GETTING ON WITH ITFast-tracking the projects our state needs

Presented by the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP, Premier of Victoria

Authorised and published by the Victorian Government,1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, 3002Printed by Impact Digital, Brunswick

© State of Victoria 2014

Unless indicated otherwise, this work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia license.

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ISBN 978-1-922222-43-5

Published February 2015

D

AN OPEN LETTER TO EVERY VICTORIAN

I know that you’re frustrated.

You want to get to work on time and back home in time, but traffic and train delays let you down far too often.

That’s why we have a plan to transform our public transport system, reduce congestion on our roads and improve safety for everyone.

And we’re getting on with it.

Work is beginning on projects that will create thousands of jobs and change the face of our state.

We’re building Melbourne Metro Rail – a new international-style underground metro system with five new stations.

Train congestion in the City Loop would grind our system to a halt if we added all the extra train services we need.

Melbourne Metro Rail ends that congestion so more trains can run on every line, creating capacity for 70,000 extra passengers during peak times every day.

We’re removing 50 of our most dangerous and congested level crossings, because they hold up cars, slow down trains and put lives at risk.

We’re fixing roads in our suburbs and our regions, we’re upgrading the deteriorating Mildura rail line to help Victorian producers and we’re saving the crumbling Flinders Street Station.

These projects have been fast-tracked so construction work can start as soon as possible.

Our plan helps every Victorian.

People who catch public transport can look forward to a system that’s so efficient, with trains arriving so frequently during peak times that timetables become redundant.

People who drive won’t get stuck at congested and unsafe level crossings, day or night. And with more people catching public transport, there’ll be less traffic on the road.

Regional Victorians who rely on our roads and our freight rail network will save time and money.

Our economy will grow.

Thousands of jobs will be created.

And this is just the start. More projects are on their way.

We’re building the projects that our state needs to help you get home safer and sooner.

And we’re making sure that governments in the future focus on Victoria’s priorities, not politics.

It’s a big job, but if we don’t get on with it now, our transport system will grind to a halt.

So we’re not wasting a minute.

The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP Premier of Victoria

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WE’RE GETTING ON WITH ITWHAT WE’RE DOINGThe Andrews Labor Government will:

• Remove 50 of our most dangerous and congested level crossings

• Build the Melbourne Metro Rail Project so more trains can run on every line

• Upgrade the Mildura rail line to boost Victoria’s freight capacity

• Strengthen bridges and improve safety at level crossings across regional Victoria

• Save the crumbling Flinders Street Station and preserve its future

• Fix congested suburban and regional roads that locals use every day

We are fast-tracking these projects so work can start as soon as possible. They will create thousands of jobs and help our economy grow. This is just the start. More funding for more projects will come in our first Budget.

WHY WE’RE DOING IT• Congestion hurts. It costs business time and money and

costs our state billions of dollars a year.

• People deserve to spend more time at home and spend less time on the road or on the train.

• Safety comes first. There were over 240 crashes at level crossings over the decade to 2013.

• We need a pipeline of major projects, creating thousands of jobs and growing our economy.

• Regional Victoria needs better freight corridors with stronger bridges and a better rail network.

• A modern, reliable and efficient transport system will cement us as the world’s most liveable city.

• People in growth areas deserve better, safer local roads because they use them every day.

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3

REMOVING 50 LEVEL CROSSINGS

Western Fwy

Western

Ring

Rd

Eastern Fwy

Hume Fwy

Calder Fwy

Tullamarine Fwy

Princes Hwy

Princes

Fwy

Burwood Hwy

Monash Fwy

Princes Fwy

Princes Hwy

Nepean Hwy

Eastl

ink

PORT PHILLIP BAY

WESTERN PORT

GEELONG

HASTINGS

Ferguson St

Main Rd East/West

Burke Rd

North Rd

Blackburn Rd

Scoresby RdMountain Hwy

Grange Rd

Poath Rd

Corrigan Rd

Chandler RdHeatherton Rd

Aviation Rd

Cherry StWerribee St

Kororoit Creek Rd

Furlong Rd

Glenroy Rd

Buckley St

Camp Rd

High St

Lower Plenty Rd

Grange Rd

Koornang Rd

South Gippsland HwyHallam Rd

Clyde Rd

Murrumbeena Rd

Clayton RdCentre Rd

Abbotts RdEdithvale Rd

Skye / Overton Rd

Eel Race RdStation St, Carrum

Station St, BonbeachSeaford Rd

Thompsons Rd

Centre Rd

Charman RdBalcombe Rd

McKinnon Rd

Heatherdale Rd

Toorak Rd

Bell St Coburg Bell St PrestonMoreland Rd

Melton Hwy

Maroondah Hwy

Manchester Rd

Werribee

Sunbury

Craigieburn

Upfield

Williamstown

Frankston

Sandringham

Pakenham

Cranbourne

Lilydale

South MorangHurstbridge

Glen Waverley

Alamein

Belgrave

Over the next eight years, the Andrews Labor Government will remove 50 of the most dangerous and congested level crossings in Melbourne. The Level Crossing Removal Project will reduce congestion on our roads, improve public transport, increase safety for everyone and create 4,500 jobs.

REDUCING CONGESTIONAlmost half of the RACV’s worst traffic hotspots in Melbourne are at level crossings. Boom gates at many of our worst level crossings can stay down for significant periods of time during the morning and evening peak. Removing level crossings, so cars can flow through, will immediately end this congestion nightmare.

FIXING PUBLIC TRANSPORTRemoving level crossings means more trains on every line. At the moment, running extra services on major train lines will cause traffic chaos at level crossings. The addition of just three more train services per hour on the Dandenong rail corridor would keep the gates at one major level crossing shut for 50 minutes over the morning peak.

REDUCING THE ROAD TOLLLevel crossings cost lives. There were over 240 crashes at level crossings over the decade to 2013, involving both vehicles and pedestrians. Victoria is the road safety capital, but Melbourne has more level crossings than any other capital in Australia. Removing level crossings will save lives.

HELPING OUR ECONOMYCongestion costs our economy billions of dollars a year. Businesses who rely on an efficient transport system are held back due to lost time, lost stock, longer hours of trade and higher vehicle running costs. Removing level crossings will reduce congestion – saving money and time and helping businesses grow.

GETTING ON WITH IT$100 million has been allocated so work can start straight away. Planning is underway and construction on the first level crossing removals will begin this year. Twenty crossings will be removed over the next four years. The Level Crossing Removal Authority has been established to deliver this project.

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Western Fwy

Western

Ring

Rd

Eastern Fwy

Hume Fwy

Calder Fwy

Tullamarine Fwy

Princes Hwy

Princes

Fwy

Burwood Hwy

Monash Fwy

Princes Fwy

Princes Hwy

Nepean Hwy

Eastl

ink

PORT PHILLIP BAY

WESTERN PORT

GEELONG

HASTINGS

Ferguson St

Main Rd East/West

Burke Rd

North Rd

Blackburn Rd

Scoresby RdMountain Hwy

Grange Rd

Poath Rd

Corrigan Rd

Chandler RdHeatherton Rd

Aviation Rd

Cherry StWerribee St

Kororoit Creek Rd

Furlong Rd

Glenroy Rd

Buckley St

Camp Rd

High St

Lower Plenty Rd

Grange Rd

Koornang Rd

South Gippsland HwyHallam Rd

Clyde Rd

Murrumbeena Rd

Clayton RdCentre Rd

Abbotts RdEdithvale Rd

Skye / Overton Rd

Eel Race RdStation St, Carrum

Station St, BonbeachSeaford Rd

Thompsons Rd

Centre Rd

Charman RdBalcombe Rd

McKinnon Rd

Heatherdale Rd

Toorak Rd

Bell St Coburg Bell St PrestonMoreland Rd

Melton Hwy

Maroondah Hwy

Manchester Rd

Werribee

Sunbury

Craigieburn

Upfield

Williamstown

Frankston

Sandringham

Pakenham

Cranbourne

Lilydale

South MorangHurstbridge

Glen Waverley

Alamein

Belgrave

LEGENDLevel crossing removal – underway (4)

Level crossing removal – planning (46)

Metro train lines

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ROYAL PARK

MCG

CITY

LINK

Dynon Rd

Footscray Rd

Roya

l Pde

Punt

Rd

Hodd

le St

King St

La Trobe St

Queensberry St

Victoria St

Grattan St

St Kilda Rd

Domain Rd

Commercial Rd

Toorak Rd

Dandenong Rd

Chap

el St

Orro

ng R

d

Spencer St

Swanston St

RICHMOND

CBD

SOUTH YARRA

PORT MELBOURNE

FOOTSCRAY Arden

Domain

CBD South

CBD North

Parkville

Patronage on our train network grew by 70 per cent in ten years, and the system is struggling to cope. We can’t expand the rail network because train congestion would grind our system to a halt. That’s why we will transform public transport with Melbourne Metro Rail, the biggest overhaul to the system since the construction of the City Loop.

A NEW UNDERGROUND RAIL LINKThe project will build two nine-kilometre underground rail tunnels through the heart of Melbourne, stretching from South Kensington to South Yarra stations and linking up the Sunbury Line with the Cranbourne/Pakenham line. Five new stations will be built at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain, which will used by 380,000 passengers every weekday.

MORE TRAINS ON EVERY LINETrain congestion in the City Loop would grind our system to a halt if we added all the extra train services we need. Melbourne Metro Rail is the solution. The project will end City Loop congestion, create space for more trains on every line and serve 70,000 extra passengers during peak times every day. It also allows for the expansion of the rail network in the future.

BUILDING MELBOURNE METRO RAIL

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ROYAL PARK

MCG

CITY

LINK

Dynon Rd

Footscray Rd

Roya

l Pde

Punt

Rd

Hodd

le St

King St

La Trobe St

Queensberry St

Victoria St

Grattan St

St Kilda Rd

Domain Rd

Commercial Rd

Toorak Rd

Dandenong Rd

Chap

el St

Orro

ng R

d

Spencer St

Swanston St

RICHMOND

CBD

SOUTH YARRA

PORT MELBOURNE

FOOTSCRAY Arden

Domain

CBD South

CBD North

Parkville

LEGENDProposed underground rail

Proposed underground station

Existing

Existing stations

Roads

TURN UP AND GOBuilding Melbourne Metro Rail will create an underground metro system of an international standard, where services at peak times are so frequent and reliable that timetables become redundant. Commuters can just turn up and go, as they do in London and Hong Kong. It’s the foundation for the future of our public transport system and our modern, world-class city.

STATIONS THAT MAKE SENSEThe new Parkville station will service Melbourne University and the nearby hospital precinct, which thousands of Victorians visit every day. Arden Station supports future growth and Domain Station will cater for the busy employment zone around St Kilda Rd. CBD North and CBD South will act as interchanges for Melbourne Central and Flinders Street stations and will relieve pressure on the busy Swanston St tram route.

GETTING ON WITH IT$40 million has been fast-tracked to establish the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority, to start work and deliver the project as soon as possible. In the short-term, the Authority will oversee immediate planning works, complete development of the Reference Design and undertake detailed site investigations. The project will create 3,500 jobs.

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MURRAY BASIN RAIL PROJECTThe Murray Basin region produces $3 billion in exports, but a deteriorating rail network is increasing the cost of business. Fixing the Mildura rail line will make the freight network safer and more efficient, help our export industries stay competitive, and support producers, families and communities.

A MORE EFFICIENT FREIGHT NETWORKThe Murray Basin Rail Project will standardise rail freight services in Northern Victoria and allow larger trains to carry more product with each trip. This will increase the capacity and reliability of the Mildura rail line and make rail freight more cost-effective, supporting primary producers and businesses across Northern Victoria.

GETTING ON WITH IT$30 million will be provided to complete Stage 1 of the project with $5 million delivered straight away to undertake pre-construction safety and maintenance works. The business case for the full project is currently being finalised and will provide options for how best to progress the next stage.

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FIXING REGIONAL BRIDGES AND LEVEL CROSSINGSA reliable, safe and efficient road and rail network is key to growth in regional Victoria. At the moment, problems with the regional transport network are increasing the costs of business.

STRONGER BRIDGESAt the moment, heavy vehicles are forced to take indirect and meandering routes through the country, because many of our state’s bridges cannot bear heavy loads. Strengthening bridges on key freight routes will support heavier loads and increase productivity, helping to reduce supply chain costs.

SAFER ROADSToo many level crossings in regional Victoria are unsafe. They lack boom gates and adequate signage, putting drivers and pedestrians at risk around some of our busiest and most important regional passenger and freight routes. The Andrews Labor Government will install automatic boom gates and improve safety at 52 level crossings across regional Victoria.

GETTING ON WITH IT$36 million has been provided to upgrade bridges across regional Victoria so heavy vehicles can take more direct routes to our farms, towns and communities. $50 million has also been provided to improve safety at regional crossings, with $2 million fast-tracked to get work started as soon as possible.

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SAVING FLINDERS STREETSTATIONMelbourne’s famous Flinders Street Station is falling apart. As one of Australia’s largest and busiest train stations, it must meet the needs of commuters and tourists who use it every day. And as a building of national significance, we need to preserve its heritage and protect its future.

UPGRADING THE STATION We will upgrade the platforms to end the passenger crush at peak times and improve entry and exit points so passengers can get through the gates faster. Toilets will be fixed, dingy and underutilised areas will be cleaned up and well-lit, and new information displays will make it easier for passengers to know what platform they need to be on, and when.

PRESERVING ITS HERITAGEWe will stop the deterioration of the building’s exterior and repair and restore the crumbling and leaky façade, roof and clock tower. The building will also be repainted. It’s our responsibility as a state to preserve this heritage icon so it can live on for generations.

GETTING ON WITH IT$100 million will be provided to complete the access, amenity and heritage works, which will commence this year. The project will create jobs, boost the surrounding commercial precincts and will help keep Melbourne a tourist destination.

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FIXING LOCAL ROADSPeople who live in our growing outer-suburbs and regions endure increasing traffic delays on bustling connector roads that, just a decade earlier, weren’t congested. We need to ease the pressure on roads that haven’t kept up with growth to help the families and workers who use them every day.

GETTING ON WITH ITWe are fast-tracking planning works for the upgrade of four major road projects in outer-suburban and regional areas, so that construction work can start as soon as possible. These projects will enhance safety and efficiency, ease the pressure on local roads and boost local business and local jobs. The fast-tracked projects include:

• Duplication of Thompsons Rd

• Duplication of Yan Yean Rd

• Construction of the Drysdale Bypass

• The upgrade of Napier St in Bendigo

By fast-tracking $3 million in funding, work can start immediately on important preconstruction activities such as design, traffic and transport analysis, land acquisition investigation, environmental and planning approvals, design plans and community consultation.

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SWAN HILL

BENDIGO

MELBOURNE

GEELONG

PORTLAND

HAMILTON

WANGARATTA

HORSHAM

SHEPPARTON

MILDURA

Western Hwy

North

ern

Hwy

Calder Hwy

Hent

y Hw

y

Hume F

wy

Princes Hwy

N

BALLARAT

Maryborough

12

SWAN HILL

BENDIGO

MELBOURNE

GEELONG

PORTLAND

HAMILTON

WANGARATTA

HORSHAM

SHEPPARTON

MILDURA

Western Hwy

North

ern

Hwy

Calder Hwy

Hent

y Hw

y

Hume F

wy

Princes Hwy

N

BALLARAT

Maryborough

Glen Waverley

Melbourne

Werribee

Frankston

Lilydale

Melton

Morning

ton Pe

ninsula

Link

Princes Fwy

Calder Fwy

Hum

e Fw

y

Melb

a Hw

y

South Gippsland Hwy

Eastlink

Monash FwyPrinces Fwy

Western Fwy

Murray Basin Rail Project Stage 1

Safer Country Crossings Program

Stronger Country Bridges Program

Road upgrades – planning

LEGENDLevel crossing removal – underway (4)

Level crossing removal – planning (46)

Road upgrades – planning

Flinders Street Station

Melbourne Metro Rail

Metro train lines

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PRIORITIES, NOT POLITICSGovernments will come and go, but Victoria’s long-term infrastructure priorities will always remain. We need sources of expert, public and independent advice to keep our state on track. Market proposals should also be fair and transparent and provide value for money.

TAKING THE POLITICS OUT OF INFRASTRUCTUREWe will establish Infrastructure Victoria to provide independent and public advice about the projects our state needs. This expert body will keep the pipeline of major projects full and make sure future governments aren’t distracted by politics. We will also establish Projects Victoria to make sure these projects are delivered on time and on budget.

WORKING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO CREATE JOBSWe will draw on the insight and expertise of our senior economic and business leaders by establishing the Premier’s Jobs and Investment Panel. $500 million will be set aside to drive growth and create high-skill, high-wage jobs in Victoria. The members of the Panel will provide direct advice to the Premier on how this funding should be invested.

TRANSPARENT, MARKET-LED PROPOSALSWe need a transparent and robust framework to consider proposals that originate from the private sector. Under new Guidelines, Market-Led Proposals will only proceed where they represent a genuinely unique idea or proposition, deliver on Government objectives, provide benefits to the community and achieve value for money. The new Guidelines will be the most transparent and rigorous in the country.

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THIS IS JUST THE STARTOur plan to transform our public transport system, reduce congestion on our roads and improve safety for everyone doesn’t end here. More funding and more projects will come in our first Budget. We are also progressing work on our other transport projects, including:

• The West Gate Distributor, which will take 5,000 trucks a day off the West Gate Bridge

• The Mernda Rail Link to serve our growing outer north and reduce pressure on local roads

• 24-hour public transport in Melbourne on weekends and 2am shuttles to regional cities

• Widening the Tullamarine Fwy between the Western Ring Rd and the Airport

• Other road upgrades, including the O’Herns Rd interchange and the Chandler Hwy duplication

• Redeveloping the Frankston Station Precinct and making it a hub for transport, business and learning

As part of the State Budget, we will release our rolling stock strategy and outline our plan for the future of Melbourne’s fleet of trains, trams and buses.

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