Call for governments to cooperate on transport

THE Knox Environment Society (KES) has weighed into the escalating debate over the funding of public transport infrastructure in Melbourne’s outer east, last week calling for cooperation between state and federal governments in delivering improved services for the community.
Building on sustained lobbying efforts from Knox City Council and the Eastern Transport Coalition, KES president Darren Wallace said the region urgently needed major public transport improvements to alleviate the substantial costs of congestion and environmental damage.
“The community doesn’t care who funds the works,” Mr Wallace said.
“People are tired of blame-shifting between federal and state governments.”
While Mr Wallace acknowledged that there had been improvements to public transport in Knox in recent years, he urged governments to “get serious” about investing in infrastructure such as the rail line to Rowville, Knox tram extensions and the duplication of the Belgrave rail line.
Mr Wallace noted that Australia was the only country in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development where the national government did not assist in funding public transport infrastructure.
“Given that the transport sector accounts for approximately 20 per cent of all greenhouse emissions, it is imperative the national government partners with state governments to fund much-needed improvements to our public transport network,” he said.