CITY of Greater Dandenong is urging the ALP, Coalition and Greens to support business growth and employment opportunities by expanding the region’s rail services.
On 19 August Mayor Angela Long joined five other mayors from Melbourne’s east to sign a joint letter putting forward the case for increased Federal public transport funding.
The letter said commuters were the economy’s lifeblood and gridlock and congestion wasted time and money.
“That is why we urge you to support improved public transport and a stronger economic future for the eastern suburbs by committing the Commonwealth to funding transport infrastructure on merit,” the letter said.
The Eastern Transport Coalition initiative pushed for several projects, including increasing the Dandenong line’s capacity.
Councillor Long said Infrastructure Australia, the Federal Government’s advisor on national infrastructure priorities, recommended the Rail Capacity Program receive cash as it had “real potential” as a nation-building project.
She said the council wanted to see extra tracks to provide reliable express services, facilitate V/Line services to the La Trobe Valley and accommodate future freight services as part of the planned container port at Hastings.
“So far, there has been no commitment from Canberra,” Cr Long said.
The State Government plan to expand the Dandenong line’s capacity includes grade separations, signalling upgrades and platform lengthening to accommodate nine-car trains.
“The Dandenong rail line serves one of Melbourne’s largest regions, with strong population and jobs growth projected to continue,” Cr Long said.
“The $1.2 billion project has the potential to increase capacity on the Dandenong rail line by approximately 11,000 passengers per hour.”
There are now two tracks between Dandenong and Caulfield which carry all Dandenong, Pakenham and Cranbourne passengers, V/Line and freight train services.
This limits the potential for express services and causes overcrowding on peak passenger services.
“This capacity increase would benefit Dandenong and the surrounding areas by ensuring efficient public support,” Cr Long said.
“The removal of level crossings (three in Greater Dandenong) would ease traffic congestion which is currently having negative impacts on business growth and employment opportunities.”
