The final version of the 30-year plan follows Infrastructure Victoria’s draft report, released in March, which included a proposal to extend Melbourne’s tram routes to create new housing corridors, reduce off-peak fares, and introduce 30 kilometre per hour speed limits on local streets to improve safety and promote walking and cycling.
Dr Spear said the final 45 recommendations were informed by feedback from thousands of Victorians.
“This strategy provides the government with a practical road map of the highest priority infrastructure policies and investments that we need over the next three decades,” he said.
The final strategy also includes new train stations in Melbourne’s north, at Craigieburn, on the Upfield line, as well as at Beveridge, on the Seymour line, and Altona North, Mount Atkinson and Thornhill Park in the city’s west.
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said a train station at Beveridge was the council’s top advocacy priority, because the area was experiencing a population boom, including a new housing precinct recently approved with 15,000 new homes.
Council data recently showed just 1.2 per cent of residents regularly catch public transport, and the road network is choked.
“Beveridge is an older town, but it’s rapidly changing,” Cr Dougall said.
“It’s now home to more than 11,000 people and it’s doubling its size every five years.”
He said it was important the government invested in infrastructure before new residents moved in, rather than “playing catch-up” down the track.
“The land is available, it needs to be acquired and developed, but it is available, and it is right next to this suburb,” he said.
The Northern Councils Alliance, a group of seven councils in Melbourne’s north, described the Upfield duplication and extension as “an absolute priority”.
A state government spokesperson said the government welcomed the strategy from Infrastructure Victoria, and said current works on the Upfield Line were focused on building two new stations.
“We’re getting on removing eight level crossings on the Upfield Line and building two accessible stations in new locations in Brunswick, improving safety and cutting congestion — while paving the way for future upgrades,” a spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the federal government has committed $7 million for the state government to “develop a business case that will provide options to upgrade services on the Craigieburn and Upfield lines”, said Federal Member for Wills, Peter Khalil.
“Planning work takes time and we look forward to working with the Victorian government as this project progresses,” he said.
