BY REBECCA THISTLETON rebecca.thistleton@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Council wants state to drive transport reform

ROADS and public transport are suffering under Glen Eira’s development surge, according to a submission by Glen Eira Council for the state’s new planning strategy.

The council highlighted Elsternwick, Bentleigh, Carnegie and the Phoenix precinct around Caulfield station as places where infrastructure lagged behind development and population.

Glen Eira mayor Margaret Esakoff put forward the council’s submission to the Victorian Planning System ministerial advisory committee at the end of August.

According to the submission, state planning policy promotes higher-density development which is not supported by other infrastructure. Residents were often unable to board packed trains, the council submission stated. “Some residents argue that planning policies are attracting more residents than the public transport system can support,’’ the submission stated.
Funding was desperately needed to remove rail crossings at Carnegie and Murrumbeena stations to stop traffic problems worsening as the population grows. “The need for change in our urban environment is a source of tension in the community,” the submission said. “The role of town planning in managing this is now more prominent than ever before.’’

The advisory committee is examining ways to improve the Victorian Planning System, which relates to buildings and homes, the location of shopping centres and community facilities, as well as the location of transport infrastructure and recreation space.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy said both the planning and transport departments would be involved in developing the new strategy.

“It is absolutely essential to get planning and transport policy working together to improve efficiency, mobility and liveability,” Mr Guy said.

Consultation workshops would be held with councils in coming weeks, he said. The committee is expected to submit a preliminary report to the minister by November 30.