Plan moves in the right direction

Plan moves in the right direction

Docklands will receive a $36 million investment into transport infrastructure, according to a plan released by Places Victoria and City of Melbourne last month.

Access Docklands outlines a range of transport initiatives including the $20 million extension of the Collins St tramline, currently under construction in Victoria Harbour.

According to the plan, $150,000 has been committed to increasing traffic capacity on Bourke St and Batmans Hill Drive to improve traffic movements from Docklands to Wurundjeri Way.

Funding has also been confirmed for the establishment of an Access Docklands Travel Management Association with Docklands employers, community representatives and government agencies.

The report also confirms plans for a feasibility study into a pedestrian and cycling link between North Melbourne Station, E-Gate and Docklands and into the potential for a Lonsdale St extension through to Etihad Stadium.

The plan also commits to starting design and feasibility studies for Docklands’ water transport systems, including the proposed Yarra River ferry and Docklands shuttles.

A range of transport initiatives received funding and other plans have been noted for further development.

“Access Docklands will ensure the right transport infrastructure is available for more than 60,000 employees and 20,000 residents who will call Docklands home by 2025,” Planning Minister Matthew Guy said.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said Access Docklands was an important blueprint, which integrated with the City of Melbourne’s transport strategy.

Release of the Access Docklands report followed an 18-month consultation with Docklands businesses, workers, residents and government agencies.
In July and August of 2011, travel behaviour surveys were issued to more than 19,000 Docklands workers, 6500 residents, 2500 football spectators and 900 visitors.

Participants were asked to rank the importance of potential improvements to the transport network.

Nearly 100 per cent of participants ranked enhanced tram services as a top priority for Docklands. Over three quarters of respondent said enhanced weather protection was a high priority.

The survey revealed that 34 per cent of Docklands residents walk to work, ten times more than the metropolitan average of 3 per cent.

It also showed that 70 per cent of residents use sustainable transport to travel to work compared to 24 per cent for metropolitan Melbourne and 59 per cent for inner Melbourne.

And only 30 per cent of Docklands residents travel to work by car in contrast with 75 per cent of metropolitan Melburnians.

Join Our Facebook Group