The state government must improve its focus on job creation and better transport in Melbourne’s west, according to submissions to Plan Melbourne, the Victorian government’s vision for the city to 2050.
Leadwest’s submission to the plan, released in October for comment, points to the need to increase business, jobs and economic prosperity in the west.
It argues there is too much focus on the inner-city and supports the “National Employment Cluster” designation for Footscray as a “University Town”.
The submission also supports better connections throughout Melbourne, via projects such as the Melbourne Metro.
“Leadwest seeks proper consideration of tram network extensions from Footscray eastward into Docklands and Melbourne, as well as tram network extensions westward from Footscray into Sunshine, via the Western Hospital and Victoria University’s Sunshine campus.”
The Western Transport Alliance (WeTAI) submission, by six western suburbs councils along with Leadwest, highlights the transport implications of Plan Melbourne in terms of economic development, liveability and sustainability.
“By 2026 [the western region] will have a population similar to Adelaide, and will need activity centres, transport infrastructure, services and jobs commensurate with an urban area of this size,” it states.
Public transport is deemed “poor” with the network characterised by low service levels, indirect services, overcrowding, service delivery issues and network gaps. “The provision of the Regional Rail Link provides the opportunity to better co-ordinate rail and bus public transport services.”
The submission highlights the impact of freight vehicles on the inner-west and offers support for the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road, the upgrading of the M80 Ring Road and fast-tracking the second stage of the east-west link.
“In terms of urban amenity, we strongly support the government working with local government to establish consistent arrangements for freight access to local roads, as for too long the inner-western suburbs have suffered significant disbenefit due to the impact of freight traffic in residential precincts.”
