Over the past decade Melbourne’s west has experienced one of the fastest growth rates in Australia.
The Victorian State Government needs to invest in public and active transport to ensure that communities are not left dependent on their cars. Better buses, trains and active transport infrastructure will reduce car traffic, increase safety for cyclists and reduce air pollution.
Small tweaks will no longer do; We need a transformation of our transport system in the West.
BetterWest and Sustainable Cities have organised this forum in the lead up to the Victorian state election to highlight that there is so much that the government can do to improve public transport in the West, and improve the lives of communities who call the West their home.
We’ll hear from leading experts in transport planning, and local community members on the transport that matters to them.
Associate Professor Crystal Legacy, Urban Planning, University of Melbourne, will be our MC and open the night by explaining the need for integrated transport planning, particularly in the west.
David Hardy and Marianne Richards from Rail Futures Institute will outline their advocacy for East West Metro Rail, which incorporates the Western section of Melbourne Metro 2.
Marion Terrill, Transport and Cities Program Director, Grattan Institute will discuss the institute's recently released report “The Grattan truck plan: practical policies for cleaner freight”. In this report she calls for a Low Emission Zone in Melbourne.
Dr John Stone, Senior Lecturer in Transport Planning, University of Melbourne will discuss the Better Buses for the West campaign, and the vision for a better bus network outlined in research done by himself and Professor Iain Lawrie.
John Symons, President of Bikewest, will discuss the need for more safe cycling routes in the west and define what “safe cycling” looks like and what is required.
We have the answers. We are inviting political candidates and the community along to understand what is needed and how important this is.
We call on the community to advocate for these changes and political candidates to commit to prioritising these important projects
If you have accessibility requirements, please contact us before the 19th October. Email: [email protected]
This event will also be held online, link to be sent out later.
NOTE: PLEASE REGISTER THROUGH THE EVENTBRITE LINK BELOW, WHERE IT SAYS 'TICKETS'
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways in the area now known as Victoria. We pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging, as well as to all First Nations communities who significantly contribute to the life of the area. We acknowledge sovereignty was never ceded. This is stolen land.
Sign the better buses petition: https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/betterbuses
