By XAVIER SMERDON
MORE THAN $1 billion is needed to fix Wyndham’s transport woes, according to a new report.
Victoria’s Auditor General, John Doyle, tabled a report, Developing Transport Infrastructure and Services for Population Growth Areas, in parliament last Wednesday.
The report claimed that more than $1.3 billion will need to be spent to address “longstanding” road infrastructure needs, the largest amount needed for anywhere in the state.
It also states that despite Wyndham’s population being expected to grow by 102 per cent over the next 20 years, residents are subjected to the second lowest amount of transport options and the second worst average bus service frequency in Victoria.
Wyndham Mayor Heather Marcus said the report could not have painted a plainer picture about the problem’s facing the municipality.
“It’s a breath of fresh air to have a State Government agency tell it like it really is. Over many years the State Government has failed communities in growth areas and urgent action is required – and the Auditor General has stated it as bluntly as that,” Cr Marcus said.
“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.
“This is occurring on the most congested trains, the most indirect buses and woefully congested, one lane, arterial roads. It’s also happening on the single, over capacity, major route across the Maribyrnong and Yarra Rivers.
“Wyndham City Council has been calling for a ‘speed limit on residential growth’ until infrastructure and employment issues in growth areas are properly addressed and this audit supports the urgency of our calls.”
Member for Tarneit and former Transport Minister, Tim Pallas, said the Auditor General had acted as a whistleblower by releasing the report.
“This report clearly shows Denis Napthine is out of his depth when it comes to providing public transport solutions for Wyndham and Victoria, particularly when it comes to providing road improvements that reduce congestion,” Mr Pallas said.
“Denis Napthine is going to spend $8 billion of Victorian taxpayers money on a tunnel (the East West Link) that no one wants, that no one will use, from a Premier that no one in Wyndham voted for.
“If Denis Napthine is so convinced that this is the right project then he should take it to the next election and let all Victorians decide.”
Star contacted the Minister for Transport, Terry Mulder, for comment but his office did not respond before deadline.
