By Holly McGuinness
Councils from across Melbourne’s northern suburbs, including Whittlesea and Hume, will lobby the state and federal governments for transport infrastructure upgrades.
The Northern Councils Alliance comprises seven councils in the north. The alliance has developed two transport strategies – the Northern Region Transport Strategy and Northern Region Transport Study Stage 2: Bus Networks – which outline necessary improvements to transport in the north.
The plans call for a bus service between Craigieburn and Melbourne Airport, a suburban rail loop bus service and better connections to La Trobe University in Bundoora.
The alliance also wants the Upfield train line extended and for the Outer Metropolitan Ring Transport Corridor to be built.
Hume mayor Carly Moore said the northern suburbs are the engine room of Victoria’s economy.
“It needs a vastly improved and interconnected transport system if it is to reach its full potential and support the northern region’s economic importance to the state,” she said.
The alliance said that if current trends continue, Melbourne’s northern suburbs will grow to a population of 1.5 million by 2026, a 2.8 per cent growth rate compared to greater Melbourne at 1.5 per cent growth.
The alliance said the population boom highlights the need for solid investment in infrastructure, as the existing infrastructure is inadequate to support business growth, employment accessibility, education and health services.
