The Victorian Auditor General today has confirmed what families in Wyndham already know – that without urgent investment in suburban public transport and roads, congestion will continue to grow, State Member for Tarneit Tim Pallas said today.

Mr Pallas said the Victorian Auditor General’s report – Developing Transport Infrastructure and Services for Population Growth Areas – was further evidence the Napthine Government’s $8 billion tunnel will do nothing to improve Wyndham transport options or reduce congestion in Melbourne suburbs.

“In fact, when Denis Napthine spends $8 billion on this tunnel it means that other transport projects like new train lines; and new and upgraded roads that are urgently needed now won’t be built for decades,” Mr Pallas said.

“The Auditor General has blown the whistle on the complete inadequacy of transport in key growth areas across Melbourne, including Wyndham.

“In his scathing report, the Victorian Auditor General said that despite population in the growth areas estimated to grow by 77 per cent there is ‘no clear state-wide strategy’ to address transport needs.”

Mr Pallas said this was the second year in a row the Victorian Auditor General had slammed the Liberal State Government for failing to have a state-wide strategy to improve transport.

“The report found that Napthine Government funding for outer suburban road funding had been cut from Labor’s $127 million over two years to around $106 million over three.
This means 44 per cent less funding per year.”

“It also found that a plan to fund high priority, low cost transport infrastructure and service improvements in Melbourne suburbs estimated to cost between $75 million and $90 million had been shelved because of ‘limitations of state resources, and a decision to fund other state priorities’.”

The Victorian Auditor General also highlighted key investments funded by Labor including: 

• Extending the metro rail network for Sydenham, Craigieburn and
  South Morang
• Extension of the electrified network to Sunbury
• New stations at Lynbrook, Cardinia Road and Williams Landing
• Regional Rail Link
• Pakenham Bypass
• Deer Park Bypass
• Craigieburn Bypass
• M1 Monash City Link Westgate upgrade
• M80 Ring Road Upgrade

“This report clearly shows Denis Napthine is out of his depth when it comes to providing public transport solutions for Wyndham and Victoria, particularly when it comes to providing road improvements that reduce congestion,” Mr Pallas said.

“Denis Napthine is going to spend $8 billion of Victorian
taxpayers money on a tunnel that no one wants, that no one will use, from a
Premier that no one in Wyndham voted for.

“If Denis Napthine is so convinced that this is the right project then he should take it to the next election and let all Victorians decide.”