An Update - October 2005
From Cr. Mick Van De Vreede
The Rowville to Huntingdale Rail
The Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor and representatives from Knox Council met recently, to discuss Council’s views in relation to the need for a heavy rail extension from Huntingdale to Rowville.
Knox Council was very pleased to have the opportunity to present the findings of Council’s pre-feasibility Rowville Rail study to Minister Batchelor.
The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for Council representatives to promote the benefits of a heavy rail link to Rowville and how the project can deliver on many State Government objectives, outlined in its own blueprint, Melbourne 2030.
If the State is to achieve its target of 20% of trips in Melbourne by public transport by 2020, important infrastructure such as the Rowville rail is critical.
Knox Council is committed to actively working with the State Government on this important community issue. It is pleasing that the State Government has begun to listen to the Knox community about community concerns relating to poor public transport services in Knox.
Council continues to support its previous view that a heavy rail link to Rowville is the superior and ultimate option for mass transit of people. The statistics bear this out. A train will carry 2,350 people per hour compared to the Smart buses that will only carry 300-400 people per hour.
The introduction of Smart bus services along Wellington Road and Stud Road in the future has been announced. Council supports their introduction as an excellent short-term measure for improved public transport.
Council’s pre-feasibility study confirmed:
- A Rowville rail is viable in the long term and could serve a population of approximately 100,000 people.
- The rail would remove approximately 2,400 cars per hour from Rowville Roads.
- Most of the alignment could be accommodation in the median of North and Wellington Roads on an elevated structure.
- The 30 minute travel time to the CBD would be quicker than 50 minutes by car during peak times.
- Greater accessibility for non driver residents, e.g. children under 18 years of age, one car households and older people who have relinquished their licences.
The full Rowville Rail Pre-feasibility study is available on www.knox.vic.gov.au
If you have any queries, or comments, please feel free to contact Cr. Mick Van de Vreede on 9763 7017.
Mick Van De Vreede
Tirhatuan WardCouncillor