Melbourne by night. Wikimedia photo.
The $8 billion East-West Link Tunnel in Melbourne has dominated the Victorian Budget, with other rail, road and public transport projects largely neglected.
Infrastructure and transport engineering consulting firm AECOM has welcomed the budget's significant transport investment, but suggested a greater focus on public transport in subsequent budgets and further clarification around the East-West Link would be welcome.
AECOM industry director transportation Ray Rawlings called the budget a positive step towards recognising transport infrastructure as central to Victoria's growth and public transport as critical to enhancing liveability and sustainability.
He did, however, suggest more could be done to provide certainty that key projects would be realised.
"AECOM views the East-West Link as a transformative project and certainly the Victorian Government's $294 million allocation and its request for $1.5 billion from Federal Government are significant," he said.
"However, at this stage, given its price tag of up to $8 billion, the project is yet to be fully funded and we look forward to further commitments being made."
Mr Rawlings also questioned the Budget's less significant commitment to public transport, with $10 million dedicated to the Melbourne Metro rail tunnel between South Yarra and Kensington that the Government itself has stated is a pre-cursor to future expansions, extensions and upgrades to the rail network.
"While road funding is certainly welcome, we would see great overall benefits in providing more emphasis on public transport, and aligning more closely with the Metropolitan Planning Strategy and Public Transport Victoria's recently published Network Development Plan for Metro Rail," he said.
"These plans outline strategies for reducing congestion, making better use of existing assets, promoting sustainable forms of transport and benefitting residents.
"While we do understand the challenge of funding major projects like the East-West Link and Melbourne Metro simultaneously, we hope for a greater commitment to public transport initiatives in the 2014-15 Budget."
Freight and logistics is another area Mr Rawlings believes could benefit from greater economic focus.
"In addition to the $110 million announced to develop the Port of Hastings, we would welcome additional funding to implement the Victorian Government's freight and logistics plan," he said.
"AECOM views freight movement and supply chain optimisation as a significant productivity issue in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing."
"In particular, we would like to see what the East-West Link will have in store for freight transport, given the current budget foregoes the opportunity to provide a second crossing over the Yarra River and better access to the port." (106)