Balance Research

Maribyrnong City Council
Economic Development Section

Attn: Vincent Ryan

Dear Vincent,

             Thank you for your invitation to comment on the 
development plans for the Footscray Transport Hub.

Discussion with yourself and others indicates that Council is 
keen to see a reduction in the growth rate of road transport.

I have provided you with a copy of my recent paper "Can Rail be 
the Solution to Road Traffic Growth?". I invite you to share this 
with any interested parties, and I would be glad to receive any 
feedback as to its relevance and the viability of the ideas 
expressed. The key conclusion, you will recall, was that rail 
will have to grow much more than now expected.

I am preparing a further brief paper which summarises the main 
themes of my work. At this stage I have not been able to tie this 
in to the specific issues concerning Western Region. But there 
are a couple of points which come to mind.

Look at East Side Transport

It is almost certain that the Melbourne Contiguous Development 
Region (CDR) will grow in population and activity far beyond 
today's levels, and that in some decades the majority of the 
growth will be on the Western side.

The Eastern and South-Eastern regions have only limited land for 
development, although the density will increase. The Western 
region has scope for development unrestrained by any natural 
barriers. It therefore follows that in some decades we will see 
at least as great transport demand in the West and North-West as 
we now have on the other side.

The transport infrastructure on the East is generally adequate 
for today's traffic. But when doubling of the task is 
contemplated, decisions will be needed about whether to absorb 
that growth on rail or by building new highway capacity. Parts of 
the E. / S.E. rail network could carry double their present 
traffic, but other parts are nearing capacity.

By the time it doubles again, as it may well do, serious 
investment will be required for rail to be able to achieve its 
goal of limiting the pressure for road growth.

West Side Transport May Follow the East

All this is a precursor of what is likely in the West. In the 
East, Richmond Station has ten platforms, South Yarra six and 
Burnley four and these will not ultimately be enough. We have to 
look not only at increases in the total transport task but 
possible changes in the modal choice of existing travellers.

For the West, North Melbourne has six platforms and Footscray 
four: the Broadmeadows and Upfield lines, also feeding through 
North Melbourne, have two tracks each. North Melbourne and 
Footscray also cater for substantial long-distance traffic which 
is also expected to increase greatly.

The four tracks between North Melbourne and Footscray are already 
considered by some in the rail industry as being overloaded. It 
was just over 20 years ago that this link went from two to four.

It therefore appears that there will be a requirement in the 
plannable future for additional tracks through Footscray. Some of 
these might be on a new alignment, for example for freight or 
interstate services, but a Footscray Station in the year 2050 
with eight tracks does not seem impossible.

Transport authorities have at times stated that a third track 
will be required from Footscray to Newport, and the same may 
apply from Footscray to Sunshine. These would be to allow express 
trains to overtake: the additional track would commence after 
passing through the station, implying that platform capacity was 
not seen as a limiting factor.

I believe that this approach will not hold up. Once the lines are 
carrying a lot more traffic, station time becomes the limiting 
factor. Also, the express and the "stopper" need to be in the 
station at the same time for efficient transfer of travellers.

How and when additional tracks and platforms may eventuate is 
another issue. But I strongly suggest that Council seek the
cooperation of DOI in drawing up plans for the Footscray Station 
Precinct which allow for this to happen in an orderly fashion.

Interchange Principles

Another area of importance in layout of the interchange is to 
have the bus and tram stops at the shortest possible distance 
from the railway platforms.

It is my belief that the main "driver of transport planning" must 
be a focus on those travellers who have the choice of driving a 
car. When such a person has to change vehicles during a trip they 
are very sensitive to inconvenience. Walking distance, exposure 
to the elements, uncertainty and waiting time are all serious 
deterrents. In other cities, the ticketing system must be added 
to this list while in Melbourne, maintaining the present Met Zone 
concept is the imperative.

Footscray Transport Hub

To enhance the convenience of the Footscray Interchange, it would 
be valuable to bring the bus and tram stops within the station 
itself, on a level above the tracks. I believe that the cost of 
this would be justifiable in terms of traveller acceptance of 
transit. This equates to reduction in road traffic growth.

Bringing the tram tracks over the station would also make it 
possible to provide tram connections with Dynon Road and or 
Footscray Road. The alternative of connecting the existing 
Hopkins Street track directly to Dynon Road would rule out an 
easy interchange between tram and train. Growth of the tram 
system to the West of Footscray (perhaps Braybrook?) should not 
be ruled out, so increasing the value of a user-friendly 
interchange.

In this regard I envisage a wide bridge over the tracks, 
providing a number of bus stops and the tramway, with the railway 
booking office also on the bridge. A ramp for trams from Hopkins 
Street, approximately 80 metres long, could possibly be built in 
Leeds Street, with the bridge becoming a feature of the 
Leeds/Irving Street intersection.

On the Eastern side of the bridge, provision would be required 
for a bus turn-back as well as bus access from Hopkins, Moore and 
Napier Streets. This could involve a bus/tram roadway linking 
directly Northwards to Hopkins Street.

If you have any questions about this submission, please call the 
undersigned on 03-9689-7555.



Yours sincerely,




Michael Isaachsen