North-south road tunnel next on employers' list - TheAge

VECCI release their wish list.

A POWERFUL employers' group has announced its wish list of transport projects for Melbourne, including a road tunnel from Hoddle Street in Collingwood to CityLink in South Yarra.

The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry was instrumental in putting the plan for a $9 billion east-west road tunnel from Footscray to Clifton Hill on the State Government's agenda.

The first stage of that project is expected to be among the promises in the Government's transport plan expected to be released on Monday.

The chamber believes the Government must begin planning the next wave of transport projects. Key among them is a north-south road tunnel, beginning at the end of the Eastern Freeway in Collingwood and emerging at CityLink in South Yarra.

Other projects it said should be built over the next two decades included a rail line to Melbourne Airport and a rail link to Avalon Airport.

Read the original article at TheAge.com.au

Rudd government's spending list

...The PM is looking for nation-building projects that have social and environmental as well as economic benefits.

He has fast-tracked this process so that Infrastructure Australia has a priority list by year's end.

The ideal would be a reduction in greenhouse gases, improved quality of life, increased productivity, increased competitive advantage and the development of cities and regions.

A perfect starting point is Sir Rod Eddington's east-west road tunnel.

Sir Rod also chairs the Infrastructure Australia panel, but undoubtedly will ensure the independence and integrity of the selections for government approval.

In any case, the strategic east-west tunnel project for Melbourne has long had the strong support of the RACV and Victoria's corporate sector.

It ticks all of Mr Rudd's boxes.

It will combat urban congestion and cuts greenhouse gases by ensuring smooth east-west traffic flows.

It will develop the western suburbs, which have fallen behind other parts of Victoria in job creation.

Another project that fits Mr Rudd's criteria includes Eddington's east-west rail tunnel between Footscray and Caulfield, which will take the pressure off Melbourne's public transport system, unclog our roads and reduce greenhouse gases.

Then there's completion of the Frankston bypass, which can be done fairly quickly...

Read the whole article at HeraldSun.com.au

I'd expect nothing less from Wayne Kayler-Thomson, the CEO of the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI). (*sigh*)