Close to $1 billion is needed to reduce congestion on Wyndham’s roads, according to the Auditor-General.
In his report on outer Melbourne’s transport infrastructure, John
Doyle found that growth areas needed between $4.1 billion and
$5.1 billion to improve traffic flow.
Wyndham requires the biggest share of the funding, with between
$975 million and $1.3 billion needed for duplications and upgrades. The
municipality also needs more public transport services, with residents
waiting about 55 minutes between buses.
‘‘Inadequate public transport and growing gaps in the road network
in these communities are creating barriers to mobility, including
access to critical services, education and employment opportunities,’’
the report said. “In turn, these deficiencies are increasing car
dependence, pollution and exacerbating traffic congestion at significant
community cost.”
The report stated more than $6 billion was required for rail
projects in growth areas, while $197 million in recurrent funding was
needed to address public transport gaps.
Wyndham mayor Heather Marcus said Mr Doyle’s findings were proof that the municipality needed a cap on residential growth.
As reported by the Weekly,
the council plans to limit new developments to 3000 houses a year to
allow essential infrastructure to be built. “Over a quarter of Wyndham’s
residents are commuting for more than two hours a day, which is the
highest of any municipality in the state according to recent figures
from the Department of Health,” Cr Marcus said.
Cr Marcus called on the government to immediately commit to
funding an outer-suburban arterial road program in next year’s budget.
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