Developing Melbourne Metro Options to increase Melbourne’s rail capacity have been under development for several years. Following extensive transport planning and a comprehensive assessment process, substantial new investment in rail infrastructure – delivered through Melbourne Metro – has been assessed as the best solution to providing the uplift in public transport capacity needed to support Melbourne’s needs over the coming decades. Melbourne Metro was also assessed as being the most cost-effective way to expand the core of the rail network while also providing for further capacity uplifts in the future. Once Melbourne Metro was identified as the preferred solution, vertical and horizontal alignment options and potential train station locations were identified, developed and assessed. The criteria used for this assessment included customer experience (such as ease of interchange between transport modes), transport system outcomes (such as the reliability and frequency of services), disruption (such as the impacts during construction on the transport network, open spaces, residences and businesses) and cost (such as construction, operation and property costs and value for money). These assessments carried out in collaboration with Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and other stakeholders have progressively refined and improved the design of Melbourne Metro to avoid major adverse impacts and achieve the greatest potential benefits from the project. Particular attention has been given to reducing disruption in central Melbourne and to moving construction activities in and out of the CBD as quickly as possible. Planning for Melbourne Metro Melbourne Metro is being assessed under the Environment Effects Act 1978, which provides for the assessment of projects that the Minister for Planning has determined could have a significant effect on the environment. The EES On 2 September 2015, the Minister for Planning determined that the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority (MMRA), as the project proponent, must prepare an EES to allow the Minister to assess the environmental effects of the works proposed to be carried out for the project. The Minister’s reasons for the determination included the potential impacts of a large scale infrastructure construction project in an intensely developed urban area and the importance of subjecting the project to a robust and transparent assessment of the potential environmental effects and the effectiveness of measures to manage and mitigate these effects.
All Melbourne Metro stations would be fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, with specific consideration being given to disability access for Parkville station, including high capacity lifts at each station entrance. DDA-compliant tram superstops would be provided in Royal Parade and St Kilda Road. Once operational, the new stations would also provide opportunities for the relevant Councils to invest in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure to encourage people to walk or ride to the stations as part of their journeys. Social benefits Melbourne Metro would deliver a large social benefit to the wider community as it would increase the capacity of the metropolitan transport network to cater for the anticipated growth in travel demand. This would enable people to continue to access jobs, education, services and valued places across Melbourne as the city grows. Other potential social benefits provided by the project include: Improved access to wider Melbourne for the communities hosting new train stations Increased residential development opportunities and greater housing options in established urban areas Opportunities to reinvigorate adjacent to the new stations Better access to growing employment areas, such as the CBD, Parkville, Monash, Sunshine and Footscray Improved access to facilities such as hospitals and universities and valued places such as the Shrine of Remembrance and the Domain Parklands. Business benefits The accessibility improvements delivered by Melbourne Metro would have significant implications for business activity in the expanded central Melbourne and surrounds. Businesses would be able to locate outside the CBD, but still have ready access to the benefits it provides. They would have better access to customers, suppliers and professional services. Businesses benefit from new retail and commercial development opportunities that would be created through higher density residential development in and around train stations and well-connected activity centres.