A MAJOR transport campaign spanning seven councils in Melbourne’s north is calling on residents and local businesses to speak up about the real impacts of inadequate and unreliable transport in their daily lives.
Launched on October 7, the Connect Melbourne’s North campaign brings together the municipalities of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Merri-bek, Mitchell, Nillumbik and Whittlesea, in a push for urgently needed investment in public transport, connectivity and active transport networks across the fast-growing region.
Community members are being asked to visit visit the Connect Melbourne’s North website and record their experiences, whether that’s waiting too long for buses, sitting in daily traffic jams or being cut off from work, education or medical appointments due to limited transport options.
From overloaded roads across the region, to unsafe bike links and inadequate services in rural areas, and lack of connected services in our inner suburbs, each council has highlighted its local issues. But they share a common goal: better transport for everyone in Melbourne’s north.
Chair of the Northern Councils Alliance and Mayor of Merri-bek, Cr Helen Davidson, said community voices would help power the next stage of advocacy.
“Our region is one of the fastest growing in the country, yet our transport network hasn’t kept up. This campaign is about amplifying local voices and showing decision-makers that transport in Melbourne’s north can’t wait. We need more than words – we need commitment and investment,” she said.
“Whether you’re stuck in traffic every morning, or your child can’t get to TAFE, or your bus doesn’t turn up, your story matters. We’re asking you to share it.”
The campaign is advocating for improvements including an efficient, connected bus network that matches how people live and work, investment in rail projects like the Upfield Line extension and Wollert rail, safer walking and cycling paths linked across Council boundaries, east-west connectivity to improve access to jobs and services, better access to health infrastructure such as the Northern Hospital and investment in large road projects such as the Hume Freeway extension and the OMR/E6.
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said the campaign highlights the urgent need to deliver infrastructure early, not decades too late.
“Communities can’t thrive if housing comes first and schools, roads and public transport arrive years afterwards,” he said.
“Beveridge is one of Melbourne’s last major growth areas and our opportunity to get it right. The land for Beveridge Station is already set aside and ready to go – it’s the test of whether we’re serious about delivering connected communities.
“Only 1.2 per cent of people in Beveridge commute by public transport – not because they don’t want to, but because they can’t.
“Without matching investment in schools, roads and transport, we’re building communities that start at a disadvantage.”
Residents, workers and business owners are encouraged to visit the campaign website and add their voice to the call for change.
