Melbourne Beyond 5 Million
The Need for Action
Melbourne is growing rapidly. Expected to reach 5 million people by 2025, Melbourne is expected to have between 7 and 8 million people by 2060.
Melbourne can only get better as it gets bigger, if we respond now to the challenges of change.
1. A New 50 Year Plan for Melbourne
Melbourne needs a comprehensive 50 year plan to guide its growth and development, planning for land use, transport, physical and social infrastructure within a new governance framework, bringing together strong State Government leadership with a revitalised, empowered and coordinated local communities.
2. New Governance Framework for Growth
Current governance arrangements are fragmented and reactive rather than coordinated and pro-active. Much planning takes place in departmental and authority “silos”;
Melbourne’s new forward planning process needs to be led by State Government, whether through a Standing Committee of Cabinet, a Metropolitan Planning Authority, or a Minister for Melbourne. Local governments need to form a strong partnership in governance with the State in a new cooperative framework.
3. New Central Activity Centres
Melbourne is growing too large to have only one Central Activity District.
The Central City, focused on the Hoddle Grid and home to the Arts and Sporting Precincts, will continue to be the most important CAD, but others are needed.
Some new CADs have been identified; others may be needed. Each CAD should have its own character, purpose and employment base.
4. Resolving the Density Debate
Already one of the largest cities in the world for its population, Melbourne must rebalance its density to achieve a sustainable future. At least half of Melbourne’s growth should be accommodated within the existing urban centres in order to make best use of existing infrastructure. The new CADs, well-served by public transport and employment, are strong candidates for high density development. Some transport routes may also be able to accommodate significantly higher density residential activity.
5. New Options for the Physical Form of Melbourne
To plan for Melbourne’s growth, strategic choices must be made about the physical form of the city. Options for the overall form and density of the metropolis need to be developed, debated and resolved. Major infrastructure decisions cannot be infinitely flexible. Locations for higher density development need to be resolved and appropriate governance established.
6. Defining the Role of Regional Cities
Regional rail and road links are improving connectivity to regional cities. Some options for Melbourne’s growth would seek to divert more people into regional cities. These options should be thoroughly examined and tested as part of resolving the future form of the metropolis.
7. A new Victorian Infrastructure Commission
As Melbourne approaches 5 million, we will near the end of our infrastructure legacy. As we resolve the future shape of Melbourne, we must make a 50 year staged plan for new infrastructure to serve the metropolis.
A new Infrastructure Commission should oversee planning by various departments, authorities and private providers to ensure that the right infrastructure is in place when and where it is needed.
8. New Transport Initiatives
As Melbourne grows, more trips will use public transport. This underscores the need for more capacity, convenience and efficiency.
We need a central operating agency across all modes of transport so that the public transport system operates as a single coordinated system.
We need to invest in new freight infrastructure capacity including ports.
We need to accelerate the use of electric and low emission vehicles.
9. Securing our Water Supplies
We need to secure a more diverse and reliable water supply to match the shape of the growing metropolis; using best practice recycling and pricing signals, we need to balance water needs with demand as the metropolis grows.
10. Building a new Energy Supply Framework
We need to secure Melbourne’s base and peak load electricity supplies.
We need to increase energy standards for new buildings to help control demand.
Renewable and lower emission energy sources need to be evaluated, planned and deployed; these include wind and solar, local coal seam gas, carbon sequestration and contingency planning for 4th generation nuclear power.
11. Leadership in Communications
Melbourne can become a centre of excellence for broadband technology, and demonstrate now the national broadband network can empower the contemporary city.
12. Innovation in Finance
Victoria should show leadership in the innovative mobilisation of national savings, including superannuation, to finance infrastructure while providing long-term financial security for investors.
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