Fishermans Bend’s call for public transport gets louder

Fishermans Bend urban development plan currently lacks viable public transport infrastructure, the Future Melbourne Committee meeting said last week.

The development is Australia’s largest urban sprawl project and by 2050 it promises an influx of 80,000 residents, 80,000 jobs, and 20,000 students.

Major tram and train lines have not been funded or announced by the state government yet and residents and businesses are calling for urgent public transport action.

Murray Nicol, the Vice President of the Fishermans Bend Business Forum, said public transport to Fishermans Bend is necessary for the growth of the development.

“We need to support local businesses of Fishermans Bend through amenity. Amenity includes public transport funding,” Mr Nicol said.

“Right now, there are only intermittent bus services running. The development plan is built on the premise of a tram and trainline, it will not work,” he said.

Mr Nicol said the opening of the $2 billion Fishermans Bend University of Melbourne campus in 2025 will put a strain on the already congested parking facilities.

He said a tram line is “needed” for university students to access the campus, and “85 percent of movement is done by walking, riding, or public transport”.

“The longer we leave public transport infrastructure, the more expensive it becomes. All levels of government need to be involved,” he said.

Professor Julie Willis, a University of Melbourne lecturer, said at the Committee meeting public transport is an essential aspect of the development.

A tram line is “something students expect” and having modern public transport makes the campus “a viable place to be”, Ms Willis said.

Melbourne City Council is supportive of the need for public transport to the area and is continuing to discuss with the state government.

Deputy Portfolio Lead for City Transport, Infrastructure and Operations, Councillor Davydd Griffiths, said both state political parties need to support public transport development.

“Council is strongly advocating for improved public transport in Fishermans Bend. We see it is as critical component to the development,” Mr Griffiths said.