Hosted by Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin, the forum exposed growing frustration over delayed infrastructure, inadequate bus services and unsafe cycling and pedestrian networks.
The panel featured Katherine Copsey, Greens MLC for Southern Metropolitan; David Southwick, Liberal MLA for Caulfield; and Nina Taylor, Labor member for Albert Park.
A flashpoint was the slow progress of transport infrastructure in Fishermans Bend, Melbourne’s fastest-growing urban renewal precinct. Local resident Bill said a 2018 framework promised two tram lines by 2025, yet neither had been built. Taylor defended Labor’s record, pointing to 1,500 extra weekly bus services since 2022 and saying updated, more practical tram plans were “in the pipeline”. Southwick criticised the lack of a funded, deliverable plan, calling it a major deficiency. Copsey said the government must take direct responsibility for delivering transport infrastructure rather than rely on uncertain private development timeframes.
Funding priorities also came under scrutiny. Asked how they would improve transport while Victoria carried high debt, Copsey said the Greens would tax big banks and gambling corporations and redirect funding from multibillion-dollar toll roads. Southwick called for the Suburban Rail Loop to be paused and reviewed, with funds redirected to projects such as Metro 2 and Fishermans Bend. Taylor defended Labor’s major projects, citing the Metro Tunnel’s “city-shaping” benefits.
Local services also came under scrutiny. Resident Jenny Roper described the 606 bus route as “substandard” and demanded extra services so children and older people were not left behind. Taylor acknowledged heavy peak-hour demand and pledged to keep pushing for upgrades, while Copsey committed to advocating for better off-peak and weekend timetables.
Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack asked the candidates to back the “Gimme 5” campaign, which calls for 5 per cent of the state transport budget to go to active travel. Copsey endorsed it, pointing to Victoria’s historically low investment in cycling. Taylor highlighted the government’s delivery of 410 kilometres of walking and cycling paths over the past decade. Southwick supported accessible networks but declined to make a funding commitment on the night.
Mayor Makin closed the forum by urging residents to keep advocating as the council prepares to review its integrated transport strategy.
Q&A: List of questions raised
During the Q&A, residents raised questions spanning local transport infrastructure, statewide policy and project delivery:
- Gimme 5 Campaign: Will the candidates endorse the “Gimme 5” campaign, which advocates allocating 5 per cent of the state transport budget, outside major projects, to a recurrent active travel budget line for strategic cycling corridors?
- Bus Route 606: Will additional buses or services be added specifically to the 606 bus route, and if so, when will these new services commence?
- Town Hall Access: Will the panel support a safe cycling connection from the St Kilda Town Hall building to the St Kilda Road bike lanes, and what can be done to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility at the “lousy” tram stop directly in front of the building?
- Park Street Tram Link: What are the political parties’ plans for filling the missing 500-metre tram network link in Park Street, South Melbourne?
- Frankston Line Pedestrian Bridge: What is proposed to help commuters cross a major arterial road to connect with the Frankston line now that the planned pedestrian bridge from Cheltenham station has been removed from the Suburban Rail Loop project?
- Transport Funding: If more money is allocated to transport, from which areas or budgets will the respective political parties take those funds?
- School and Recreation Commutes: What are the plans to reduce the number of people driving their children to local schools, sports, and recreation facilities?
- Fishermans Bend Tram Lines: Why has the delivery of two tram lines into Fishermans Bend – originally scheduled for completion by 2025 under the 2018 Fishermans Bend framework – not yet happened?
- One Nation Coalition: If the Liberal Party forms a coalition with One Nation, what impact will that have on their planned rollout of services, and will it dilute or scrap any transport initiatives?
- Active Travel Plan Implementation: What guarantees can be given that the active travel plan will be implemented in a coherent, network-wide fashion rather than suffering the same piecemeal delivery as the bus network?
- Airport Train Link: When will Melbourne see a train connection built to the airport?
- Queens Road Crossing: What permanent crossing arrangements can be established across Queens Road to connect Lakeside Ward residents to Albert Park?
- Lower Speed Limits: Would the panellists support or commit to lower speed limits on local council streets, particularly around school zones and shopping centres?
- Affordable Airport Buses: Is there a way to provide more affordable bus transport to the airport, given the high cost of the current Skybus service?
- Construction Disruption Communication: What can be done to improve communication and notice regarding basic construction works that disrupt bus stop accessibility?
