WYNDHAM residents will not ride trams to work, school or local shops in the foreseeable future after a City proposal came to a grinding halt last week.
Wyndham Council investigated the viability of building, owning and operating a tram network as a solution to public transport troubles, but found the cost too high.
Iramoo Ward councillor Peter Ross said the tram network would get off the ground only with federal funding.
However, this was not a likely option because the Federal Government does not contribute to urban public transport projects.
“There’s no doubt this proposal is just a dream,” Cr Ross said.
Construction was estimated at more than $687 million, and up to a further $200 million for major service relocations, roadwork, land acquisition, intersections and tram stops.
The operating cost for the full tram network was estimated at more than $29 million a year.
Should fare revenue cover approximately 55 per cent of the operating costs, the shortfall would still be more than $13 million.
Residents would bare the brunt through a 25 per cent rate increase.
Council could alternatively spend $73 million to set up a bus network on similar lines, making a saving of more than $600 million.
Former Truganina Ward councillor Peter Hawkins suggested the idea back in August 2005.
He underestimated the network would cost council between $100 to $200 million at the time, and said he hoped his fellow councillors would not consider the concept “airy-fairy”.
Council could apply for State Government funding, but getting a grant was unlikely because of the precedent it would set for other councils seeking money for similar schemes.
A small, internal working group investigated the feasibility of the tram scheme with the Department of Infrastructure, VicRoads and Yarra Trams.
The findings, which included funding options, timing estimates and proposed routes, were released at a council meeting last week in the Wyndham Tram Network Report.
“I think having investigated it means we know why we’re not doing it,” said Iramoo Ward councillor Cynthia Manson.
Cr Manson said although Mr Hawkins’ idea was bold and showed initiative it had also stirred up fear within the community.
But she acknowledged the need for council to plan now for 20 years ahead, and she pushed for more government funding to improve the bus system.
Truganina Ward councillor Bob Fairclough described the tram network as “completely out of our reach”, and also believed that buses were the way to go.
He said council should investigate initiatives like bus-only lanes and running more rapid routes from the suburbs to the city.
Should the tram route be miraculously funded, it would not be up and running before 2010.
The proposal suggested three initial routes would run from Tarneit to Hoppers Crossing; Westleigh Gardens to Morris Rd/Sayers Rd; and Werribee Station to the tourism precinct.
The report found buses proved a significantly lower cost alternative as a solution to public transport problems.
Council moved to keep pushing for improvements in bus services, like increased frequency and extended operating hours.
It would also extend bus routes into new estates when 40 per cent of houses were occupied.
Meanwhile, public transport advocacy group – Committee for Werribee Inc – last week sent an impassioned plea to government and strategic planners to focus on the looming public transport crisis in Melbourne’s West, with a focus on the City of Wyndham.
