Support for Public Transport Upgrades by Council Candidates in 2020 MorelandVotes

Overwhelming endorsement for public transport upgrades by candidates who responded to the Climate Action Moreland and Neighbours United for Climate Action survey in the three wards for the Moreland Council election.

Over two thirds of candidates responded and engaged with the survey. A number of questions focussed on Transport improvement in Moreland, including upgrade of the Upfield Line, extension of tram lines, and increase in walking and cycling infrastructure facilities in Moreland.

Read the full survey responses on Climate Action Moreland for North east ward, North West Ward, South Ward.

Question 8 asked about support for advocacy for upgrading the Upfield rail line. There was overwhelming support by candidates who responded to the survey across Moreland’s three wards.

Question 9 asked about support for advocacy to extend the No 58 tram route from its terminus at Bell street along Derby Street to Hadfield, and extension of the No 19 tram route to Campbellfield. This also received overwhelming support by candidates who responded to the survey across Moreland’s three wards.

North East Ward Responses

The candidates that responded to the survey: (Click on the candidate name for their full response)

Meghan Street (Sue Bolton Community Independents) 10/4/2020 5:13 PM
Lynton Michael Joseph (IND) 10/4/2020 4:49 PM
Annalivia Carli Hannan (Labor) 10/1/2020 8:46 PM
Guess the Troll Candidate 10/1/2020 1:29 PM
Sue Bolton (Sue Bolton Community Independents) 9/30/2020 3:25 PM
Ismene Thiveos (Labor) 9/30/2020 1:36 PM
Adam Pulford (Greens) 9/29/2020 8:32 PM
Dean Norman O’Callaghan (IND) 9/23/2020 1:49 PM
Margee Glover (Reason Party) 9/23/2020 10:30 AM
Muhammad Nisar Ul Murtaza (IND) 9/21/2020 2:50 PM

Q8 Transport: Upfield Rail Upgrade – Problems with parking and traffic congestion, capacity issues of public transport (once the pandemic passes) necessitate solutions for upgrading the Upfield Line. According to Infrastructure Australia, the northern region Transport Corridor will reach and exceed capacity in the next decade. Will you support duplication and extension of the Upfield rail line to Craigieburn and Wallan for provision of a more reliable and frequent rail service catering for the growing population in Moreland and residents in new growth suburbs further north?
Answered: 9 Skipped: 1

Strongly Agreed:
Meghan Street (Sue Bolton Community Independents)
Lynton Michael Joseph (IND)
Annalivia Carli Hannan (Labor)
Sue Bolton (Sue Bolton Community Independents)
Ismene Thiveos (Labor)
Adam Pulford
Dean Norman O’Callaghan (IND)
Margee Glover (Reason Party)
Muhammad Nisar Ul Murtaza (IND)

Q9 Transport: Tram Network Extension: As a Councillor will you support ongoing advocacy for the Victorian State Government to extend the No 58 West Coburg Tram along Derby street in Pascoe Vale, and No 19 North Coburg tram routes further north along Sydney Road to Campbellfield?
Answered: 7 Skipped: 1

Q10. Transport: Mode shift – What actions will you be pushing for to facilitate a mode shift to more sustainable modes of transport in Moreland as part of, or beyond, Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy (MITS), including changes to parking restrictions, increasing public transport advocacy, cycling and walking infrastructure?

Meghan Street (Sue Bolton Community Independents): The cities and countries across the world that have successfully decreased their car usage have implemented a facilitation strategy, making it as easy as possible to take sustainable alternatives. They have made their train/tram and bus systems thoroughly networked, reliable, frequent and importantly affordable. They have developed well networked, safe, and well lit cycling and walking pathways.

I will push for more facilitative and less punitive strategies to decrease car usage. Punitive measures that make it harder to use a car are not successful in the absence of reliable, frequent and networked public transport, cycling and walking networks. Moreland should be doing investigative work to identify barriers to take up of public transport by groups at risk of transport poverty, ie young people, young families and those on restricted incomes, such as pensioners and the unemployed. We also need the Moreland Council to dramatically increase its advocacy around public transport. It isn’t good enough to say that the existence of a train line and trams means that we have sufficient public transport.

Moreland council should actively petition the state government for the duplication of the Upfield Line and work with Hume council to this end. We know that the unreliability of the Upfield line because of the single track at the end means that many people in the north have resorted to driving because they can’t trust their local train service. There are too many train cancellations for people who live north of Bell St. For people living north of where the tram line ends, frequent train cancellations mean that these people have NO public transport route into the city.

We need to duplicate the Upfield Line and increase frequency at peak hour and throughout the day and night on both train lines that go through Moreland, extend the #19 tram to Campbelfield, extend the Melville Rd tram to Boundary Rd, make sure that all bus routes go from first train to last train, with a 10 minute bus service during the peak periods.

All bus routes need to operate at night and throughout the weekend. There’s also a need to install more seats and shelters at bus stops to encourage bus use. The tram routes need to have an increased frequency during the daytime and at night to alleviate overcrowding.

There also need to be more pedestrian crossings, especially on busy roads so that people feel safe to walk around their neighbourhoods. When new apartment blocks get built with supermarkets on the ground floor which will attract a lot of pedestrians, plans need to be made immediately to install pedestrian crossings. There are many areas around Moreland where there need to be pedestrian crossings – eg Moreland Road near the IGA, Murray Rd, Sydney Rd near Gowrie Station to name just a few.

We need to take this opportunity of the pandemic when there has been a massive increase in people cycling to increase the council budget for safe cycling paths, both making current cycling paths safer, and constructing new cycling paths. We are strongly committed to finishing the Craigieburn shared path, building the missing link in the Upfield shared path between Box Forest Rd and the M80, creating a Fawkner shimmy and building the Glenroy to Coburg bike route. There are many other improvements needed – these are just a few. 10/4/2020 5:13 PM

Lynton Michael Joseph (IND): The introduction of any sustainable modes of transport is also dependent on the current surroundings. Ideally, since covid, car pooling is something that may be put into question with current social distancing measures.

Walking, in certain areas is still not desirable so going a step back to consider developing areas into a ‘safer’ bracket with additional lighting and markings. What was noticeable during the lockdown with curfews, was the feeling of tension within the streets. Naturally walking, cycling, running, transport and ride pooling are ideal strategies, however, without now considering the impact of Covid, and the rules which are ever changing, some of these obvious strategies will need to be tailored. Any way of encouraging the reduction of cars on the road, by perhaps introducing staggered working hours, as a flow on effect all around will help mitigate this problem. 10/4/2020 4:49 PM

Annalivia Carli Hannan (Labor): I am very supportive of increased walking infrastructure and improving pedestrian safety. Cyclists should be encouraged and redirected to safer routes with less interaction with cars, trams and other hazards, wherever possible. Council should invest to facilitate the development of safer cycling routes for the community. I am opposed to the MITS approach to car parking and will advocate for it to be reversed. I oppose the two hour parking restrictions and oppose a blanket approach to zero carparking developments which have proven to have failed time and again over the last term of Council. I believe we must retain carparking, especially in and around public transport infrastructure like our train stations. 10/1/2020 8:46 PM

Sue Bolton (Sue Bolton Community Independents): The things which have the biggest impact on reducing car useage are public transport availability, safe cycling paths, pedestrian safety and the proximity of shops and parks.

When public transport increases in frequency and span of hours, people do use it and leave cars behind. That is the international experience. Cars only got entrenched in western society when public transport got destroyed. A huge amount of public transport was destroyed in Australia in order to force people to buy cars and become reliant on cars. We need to take this opportunity of the pandemic when there has been a massive increase in people cycling to increase the council budget for safe cycling paths, both making current cycling paths safer, and constructing new cycling paths. We are strongly committed to finishing the Craigieburn shared path, building the missing link in the Upfield shared path between Box Forest Rd and the M80, creating a Fawkner shimmy and building the Glenroy to Coburg bike route. There are many other improvements needed – these are just a few.

We also need the Moreland Council to dramatically increase its advocacy around public transport. It isn’t good enough to say that the existence of a train line and trams means that we have sufficient public transport. We know that the unreliability of the Upfield line because of the single track at the end means that many people in the north have resorted to driving because they can’t trust their local train service.

There are too many train cancellations for people who live north of Bell St. For people living north of where the tram line ends, frequent train cancellations mean that these people have NO public transport route into the city. We need to duplicate the Upfield Line and increase frequency at peak hour and throughout the day and night on both train lines that go through Moreland, extend the #19 tram to Campbelfield, extend the Melville Rd tram to Boundary Rd, make sure that all bus routes go from first train to last train, with a 10 minute bus service during the peak periods.

Ismene Thiveos (Labor): I will be pushing for increasing infrastructure for cycling and walking; and have been and will continue to advocate for public transport upgrades.

However, I do have issues with the MITS policy as it stands – the consequence of it is that it unfairly impacts those who, to no fault of their own, rely on a car. Taking such a punitive approach to residential parking is unfair and needs to be reviewed. 9/30/2020 1:36 PM

Adam Pulford (Greens): My vision for Moreland is one of thriving, healthy, sustainable and jobs-rich local neighbourhoods, where it is easy for everyone to get around on foot, cycling and on public transport. I will work to continue and improve the implementation of the Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy, with community engagement.

I am proud that the Greens led the doubling the per head spending on bike and pedestrian infrastructure over the current Council term, and will continue to advocate and work for greater investment in cycling and walking infrastructure. I will be a strong advocate for more and better public transport, including trains, trams and buses, for Moreland and our growing population. 9/29/2020 8:32 PM

Dean Norman O’Callaghan (IND): A “no car” household grant to pay for good bikes. > Regular trial days of car free shopping days on Sydney rd and Lygon St. 9/23/2020 1:49 PM

Margee Glover (Reason Party): Undertake further parking survey and modelling work in and around Activity Centres and Neighbourhood Centres to develop a comprehensive car parking plan to fully understand the impacts of revised parking requirements and inform a future planning scheme amendment.

Many people within our community cycled to work or school, or recreationally, including me, and it is important to continue to invest in safe, direct and continuous bike routes, separate from other forms of traffic but have inclusive transport policies. 9/23/2020 10:30 AM

Muhammad Nisar Ul Murtaza (IND): As sustainability has three main components and sustainable transport balances our current
and future needs, it is need of time to promote positive active transport culture (without significant capital investment). It could be done by following different ways :

1. Make public transport more cost effective
2. Provide discount bike share
3. Advocate for sustainable transport infrastructure in neighbourhood houses.
4. Encourage businesses and employers to play their role in creating the incentives and infrastructures to encourage employees to engage in sustainable community. Disincentive driving. 9/21/2020 2:50 PM

North West Ward Responses

The candidates that responded to the survey: (Click on the candidate name for their full response)

1 Monica Harte (Sue Bolton Community Independants) 10/5/2020 6:31 AM
2 Baris Duzova (IND)
3 Praveen Kumar (Labor) 10/3/2020 8:21 PM
4 Daniel Taylor (Victorian Socialists) 9/30/2020 8:07 PM
5 Shaun Minehan (IND) 9/27/2020 5:42 PM
6 Shanaka Perera (IND) 9/26/2020 9:50 PM
7 Angelica Panopoulos (GREENS) 9/26/2020 8:56 PM
8 Chris Miles (ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY) 9/26/2020 5:59 PM
9 Oscar Yildiz (IND) 9/20/2020 9:25 PM
10 Mohamad Elmustapha (IND) 9/18/2020 11:35 PM

The following candidates all Strongly Agreed:
Monica Harte (Sue Bolton Community Independents)
Baris Duzova (IND)
Praveen Kumar (Labor)
Daniel Taylor (Victorian Socialists)
Shaun Minehan (IND)
Shanaka Perera (IND)
Angelica Panopoulos (Greens)
Chris miles (Animal Justice Party)
Oscar Yildiz (IND) – recontesting Councillor
Mohamad Elmustapha (IND)

The following candidates all Strongly Agreed:
Monica Harte (Sue Bolton Community Independents)
Baris Duzova (IND)
Praveen Kumar (Labor)
Daniel Taylor (Victorian Socialists)
Shaun Minehan (IND)
Angelica Panopoulos (Greens)
Chris miles (Animal Justice Party)
Oscar Yildiz (IND) – recontesting Councillor
Mohamad Elmustapha (IND)

Undecided: Shanaka Perera (IND)

Monica Harte (Sue Bolton Community Independents): The key focus is integration , and central to that is public transport. It is nearly 30 years since the fight to save our Upfield Line was won. We had successive State Governments planning to rip up railway lines,a strong road lobby, and a struggle to put public transport on the agenda. Struggle and campaigns are critical for our public transport infrastructure to now grow. Population density demands increased PT frequency, Upfield duplication, train and tram line extensions. Community campaigns and Council advocacy are the energy and fuel for sustained pressure on State Government. It is a northern issue with a need for combined advocacy with adjoining councils . Advocacy.for Increases to east west bus infrastructure , night and weekend services , especially in NW ward is critical . Council has done a lot of work on cycling , budgets needs to be maintained for improvements to cycling infrastructure in the north Craigieburn ,Upfield paths, Glenroy /Coburg. Walking means looking at areas of walking safety eg. , footpath infrastructure , risks area , lighting and safety on access to stations., especially in NW, ,Integration is key , but MITS is not balanced in reflecting the realities of the diverse transport needs of the community. We are a large municipality within a large city. There is not equitable transport access across Moreland. There are diverse needs. Many do not work in the city, or regular hours . The needs of families are complex. Community consultation around parking restrictions is essential , not measures which discriminate or penalise. 10/5/2020 6:31 AM

Baris Duzova (IND): I believe MITS should be revised to better suit the needs of different groups of residents in Moreland. In addition to the extension of the Upfield line and no. 58 & no.19 trams I also support the addition of further bus routes and increasing the frequency of buses on existing routes for more accessible transport options within Moreland. 10/4/2020 11:08 PM

Praveen Kumar (Labor) Moreland Labor supports sustainable modes of transport advocacy but does not support the MITS as it is a punitive approach which is not inclusive of a diverse community and penalises those who are less able. The MITS sets sustainable transport options in competition with each other and is and will have long term detrimental impacts on our urban amenity. In fact it discriminates against members of our community and those from other communities who contribute to ours through work or commerce. Carbon footprint should not be measured on the contribution of one sector but rather as a holistic approach . 10/3/2020 8:21 PM

Daniel Taylor (Victorian Socialists) We must campaign for the extension of both the 19 and 58 tram lines, as well as the duplication and extension of the Upfield line to increase transport options for people who live north of Bell St, where public transport options are limited. Council should also campaign for increased, more reliable, bus services. In some parts of the NW ward, such as Gowenbrae, there are no busses after 7pm on a weeknight, and none at all on Sunday. Free, fast, and reliable public transport is what we need. Improving cycling infrastructure is also crucial – I’m concerned that some proposed developments, such as the Bunnings development in South Ward, will disrupt existing bike paths and routes, making cycling less safe in the area. There should be extensive community consultation before any changes are made to parking restrictions. 9/30/2020 8:07 PM

Shaun Minehan (IND): Walking infrastructure is especially poor in parts of Hadfield, Glenroy and Gowanbrae. I will support capital works funding to fix this. Paint is not infrastructure and if elected I will vote on Council to create cycling paths that provide the user with a better cycling experience. I will also advocate for healthy, everyday cycling as the best transport option and work with advocacy groups to end policies that discourage cycling such as mandatory helmet laws. I note the Greens Party for some reason support mandatory helmet laws. 9/27/2020 5:42 PM

Shanaka Perera (IND): I don’t agree with the MITS as it currently stands but I would want an integrated transport strategy to embrace technological trends as it pertains to all modes of transport, including cars, such as infrastructure to support 24 hour driverless cars, trams, buses, etc in an integrated, technology-driven framework. This is where I see the future of transport heading and much of the technology already exists but needs supporting infrastructure to work (e.g. driverless, battery powered cars). 9/26/2020 9:50 PM

Angelica Panopoulos (Greens): I am committed to working with the community to ensure that MITS is implemented effectively. A core component of this is ensuring that pedestrian, biking and public transport infrastructure is adequately invested in and funded. The Greens Councillors have successfully led the push to double the per head spend on bike and pedestrian infrastructure in this current Council term. The Greens will maintain this momentum, particularly given the Covid pandemic, where we are increasingly relying on our open spaces and social distancing is required. I am especially passionate about strong advocacy for improved public transport services. We need public transport to be a frequent, reliable, safe and affordable alternative to driving. Take the 542 bus route, for example. It is one such bus that takes you to the Broadmeadows shopping centre, the Pascoe Vale Road shops in Glenroy, Pascoe Vale station and numerous strip shops along the way. This is an incredibly useful bus route. However, it often comes once every 50 minutes. The last service from Pascoe Vale Station on a weeknight, is at 7:32pm. This isn’t good enough. As a thriving region, we need services to run at least once every 15 minutes. We need specific night shuttle services. We need more visibility and safety measures introduced around our train stations and bus terminals, so that when we are using them after dark, we feel safe. As a young woman just living in this area, I indeed understand some of the barriers to using active transport and that these need to be addressed to achieve mode shift. 9/26/2020 8:56 PM

Chris Miles (Animal Justice Party): as a cyclist we need to make cycling safer so more people will use it as a way of getting from A to B 9/26/2020 5:59 PM

Oscar Yildiz (IND): I believe we need more funding for public transport including the duplication of the Upfield line including the extension of the North Coburg Tram and Melville Rd Tram. 9/20/2020 9:25 PM

Mohamad Elmustapha (IND): Actions that I would push for to facilitate for a more sustainable mode of transport, is to create more bike tracks on our roads and provide clear, smooth walking tracks for people to walk on safely. I would also promote the use of public transport to decrease the amount of vehicles on the road to decrease congestion and allow for more safer travel. 9/18/2020 11:35 PM

South Ward Responses

The candidates that responded to the survey: (Click on the candidate name for their full response)

1 Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents) 10/2/2020 5:04 PM
2 Melissa Yuan (IND) 10/1/2020 9:16 PM
3 Shea Evans (IND) 10/1/2020 3:49 PM
4 Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists) 9/30/2020 8:30 PM
5 Rachel Payne (Reason Party) 9/30/2020 4:50 PM
6 Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents) 9/30/2020 12:37 PM
7 Mark Riley (Greens) 9/28/2020 8:57 PM
8 James Conlan (Greens) 9/28/2020 9:45 AM
9 Helen Breier (Labor) 9/28/2020 8:23 AM
10 John Durrant (IND) 9/27/2020 2:19 PM
11 George Georgiou (IND) 9/24/2020 12:49 PM
12 Robert Durkacz (IND) 9/24/2020 3:35 AM
13 Lambros Tapinos (Labor) 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Strongly Agreed:
1 Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents)
2 Melissa Yuan (IND)
3 Shea Evans (IND)
4 Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists)
5 Rachel Payne (Reason Party)
6 Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents)
7 Mark Riley (Greens)
8 James Conlan (Greens)
9 Helen Breier (Labor)
10 John Durrant (IND)
11 George Georgiou (IND)
12 Lambros Tapinos (Labor)

Undecided:
1 Robert Durkacz (IND)

Pauline Galvin (Sue Bolton Community Independents): In order to facilitate mode shift it is critical that sustainable alternatives are available, attractive and safe. We need analysis based prioritisation of transport infrastructure that addresses current identified risks, and which identifies barriers to use of active transport modes. We need to adopt a strategic approach to public transport advocacy for the Northern Region. Moreland should be doing investigative work to identify barriers to take up of public transport by groups at risk of transport poverty, ie young people, young families and those on restricted incomes, such as pensioners and the unemployed. Moreland needs to strengthen the requirements on developers to be accountable for transport safety impacts of their developments. 10/2/2020 5:04 PM

Melissa Yuan (IND): I would like to see a thorough review of the Infrastructure plans and priorities for the next term of Council. These should also be subject to a “scorecard” review which assesses their contribution to sustainable development. Apart from recent controversies around parking, there is broad community consensus on sustainable transport. What seems to be lacking is implementation. In terms of the State Government, I am advocating a Mayor for the duration of the next term of Council to ensure consistent and sustained lobbying. Many infrastructure and transport projects Moreland cannot do alone; buy-in is essential. It is likely that Federal and State government economic stimulus will include additional funds for infrastructure – we need to be in the box seat to take advantage of this. 10/1/2020 9:16 PM

Shea Evans (IND): Safety and connectivity are the two big issues that MITS need to solve. Safety for all road users, which would then increase cycling and walking. This safety comes in a few forms, from upgrading current paths and walkways and including better design in future plans. Better access to Public Transport and better infrastructure would allow more people to utilise public transport for inter-suburban travel. Council should be using MITS and other expert opinions to come up with better solutions on how people can get around Moreland. 10/1/2020 3:49 PM

Nahui Jimenez (Victorian Socialists): Council must campaign for the extension of both the 19 and 58 tram lines, as well as the duplication and extension of the Upfield line to increase transport options for people who live, or need to travel, north of Bell St, where public transport options are limited. Council should also campaign for increased, more reliable, bus services, particularly east west busses. We need free, fast, and reliable public transport. Improving cycling infrastructure is also crucial – I’m concerned that some proposed developments, such as the Bunnings development on Glenlyon Rd, will disrupt existing bike paths and routes, making cycling less safe in the area. There should be extensive community consultation before any changes are made to parking restrictions. 9/30/2020 8:30 PM

Rachel Payne (Reason Party): I will lobby the State Govt to improve transport for Moreland residents by (1) pushing for an extension of the Upfield train-line to Craigieburn and Wallan (2) push for more trains more often on the Upfield line.

As someone who commutes into the city the trains don’t come frequently enough (on the Upfield line). There should be solid investment and commitment to upgrading the Upfield bike path – better lighting and widening to make it safer and more accessible to more bike-riders. I don’t agree with the idea of a ‘bike superhighway’ down Sydney Rd – this doesn’t encourage a mentality to stop and shop or eat at a restaurant and would kill business on Sydney Rd. There are better places to offer bike paths that would be safer and more accessible.

I will advocate for an extension of the 19 tram line. The more public transport is on offer to all of Moreland and beyond the less cars will be on the road as it will be quicker for commuting.

I will be pushing for Moreland to reuse and recycle tyres for urban use, through innovative technologies. Bike paths, walking tracks and low-traffic roads can be created using recycled/repurposed tyres. This is much cooler than asphalt/concrete, environmentally sustainable and reduced landfill (50M tyres a year go into landfill) and is also naturally irrigating as water flows through. This creates a safer alternative to concrete as water will irrigate and is low-impact.

I’m also advocating for a Street Safety for Women campaign to encourage street safety for women when walking in Moreland, particularly at night. This would be a education campaign as well as a ‘neighbourhood watch’ app that would provide added safety. Many women in Moreland, myself included, feel unsafe at night and this needs to stop. I walk everywhere at night and often don’t feel safe. Council could do so much in this space to educate community, encourage community engagement and support women.

I also think the limited parking for residents in new, high density living needs to be reviewed. It seems that the community overwhelmingly doesn’t feel this is working and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to get around without using a car, but telling people you can’t have a car is not working. Many two-person households may have one car between them and only use it on weekends to go to regional Victoria for example. I think this policy should be reviewed and the onus should be on the developer to plan for enough car spaces to accommodate these residents. I’m not saying a car park per person but something realistic that ensures cars aren’t being parked on the street or in council car parks. I also feel that this reduction in parking is also in developments outside of activity areas and needs to be reviewed.

I do agree with parking limits and think it should be space only used for those stopping and shopping (i.e. 1-2 hours).

I would also like to see some of the streets that are treated as peak-hour thoroughfares such as Albion St reviewed to slow down drivers and get them back onto the main roads like Moreland. Hopefully the rail overpass will see less congestion on these routes. 9/30/2020 4:50 PM

Jacob Andrewartha (Sue Bolton Community Independents): If elected I’ll push for solutions that have the biggest impact on reducing car usage which include advocating for increased public transport availability, safe cycling paths, pedestrian safety and the proximity of shops and parks. International experience shows that when public transport frequency increases, people begin to opt for it and leave cars behind. When public transport increases in frequency and span of hours, people do use it and leave cars behind. That is the international experience. Cars only got entrenched in western society when public transport got destroyed. A huge amount of public transport was destroyed in Australia in order to force people to buy cars and become reliant on cars.

The opportunities raised by this pandemic is there has being a trend of a massive increase in people cycling is that we need to increase the council budget for safe cycling paths, both making current cycling paths safer, and constructing new cycling paths.

Sue Bolton Moreland Team are strongly committed to finishing the Craigieburn shared path, building the missing link in the Upfield shared path between Box Forest Rd and the M80, creating a Fawkner shimmy and building the Glenroy to Coburg bike route. Moreland Council needs to step up in it’s advocacy around public transport, rather than just cheering it’s current output of public transport which is clearly not enough to serve the needs of all Moreland residents. The Upfield line must be duplicated with increased frequency at peak hour and throughout the day and night on both train lines. The Route 19 tram line should be extended to Campbellfield. The Route 58 tram line should be extended to Boundary road, all bus routes should be in sync with train routes from the first train to the last train.

There is also a need
to install more seats and shelters at bus stops to encourage bus use. All bus routes need to operate at night and throughout the weekend. There is also a need to install more seats and shelters at bus stops to encourage bus use. The tram routes need to have an increased frequency during the daytime and at night to alleviate overcrowding. There also needs to be more pedestrian crossings, especially on busy roads so that people feel safe to walk around their neighbourhoods. 9/30/2020 12:37 PM

Mark Riley (Greens): Ensuring that the MITS is implemented, the Parking Plan is also implemented and built upon. Resisting the attacks from the parking/private car lobby and to prioritise pedestrians and cycling options, whilst maintaining open dialogue with the community. Continuing to advocate for a higher proportion of funding for pedestrian and biking infrastructure. The Greens Councillors lead the push to doubling the per head spending on bike and pedestrian infrastructure in this current Council term. The Greens will work to keep this momentum up, especially in the COVID pandemic period, where local open spaces and social distancing are such high priorities for communities as we manage our way through COVID. The Greens on Council will push to double the investment in active transport per head of the population in the next term. 9/28/2020 8:57 PM

James Conlan (Greens): Addressing the climate emergency will require us to radically change the way we move around our cities. While it is the state government who funds, plans and manages the public transport system, councils own approximately 90% of the road network. Thus, councils can significantly influence the transition towards active and sustainable transport by making our local streets safer and more attractive to walk and cycle.

That’s why I’m committed to significantly increasing the cycling and walking budgets if elected to council. I’m also committed to ensuring that the walking and cycling projects committed to in council’s own capital works plans are actually built. Too often it’s cycling and walking projects that are delayed or cancelled.

I will ensure the council staff deliver the projects committed to in their own plans. I’m also committed to quieter, safer streets by allocating more space for walking and cycling, where appropriate, and in close consultation with locals. While the state government controls the state-wide public transport network, councils can and should play a vital role in broader public transport advocacy. Moreland Council played a crucial role in the campaign to stop the East West Link by using its platform to elevate the issue.

I would use my position on council to work with local community transport advocacy groups like the Upfield Transport Alliance, Moreland Bicycle User Group, Walk on Moreland, and Moreland Community for Action on Transport in delivering improvements to public transport services. I would also use my position on council to continue the campaign for protected bike lanes on Sydney Road. 9/28/2020 9:45 AM

Helen Breier (Labor): 10. Moreland supports sustainable modes of transport advocacy and increase but does not support the MITS as it is a punitive approach which is not inclusive of a diverse community and penalises those who are less able. The MITS sets sustainable transport options in competition with eachother and is and will have long term detimental impacts on our urban amenity. In fact it discriminates against members of our community and those from other communities who contribute to ours through work or commerce. Carbon footprint should not be measured on the contribution of one sector but rather as a wholistic approach . 9/28/2020 8:23 AM

John Durrant (IND): I will advocate for increased funding for continuous cycle paths around Moreland, improved footpaths and zebra crossing. This will also stimulate local works to support a COVID recovery. For developments, I will ensure sufficient bicycle parking is implemented. I will undertake a survey of parking usage by zero-parking developments. 9/27/2020 2:19 PM

George Georgiou (IND): Make Active Transport a bigger priority in Moreland’s budget and look for new revenue sources to fund an expanded 10-year cycling plan. Charge for short term parking across the city, (MCC owned car parks and major retail streets), but only on the condition that every cent generated goes towards active transport. I believe Sydney Rd would better accommodate our demands if parking was replaced with wider footpaths and dedicated cycling lanes, (option 3). I believe the retailers would also benefit from this as well. Convert 25% of all MCC owned car parks into open space and include active transport connections where there are destinations to link on either end of the new space. By reducing parking at our major local destinations, short trips become inconvenient with the car and people eventually switch their short trips to walking and cycling. 9/24/2020 12:49 PM

Robert Durkacz (IND): revive MITS process 9/24/2020 3:35 AM

Lambros Tapinos (Labor): Increases public transport, cycling and walking improvements 9/19/2020 4:56 PM

Responses are reproduced with permission of Climate Action Moreland and Neighbours United for Climate Action.

Support for Public Transport Upgrades by Council Candidates in 2020 MorelandVotes

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