78%+)*)%7-&-0-8=6)4368 *-2%0()')1&)6 Rowville Rail Study – Public Plan i DISCLAIMER This report presents the results of an independent study and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Minister for Public Transport or Public Transport Victoria. FINAL REPORT This is the Final Report of Stage 1 of the Rowville Rail Study. It replaces the Draft Stage 1 Report that was released publicly on 9 March 2012, and includes changes in the light of submissions and comments received. Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................................ 1 Executive summary .............................................................................................................. 2 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 7 2. History of Rowville rail line ........................................................................................... 8 2.1 Melbourne Transport Plan (1969) .......................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Scoresby Transport Corridor (1998) ...................................................................................................... 9 2.3 City of Knox study (2004) .................................................................................................................... 10 2.4 This study ............................................................................................................................................ 11 2.5 Policy context ...................................................................................................................................... 11 3. Existing and future conditions ................................................................................... 12 3.1 Overall context ..................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2 Study area ........................................................................................................................................... 12 3.3 Land use .............................................................................................................................................. 13 3.4 Demography ........................................................................................................................................ 15 3.5 Travel patterns ..................................................................................................................................... 17 3.6 Existing transport provision .................................................................................................................. 19 3.7 Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 24 4. Community and stakeholder views ............................................................................ 25 4.1 Consultation process ........................................................................................................................... 25 4.2 Summary of responses during the study ............................................................................................. 26 4.3 Overall support during the study .......................................................................................................... 28 4.4 Response to the Draft Stage 1 Report ................................................................................................. 29 5. Possible solutions ....................................................................................................... 31 5.1 Rowville rail line overview .................................................................................................................... 31 5.2 Alternatives to Rowville rail line ........................................................................................................... 31 6. A Rowville rail line concept ........................................................................................ 33 6.1 Train operations ................................................................................................................................... 33 6.2 Physical details of the rail line .............................................................................................................. 38 6.3 Sustainability considerations ............................................................................................................... 48 6.4 Constructability .................................................................................................................................... 49 7. Travel demand effects ................................................................................................. 52 7.1 Background and assumptions ............................................................................................................. 52 7.2 Rail line patronage ............................................................................................................................... 53 7.3 Station usage ....................................................................................................................................... 54 7.4 Mode shifts .......................................................................................................................................... 57 7.5 Conclusions on demand modelling ...................................................................................................... 59 8. Costs, benefits and impacts ....................................................................................... 60 8.1 Capital costs ........................................................................................................................................ 60 8.2 Operating costs ................................................................................................................................... 60 8.3 Economic appraisal ............................................................................................................................. 60 8.4 Wider economic benefits ..................................................................................................................... 61 8.5 Environmental and social effects ......................................................................................................... 62 8.6 Initial appraisal ..................................................................................................................................... 62 8.1 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................................... 64 9. Findings and recommendations ................................................................................ 65 9.1 Summary of findings ............................................................................................................................ 65 9.2 Recommended actions ........................................................................................................................ 66 Appendices.......................................................................................................................... 67 A. Stakeholders consulted ....................................................................................................................... 67 B. List of supporting reports ..................................................................................................................... 67 C. Risk register ......................................................................................................................................... 67 Final Stage 1 Feasibility Report Foreword Foreword Stage 1 of the Rowville Rail Study is now complete and has involved community and stakeholder involvement and initial studies into rail operations, design, patronage, environmental and social appraisal. The Draft Stage 1 Report, released in March 2012, was widely read and reported on. We received many comments and a total of 247 submissions from individuals and stakeholders; most were strongly supportive although some questioned the details. Much of the content of this Final Stage 1 Report is unchanged from the draft, however we have included more detailed commentary on the improvements that would be needed to the Dandenong line and into the city before Rowville train services could operate effectively. We have also made reference to the submissions received on the Draft Report and we have refined our recommendations for the next steps. We believe that the Rowville rail line is worth pursuing further and we encourage the Government to maintain its commitment to doing so. Our sincere thanks again to the study team, Public Transport Victoria, all the stakeholders and the community for their valuable contributions to the work. William McDougall Study Leader, Sinclair Knight Merz Page 1 Final Stage 1 Feasibility Report Executive summary Executive summary Introduction This report summarises Stage 1 of the Rowville Rail Study, which has investigated the feasibility of a suburban rail line from Huntingdale to Rowville. History The Rowville rail line was first proposed in 1969. Some planning was done in the early 1970s but a route was not protected. It was reconsidered as part of the