Nearly $11 billion in schools, roads and other infrastructure is needed over the next 13 years to bring services among Melbourne’s outer suburbs on par with other parts of Melbourne.
That’s the word from a new Interface Councils report, One Melbourne or Two?, which found that Melbourne’s 10 interface councils – which includes Wyndham – had welcomed more than 440,000 new residents over the past decade, and are set to accommodate 765,000 more between now and 2031.
The report found that by 2031:
• $760 million is needed to build enough primary schools for the anticipated 85,110 primary school students across the 10 council areas. A further $720 million is needed for secondary campuses, and $100 million for kindergartens;
• $8.124 billion is needed in new and upgraded public transport infrastructure;
• $1.175 billion is needed for 29 new hospital buildings and 2180 hospital beds; and
• About 265,000 new jobs will be needed.
It recommended providing more jobs closer to home and creating walkable neighbourhoods to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce car dependency.
Whittlesea mayor Kris Pavlidis said urgent action must be taken.
“Residents in the outer suburbs have increasingly struggled to access vital services and critical infrastructure,” Cr Pavlidis said.
