PROBLEMS ABOUND, BUT
SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE FOR VICTORIA’S INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES THE VICTORIAN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE JOINED KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS FROM ALL OVER VICTORIA AND AUSTRALIA TO GATHER INFORMATION, NETWORK AND GROW AS AN INDUSTRY.
T
he Victorian Transport Infrastructure Conference 2019, the state’s largest transport infrastructure conference, attracted around 250 delegates. The theme of this year’s event, Transporting Victoria Forward, saw an array of speakers from across the industry look to, and plan for, the future of infrastructure in Victoria. Day one of the conference, on May 1, addressed the planning and delivery of present and future infrastructure projects in Victoria. In speaking to presenters Roads and Infrastructure asked them about their views on Victoria’s current developments in the transport and roads sector. Peter Kartsidimas, Senior Manager Transport, Planning and Infrastructure at the 38
ROADS JULY 2019
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria believes Melbourne is hitting a perfect storm in regard to transport issues. “Our population is continuing to grow, our economy is strong and a lot of the jobs are in the CBD area. Everyone wants to travel at the same time and in the same direction and that’s putting pressure on the network,” he says. Kate Roffey, Director of Deals, Investments and Major Projects at Wyndham City Council thinks Melbourne, in particular, is only now catching up to critical transport infrastructure projects. “I think after many years of talking about it we are doing what is critical – the city loop rail system – which is a main congestion area. The government is taking steps to
address that. The level crossing removals are another major problem being tackled. Looking to the future however, there is still more to do,” she says. Allen Garner, from Major Road Projects Victoria, gave an insight into the organisation’s project-focussed view, the increasing need for community engagement, better road safety, and connectivity for the future of Victoria. Mr. Garner also provided updates on a few of the many projects operating around the state, such as the Western Road Upgrades and the Monash Tullamarine and M80 projects. Catherine Rooney from Infrastructure Victoria gave the audience an overview of the update of Victoria’s 30-year
