Early delivery of Fishermans Bend tram

ADVOCACY UPDATE

Australian Labor Party Election Commitment

Labor will invest $3 million to fund the Fishermans Bend Transport Link Feasibility Study.

This study is a first step to determine the best way to deliver public transport links into the heart of Fishermans Bend, including examining the option of trackless trams. This study will also consider the most appropriate phasing of delivery.

BACKGROUND

What is the ask?

Victorian Government

Council is requesting the Victorian Government commit to the early delivery of tram infrastructure serving Sandridge and Wirraway precincts in Fishermans Bend.

Council is requesting the early delivery of the southern light rail connection to support precinct development and growth for Sandridge and Wirraway Precincts.

Australian Government

Council is requesting the Australian Government partner with the Victorian Government to commit to the early delivery of tram infrastructure serving Sandridge and Wirraway precincts in Fishermans Bend.

What is the issue that this initiative will address?

The lack of high capacity public transport and poor active transport provision to Fishermans Bend is a key issue.

In 2018, Council commissioned PWC to complete a Fishermans Bend Economic and Transport Infrastructure Study. They found that:

• the tram and train would be transformative and that pushing back the timing of the tram risks lower density and more dispersed development outcomes.
• early delivery of major public transport projects, such as the tram, is far and away the biggest determinant of success for the precinct.
• the tram will maximise jobs and provide an anchor for development that could not be achieved by other initiatives.

If Fishermans Bend is to achieve its potential of hosting 80,000 residents and 80,000 jobs by 2050 and accommodate 80 per cent of trips made by sustainable transport by 2050, the early delivery of a Fishermans Bend Tram link is essential.

What is Council proposing?

Council is proposing to work with the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government for the early delivery of a tram to Fishermans Bend. The tram is the most important project, in terms of the catalytic effect it will have on the area. It will frame the type of private sector investment in the surrounding development, ensuring quality outcomes.

The Victorian Budget 2019/20 is investing $4.5 million to plan for a potential tram service between Fishermans Bend and the CBD. Planning work has now commenced and will develop options for the potential tram route, including options for a river crossing, and potential corridors along Turner and Plummer streets.

A preliminary business case for the tram is yet to be released by the Victorian government.

Catalytic Infrastructure is an upfront investment to stimulate growth that will strengthen and protect long term community development. Both Council and the State Government recognise the need for catalytic investment such as the tram.

How does this initiative align with the Council Plan and Government priorities?

Council

City of Port Phillip Council Plan 2021-31: Liveable Port Phillip - A City that is a great place to live, where our community has access to high quality public spaces, development and growth are well-managed, and it is safer and easy to connect and travel within.

• We will partner with the Victorian Government to deliver outcomes in the Fishermans Bend strategic framework.
• We will advocate to the Victorian Government to develop a sustainable funding and financing strategy to enable the timely delivery of local infrastructure at Fishermans Bend and to provide early delivery of high frequency public transport links to Fishermans Bend.

Move, Connect, Live Integrated Transport Strategy 2018-28: Outcome 3 Action 26 - advocate to Victorian and Australian Governments to deliver the Fishermans Bend tram by 2022. The Strategy outlines the proposed alignment of the Fishermans Bend tram in Map 3: Council’s proposed public transport network by 2028.

Council has been advocating for the early delivery of the Fishermans Bend Tram since the release of the Fishermans Bend Integrated Transport Plan (PDF 3.3 MB) and the Fishermans Bend Framework.

Victorian Government

Council has been advocating for the early delivery of the Fishermans Bend Tram since the release of the Fishermans Bend Integrated Transport Plan and the Fishermans Bend Framework.

The Victorian Budget 2021/22 invested $15 million over two years to plan for a potential tram service between Fishermans Bend and the CBD.

The project supports Victorian Government goals and outcomes outlined under the Fishermans Bend Integrated Transport Plan 2017:

In the medium term, it is recommended that northern and southern light rail connections are provided to support precinct development and growth, with the initial priority being the northern alignment.

Simple Connected Journeys Strategic Plan 2019-23: Design and plan a people-focused system - Planning for transport connections between Fishermans Bend and the Melbourne CBD

Fishermans Bend Framework: Sustainability goal 1 - a connected and liveable community

Objective 1.1 Deliver public transport services that connect to the existing Melbourne network and are a 10-minute walk from all residences and workplaces

Australian Government

The proposal aligns with the Australian Government Infrastructure Investment Program, which is part of the Government’s broader strategy to bust congestion, better connect our regions, meet our national freight challenge, get Australians home sooner and safer, and build a stronger and more resilient Australia.

How does the initiative assist the community to recover from COVID-19?

The early delivery of tram services and dedicated active transport infrastructure into the precincts of Fishermans Bend will:

• support greater uptake of COVID-safe travel options through delivery of the tram and associated streetscape and urban realm improvements
• strengthen the economy through linking Fishermans Bend to Docklands and the CBD
• provide greater access to jobs and services

It will align the public transport network with urban redevelopment and the growing population demands on the transport network for getting around Metropolitan Melbourne.

Cost and current status?

Cost

High level cost estimate of $1 billion to $1.5 billion.

Note costing is subject to more detailed cost analysis as part of the Department of Transport’s preliminary business case for public transport in Fishermans Bend, due for completion by June 2023.

Status

• Preliminary business case under development by the Department of Transport
• The Victorian Budget 2021/22 invested $15 million over two years to plan for a potential tram service between Fishermans Bend and the CBD.
• Identified as Recommendation 43 in Infrastructure Victoria’s Infrastructure Victoria Strategy 2021-2051.
• Proposal has been included as a High Priority Initiative within Infrastructure Australia’s Infrastructure Priority List 2021.
• Preliminary scoping completed by the Victorian Government.
• Fishermans Bend Framework 2018, with strategic level tram and active transport network, endorsed.

More information

More information can be found at Fishermans Bend Tram (Victorian Department of Transport).