This afternoon I was invited to attend a Melbourne 2030 Audit Workshop, organised by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Melbourne 2030 Audit Expert Group.

The forum workshop provided an opportunity to gauge the views of local government in regard to the implementation and priorities of Melbourne 2030. In this regard I spoke about the need to support activity centre development through the use of infrastructure investment to help achieve the aims of Melbourne 2030.

For example, in the case of Ringwood (a nominated Transit City under Melbourne 2030) there is a need for the State Government to commit funding for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, since this would serve as a catalyst for Ringwood’s revitalisation. Ringwood could in fact become a quick and very successful win for the State Government if this investment is provided.

Likewise, the State Government needs to provide budget certainty for activity centres, through allocating capital works funding for the infrastructure required in these areas. Urban redevelopment requires targeted investment from government to stimulate further investment and requires leadership from both local and State governments.

While Maroondah is supporting sustainable transport through the construction of footpaths with new developments in the Ringwood Transit City, this needs to be supported with the funding necessary for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

Given the ongoing consultation that is currently taking place, it is hoped that the State Government will act on the findings of the Melbourne 2030 Audit Expert Group and provide a genuine whole of government approach to Melbourne 2030 and its goals encouraging public transport usage and improving urban sustainability.