GRADE separation of three dangerous level rail crossings in Wyndham should be funded by a mix of user-pays measures, according to a new report.
Independent think tank Committee for Melbourne is calling for greater discussion about alternative ways to fund transport infrastructure, instead of waiting on the state government to fork out the money.
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Wyndham has three of the Transport Department’s top 20 level crossings that need fixing – at Cherry Street, Werribee Street and Old Geelong Road. But they were left off a list of the Baillieu government’s first-term priorities.
The new report suggests grade separations could be fast-tracked if the government considers a broader range of funding models such as a special levy on surrounding homeowners and shopkeepers, a broad-based transport improvement levy to be collected by council, or a developer charge for companies building above or near public transport stations.
Committee for Wyndham executive director Nik Tsardakis said innovative funding models could help the government meet the demands of a fast-growing population.
“Subject to today’s fiscal environment, we could be waiting a very long time,” he said.
“So if people can actually see the benefit, why not pay a little bit extra themselves?
“People already do that to live in places like Sanctuary Lakes. Or if the charge falls on the developer, their return will end up being greater because of the extra amenities in that area.”
Mr Tsardakis said Wyndham’s next council should consider the proposals listed in the “thought-provoking” discussion paper.
“At the end of the day, we’ve been let down by successive state governments,” he said.
“From my point of view, we’ll have to use every leverage to get some improvements here and not just be left out in the cold.”
Committee for Melbourne chief executive Kate Roffey said some of the options would be unpopular.
Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury welcomed discussion on the region’s infrastructure needs but rejected the idea of privatising level crossings.
He said the government was working on grade separations in Mitcham, Springvale and Anderson Road in Sunshine as part of the Regional Rail Link, and had plans to begin work in St Albans.
“All level crossings across the state are currently on our to-do list, specifically the ones in metropolitan Melbourne,” Mr Elsbury said.
“In Wyndham, the last time we had grade separations was under the Kennett government, but they continually come up in conversations with myself and the minister.”
Mr Elsbury said changes to a growth areas developer contributions scheme, introduced last year, could fast-track infrastructure projects including grade separations.
Tarneit Labor MP Tim Pallas said the government’s failure to upgrade the crossings was putting lives at risk.
He said a recent upgrade of a level crossing in Brighton, ranked 214th in priority in a 2008 report, showed the government based decisions on politics rather than need.
“For Wyndham, grade separations would be a bounty as they would do much to relieve the city’s worsening transport and traffic congestion situation.”
