Quick look through Infrastructure Victoria's draft strategy

 

Another day. Another big planning document. This time it's from Infrastructure Victoria who has released its draft 30 year infrastructure strategy. IV is governments planning advisory body. 

It proposes rail upgrades, tram extensions and bus rapid transit.  Also service frequency improvements such that 80% of the populations of Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo are within 800 metres of public transport every 20 minutes or better.

Read the draft strategy here: https://www.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/resources/draft-30-year-strategy

Here's some main points from my quick skim. 

Let's start with service (as no one else seems to!). The every 20 min within 800m of 80% of the population service standard is very good. I've been advocating such a frequency measure for years and it's great they've listened. 6am - 11pm buses also decent. As I noted a few days ago, Plan for Victoria did not have a robust PT frequency aim like this (but should have). 

I'd have liked IV to go harder on a 10 min core frequent network, with Metro trains, trams and key buses upgraded to that. That for trains was found feasible in the NDP Metropolitan Rail so there is no reason not to. And IV should really be very interested in maximum utilisation of assets which all day frequent train networks would further. It is a serious indictment that, with gaps between trains of up to 40 min, Melbourne does not have a comprehensive all week frequent rail network like Sydney or even Perth has. The only reason we don't is not the infrastructure but due to a political choice not to run more trains. 

Similar for buses. IV could have advocated (say) 30 or 40 top bus corridors that justified route simplification to deliver service every 10 minutes or better 7 days. That would have been transformative. The strongest of those could have got BRT-type infrastructure upgrades to improve speeds and reliability. Or even be tests for the tram extensions IV propose. 

IV is (mostly) going for a lot of small rather than a few big infrastructure items. So there's a lot of tram extensions proposed for the inner and middle suburbs. Think Arden, Fishermans Bend, Batman, Moorabbin, Hughesdale, Burwood East, etc. They mention the relationship with housing which is topical given recent government planning announcements. 

Major rail upgrades in the west are proposed including Melton electrification and more stations such as at Mt Atkinson and Thornhill Park. In a big win for middle suburban connectivity in Altona North they also want a rebuilt Paisley. 

Clyde & Kalkallo electrification also backed but only as a 'future option'. Thus the outer north and outer south-east are not considered as urgent as Melton and the outer west. I think some will argue that these areas have been equally short-changed. The City Loop reconfiguration also on this 'future option' list.

This draft strategy continues IV advocacy for bus rapid transit, something we don't have much of in Melbourne. These corridors are mostly middle and outer suburbs, with some radial and others orbital.

Freight: Chief recommendations include a rail freight plan and delivering more stuff outside peak hours.

What does and doesn't IV talk about? The word 'frequent' gets mentioned 49 times. Big contrast to other material like Plan for Victoria that de-emphasises service. However 'Suburban Rail Loop' get mentioned just 6 times and 'Metro 2' 5 times. I suspect the SRL and its advisability is a sensitive matter within IV given that while they may have their own views they can't really comment on something that is actual government policy and is being built. 

Fares: IV propose lower off-peak fares and simpler fare zones in regional areas. Early Bird Metro Train only would be replaced with cheaper outside peak fares.  IV has commendably de-emphasised their silly mode-based fare plans (that would have made bus reform harder). It's mentioned but something to consider later. 

That's just a quick skim. There are many other non-transport recommendations. Eg more libraries and aquatic centres in outer suburbs. And phasing out stamp duties in favour of land tax. More affordable housing. Tree canopy cover. Electrification. And more. 

There's maps and more detail in the draft strategy that you should read here: https://www.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/resources/draft-30-year-strategy

There will be an opportunity to comment until 28 April 2025.