system, which is an Figure 3 shows the key business and industrial ongoing challenge requiring innovative responses. areas (Port of Melbourne, Braybrook/Derrimut/ Altona, Dandenong and Broadmeadows/Somerton) With the number of people who live in Melbourne’s that will generate and attract this freight, together west forecast to grow dramatically over the coming with routes that are already heavily used by freight ten years, there will also be new demands for vehicles. A large proportion of Melbourne’s freight access to efficient public transport to service the task, currently estimated at almost 200 million needs of the growth areas. tonnes per annum, is directed towards the transport The study will consider opportunities for the of goods between these key freight, business and development and integration of public transport industrial areas. along the corridor, and how cross-town services as Articulated truck travel is projected to double, while well as access to the Footscray Transit City and the light commercial vehicle travel will increase by more CBD might be supported. than 60 per cent in the fifteen years from 2005 to 20205. The study will make recommendations to the This projected increase in the freight task, together Government on a range of options, including light with projections of increased traffic congestion, has rail services along the Eastern Freeway, new bus the potential for significant negative flow-on effects services and interchanges, and other potential for the efficiency of land-based freight transport in solutions. Melbourne. Beyond 2015, there are potential issues for freight movement across the West Gate Bridge associated with the likely growth in the importance of Webb Dock as a major international container terminal.

3 Port of Melbourne Corporation (2006) Port Development Plan 2006-2035 Consultation Draft August 2006 Melbourne 4 Department of Infrastructure (2006) Melbourne Port@L Strategy – Consultation Draft Melbourne 5 Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (2004) Predicting Traffic Growth in Australian Cities Canberra

 Dandenong Broadmeadows/ Somerton Proposed Roads Railways Raliway Stations Rivers Lakes Port of Port Melbourne Major Freight Activity Centre (FAC) Medium FAC Major Freight Routes Medium Freight Routes Declared Roads Major Freight Activity Centre (FAC) Medium FAC High Freight Medium Freight Routes Declared Roads Proposed Roads Railways Raliway Stations Rivers Lakes Legend Braybrook/ Derrimut/ Altona Figure 3. Freight routes and business/industrial areas Figure 3. Freight

East-West Link Needs Assessment  Improving urban amenity Whilst it is critical for the city to continue to In most major cities, there is tension between urban develop its transport infrastructure, this does not amenity and traffic demands. necessarily mean building more road-space to relieve peak–period commuter congestion. People getting to Melbourne’s unique geography, with its focus around work should be provided with efficient travel options, Port Phillip Bay, means that traffic movements are and it is important to encourage other travel patterns. funnelled through the inner suburbs. The challenge For instance, the Government introduced a parking is to protect and enhance the liveability of these levy with the aim of reducing congestion in the Central suburbs, while preserving the overall economic Business District. growth of Victoria. The study will need to consider ways of protecting the In 2003, around 70,000 vehicles per weekday entered amenity of inner suburbs and the CBD from growth in the inner northern suburbs from the Eastern Freeway car-based commuter travel. This would be consistent (140,000 vehicles per day two-way)6. Traffic volumes with the Government’s objective of having 20 per cent are expected to increase when the Eastern Freeway of motorised trips on public transport by 2020. is connected to the EastLink project in 2008. In particular, the number of freight vehicles is expected Providing a connected road network to increase as the result of improved connections to Lack of capacity and vulnerability of business and industrial areas. Monash – CityLink – West Gate corridor Current traffic congestion at the western end of the The 75km long Monash – CityLink – West Gate Eastern Freeway, particularly in morning peak periods, Freeway corridor is the only freeway-standard road causes many motorists to avoid this area and use from the west to the south east of Melbourne and is parallel routes. This ‘rat-running’ often results in part of the AusLink National Network. The corridor undesirable traffic impacts on residential streets. plays a vital role in linking the Port of Melbourne with major industrial areas and linking Melbourne with Current commitments for transport infrastructure regional Victoria and interstate. It is also a key link are significant, but further investment will be needed between major residential and employment areas. so that: The Monash – CityLink – West Gate corridor is to traffic congestion is managed, and peak period undergo substantial upgrading, which will include conditions don’t extend over more hours of the day; measures to increase the peak-hour capacity of the tram and bus services are able to achieve improved West Gate Bridge, separation of through and local travel times traffic flows near the CityLink tunnels and widening the risk of accidents on main roads through inner from Burnley to Endeavour Hills. urban areas is reduced; However, while this upgrade will address current heavy vehicles can reduce their use of such roads issues, the longer term transport demands arising as Somerville Road and Francis Street, and the in the corridor from business and residential amenity of the Footscray/Yarraville area, including development will require further development of the Footscray Transit City, can be enhanced so that east-west capacity. residents’ needs can be balanced against the needs of heavy vehicles on such roads; environmental impacts of noise, diesel fumes and vibrations can be reduced; and further opportunities are provided for pedestrians and cyclists

6 Department of Infrastructure (2003) Northern Central City Corridor Study Scenario Appraisal Report Melbourne

10 Significantly, road users right across Melbourne rely Through Meeting our Transport Challenges, on the smooth operation of this critical east-west the Victorian Government recently announced link. In today’s world, it is not prudent to rely so investment of more than $10 billion over 10 years in heavily on one major transport corridor. Traffic delays the State’s transport network. Despite this historic frequently demonstrate this point and alternative level of investment, substantial additional investment options need to be identified and developed. will be required to continue to improve Victoria’s transport infrastructure. Lack of network connectivity of Eastern Freeway corridor For a corridor of such important economic Until 2000, four major freeways (Tullamarine, significance, Australian Government funding through West Gate, Eastern and Monash) terminated in AusLink is appropriate. Melbourne’s inner suburbs. For many hours of However, alternative funding strategies will have the day, extensive queuing was the norm, with to be considered in order for an east-west link the attendant driver frustration and commercial to become a real possibility. Around the world, inefficiency. governments are using a range of options to The completion of Melbourne City Link, which make these large-scale investments, recognising provided high standard connections between the that public funding alone will not be sufficient to West Gate Freeway, the Monash Freeway and the deliver important transport infrastructure in a timely Tullamarine Freeway, changed the transport patterns fashion. These options include tolls – the method of of Melbourne and for the first time, provided a delivering most major urban road projects costing freeway-standard east-west passage for road traffic more than $500 million in Australia in the last 10 across Melbourne. years. Also as required under AusLink, the Victorian Government will need to explore private sector The Eastern Freeway is the remaining freeway funding options. terminating on the arterial street system in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. This freeway is subject The East-West Link Needs Assessment will seek to extensive traffic queuing in morning peak hours. It community and industry input into potential funding does not provide the network connectivity benefits of options, address the cost of any recommended the Monash, West Gate and Tullamarine Freeways, proposals and provide strategies for funding these which cater far more effectively for regional Victorian proposals. and metropolitan cross-town travel.

Paying for future options Central to the viability of any options recommended by the assessment is the question of how they will be funded. Major transport projects are always costly. Because of the fully developed urban character of the study area, and the desire to protect and enhance its amenity, potential proposals will almost certainly have a very large capital cost. The costs are likely to be significantly greater than CityLink or EastLink. For example, if the assessment’s final proposals include extensive tunnelling (to enable traffic to be removed from surface streets), the costs are likely to run to billions of dollars.

East-West Link Needs Assessment 11 The next steps

Study process Confidential submissions The study team will consider submissions from Persons wishing to make a confidential submission all interested parties and undertake extensive should be aware of the implications of the Freedom consultations. Sir Rod Eddington will then prepare of Information Act 1983. While the study team a final report containing recommendations for will respect the wishes of anyone requesting consideration by Government. confidentiality, the application of the Freedom of Information Act is ultimately outside the control of Formal planning process the study team. Accordingly, if there are particular reasons why you do not wish to have your An Environment Effects Statement (EES) process submission published or disclosed, please let the may be required if the study advances to the point of study team know before sending it. Government decision-making on options. Any such EES process would also provide for stakeholder and community input. Contacts For further information, please contact: Key dates Phone Submissions and consultation (03) 9095 4159 March 2007 to May 2007 Facsimile (03) 9095 4172 How to make a submission Interested stakeholders are invited to make Email submissions from now until May 2007. All [email protected] submissions are encouraged to provide evidence Website against the terms of reference and accompanying www.doi.vic.gov.au/eastwest questions that can be viewed at the study’s website – www.doi.vic.gov.au/eastwest Submissions may be written, electronic or audio form and will be posted on the study’s website, unless otherwise requested. To facilitate this, electronic submissions are preferred either on CD-ROM or via email. Written submissions should be sent to: East-West Link Needs Assessment C/- Department of Infrastructure Level 49, 80 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Electronic versions of submissions should be emailed to: [email protected]

12 Appendix – Government strategies

Numerous government strategies are relevant to Melbourne 2030 – planning for improved transport in the east-west corridor. Planning for sustainable growth Melbourne 20309 is a strategic plan prepared to AusLink manage growth and change across metropolitan AusLink sets out the Australian Government’s Melbourne and its surrounding region. The approach to achieving better national land transport main thrust of Melbourne 2030 is to continue to planning, funding and investment decision-making. protect the liveability of established areas and AusLink aims to promote sustainable national to increasingly concentrate change in strategic and regional economic growth, development and redevelopment sites such as activity centres and connectivity by contributing to the development of underdeveloped land. an integrated National Network which: Melbourne 2030 sets out nine key directions: improves national and interregional connectivity A more compact city, including building up for people, communities, regions and industry; activity centres as a focus for high-quality improves national, interregional and international development, activity and living for the whole logistics; community enhances national, interregional and international Better management of metropolitan growth, trade; including concentration of urban expansion into enhances health, safety and security; growth areas that are served by high-capacity public transport is consistent with viable, long-term economic and social outcomes; and Networks with the regional cities is linked effectively to the broader transport network. A more prosperous city, including strengthening of Central Melbourne’s Capital City functions, and www.auslink.gov.au further developing the key transport gateways and freight links, and maintaining Victoria’s position as Growing Victoria Together the nation’s premier logistics centre 8 Growing Victoria Together (GVT) sets out the Victorian A great place to be, including promotion of good Government’s vision that by 2010, Victoria will have urban design to make the environment more further strengthened its performance in the area of liveable and attractive ‘growing and linking all of Victoria’. GVT identifies that A fairer city ‘congestion in Melbourne has real economic costs, and…there is a need for ongoing development of A greener city urban roads and public transport around Melbourne’. Better transport links, including recognition that past and current rates of growth in private vehicle GVT sets the following key targets: use are not sustainable; that there is a need to The proportion of freight transported to and from improve road links servicing the ports; and that ports by rail will increase from 10 percent to 30 road management will now favour public transport per cent by 2010. since much of it will be on-road Public transport use in Melbourne as a proportion Better planning decisions, careful of trips taken by motorised means will increase management. from 11 per cent in 2002 to 20 percent by 2020. www.melbourne2030.vic.gov.au www.growingvictoria.vic.gov.au

7 Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services (2004) AusLink White Paper Canberra 8 Department of Premier and Cabinet Growing Victoria Together – A Vision for Victoria to 2010 and Beyond Melbourne 9 Department of Infrastructure (2002) Melbourne 2030 Planning for Sustainable Growth Melbourne

East-West Link Needs Assessment 13 Meeting Our Transport Challenges Manage safety and environmental issues relating Meeting Our Transport Challenges10 (MOTC) seeks to commercial transport. to ensure that the Victorian transport system keeps www.linkingvictoria.vic.gov.au up with future travel needs. MOTC identifies that Melbourne relies heavily on the Monash-West Gate corridor as the only major Victoria: Leading the Way13 east-west link to support freight and private traffic This major economic statement focuses on between the growth areas west and south-east of the increasing the competitiveness and export Melbourne CBD. MOTC notes that expansion of the performance of Victorian businesses, with Port of Melbourne and growth in cross-town travel investment in world’s best infrastructure for moving demand are putting significant pressure on the Monash- goods to market. Key actions include improving West Gate corridor and surrounding arterial roads. access to the Port of Melbourne and transforming the Port of Melbourne and Dynon rail precincts into a While the Monash-West Gate improvement single intermodal terminal of world class standard. package set out in MOTC will relieve growth- driven congestion in the short to medium term, www.dpc.vic.gov.au MOTC recognises that it is prudent to thoroughly investigate the need for an alternative east-west link. Victorian Ports Strategic Framework14 www.doi.vic.gov.au This framework identifies Victorian Government strategies and policies to assist Victoria’s commercial Sustainability Action Statement11 trading ports to meet the challenges of international trends in shipping and logistics, growing trades and This strategy sets out a broad ranging response to other social and environmental risks. the environmental challenges across the State, and promotes a healthy and sustainable environment for The framework recognises that the efficient the community. It confirms Meeting Our Transport operation of the Port of Melbourne, which handles Challenges as the blueprint for a sustainable and almost 40 per cent of Australia’s container trade, efficient transport system. is essential to both the Victorian and Australian economies. The framework also notes that the www.dse.vic.gov.au speed and quality of transport services currently form one of Victorian industries’ competitive Linking Melbourne – Metropolitan Transport Plan advantages. However, if this advantage is to be 12 Linking Melbourne – Metropolitan Transport Plan sustained, continuous improvements in road and rail (LMMTP) sets out a comprehensive plan for the connections and modal interfaces will be required management and development of Melbourne’s to attract and support increased trade through transport system, centred around improving safety, Victoria’s commercial trading ports. managing growth and congestion, and promoting economic growth. LMMTP sets out three strategies www.doi.vic.gov.au to ‘Support economic growth by improving the efficiency of freight and commercial traffic’: Improve access to key freight areas Improve national, regional and cross-town freight connections

10 Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Infrastructure (2006) Meeting our Transport Challenges - Connecting Victorian Communities Melbourne 11 Department of Sustainability and Environment (2006) Our Environment, Our Future Melbourne 12 Department of Infrastructure (2004) Linking Melbourne Metropolitan Transport Plan Melbourne 13 State of Victoria (2004) Victoria: Leading the Way Melbourne 14 Department of Infrastructure (2004) Victorian Ports Strategic Framework Melbourne 14 Outer Western Suburbs Transport Strategy15 The draft Strategy has four key principles: This strategy provides a plan for regional transport Integration – enhancing the integration of the Port infrastructure enhancements: of Melbourne and adjacent land transport facilities Public transport with the overall freight network in Victoria Seek patronage growth at least in line with public Efficiency – encouraging enhanced efficiency transport contract objectives and enhance across the freight network, including through the coordination at multi-modal facilities appropriate timing of new infrastructure Recognise the strong commuter function to CBD and Competitiveness – ensuring the Port of Melbourne inner-suburbs and allow services that serve growth remains the pre-eminent international container Provide a logical and viable network of local bus, port in Australia rail feeder and inter-regional bus services. Sustainability – balancing commercial viability with social and environmental sustainability. Road Provide for inter-regional travel The draft strategy seeks the development of: Identify suitable access arrangements linking A seamless interface between the proposed developed areas to the strategic road network ‘Metropolitan Intermodal Terminal’ and the Identify key freight links to markets and support stevedores efficient operation A potential alternative freight route from the west Ensure distributors connect to activity centres and A potential alternative east/west road link and port multi-modal facilities. connectivity (medium-long term). www.doi.vic.gov.au The draft Strategy indicates that for the Port@L concept to work effectively, it will be necessary to Draft strategies improve connectivity between Swanson Dock to the The Government has also released several draft south, and current and future rail facilities to the north. strategies that give an indication of Government The draft Strategy indicates that this is likely to require thinking on particular issues. These include: consideration of design solutions (such as grade separation of Footscray Road) and/or the provision Draft Northern Central City Corridor Strategy (2003) of alternative east-west routes for through traffic, and North East Integrated Transport Study – Draft that these matters would be fully considered in the Strategy Report (2006) East-West Link Needs Assessment Study. Melbourne 2030 – Planning for Sustainable The draft Strategy also indicates that the need to Growth – Implementation Plan No 6 – Integrated manage traffic congestion and amenity impacts, Transport (2002) particularly truck traffic impacts in the Inner West, Draft Port Development Plan (2006)16 will require consideration of alternative freight routes Melbourne Port@L Strategy (2006) – through that area. The draft Strategy states that this Consultation Draft17 will be considered by the East-West study. The draft Melbourne Port@L Strategy has as its objective ‘to deliver a practical, long term-framework to guide integration of the Port and associated land transport infrastructure and operations into an efficient, well-connected and sustainable intermodal freight system over the next 30 years’.

15 Department of Infrastructure (2001) Outer Western Suburbs Transport Strategy Melbourne www.doi.vic.gov.au 16 Port of Melbourne Corporation (2006) Port Development Plan - Consultation Draft, August 2006 www.portofmelbourne.com 17 Department of Infrastructure (2006) Melbourne Port@L Strategy – Consultation Draft Melbourne www.doi.vic.gov.au/ports

East-West Link Needs Assessment 15 Foreword

Published and authorised by the Victorian Government, 80 Collins Street Melbourne, Victoria. March 2007 © State of Victoria.

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