Tonight I attended the last Eastern Transport Coalition for this current council term. The meeting discussed the ETC’s terms of reference and processes to assist in guiding the member councils and to reaffirm the ETC’s aims of advocating for sustainable transport improvements.

The meeting also discussed the ETC’s recent submission to Infrastructure Australia, which aims to encourage the Federal Government to invest in urban public transport, particularly within Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs.

As we enter times of economic uncertainty, coupled with rising petrol prices, it is imperative that the Federal Government invest significantly within urban public transport to ensure to provide transport choice and to enhance people’s mobility. Public transport infrastructure, such as rail duplications, the Rowville and Doncaster rail lines, would mitigate traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse emissions while also boosting the economic capacity of the eastern region.

The Federal Government has announced that it will fast-track its infrastructure commitments and it is clear that public transport projects must be part of this program to ensure a sustainable and accessible future for Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.