Melbourne’s interface councils say the state government’s 40-year vision plan for Melbourne fails to address issues that are already affecting people and businesses in outer suburbs.
The 10 interface councils, which include Melton, Hume, Whittlesea and Wyndham, say that Plan Melbourne needs to reflect the current inequity between inner-city and outer suburbs, especially in regards to providing vital infrastructure and services.
They have called for these inequities to be identified and addressed as a matter of priority.
The councils put their position in a joint submission to the government on the plan, which aims to address the challenges of population growth and ensuring economic prosperity and liveability until 2050.
Councils have also forwarded individual submissions to the government planning inquiry.
In their joint submission, they say they endorse improved planning outcomes underpinning the government’s plan and its policy of ensuring all families have access to services and opportunities wherever they live.
But the interface councils claim the government has already failed to fund infrastructure and services for the rapid population growth these areas have experienced.
“It is important to monitor growth on an annual basis and provide advice to the Department of Treasury and Finance on an annual basis,” their joint submission states.
“Tracking the rate [of growth] should allow the department to make financial adjustments, to ensure that essential services and infrastructure are provided on a regular basis.”
The submission calls on the government to acknowledge the long-term consequences of failing to fund growth appropriately.
In a report One Melbourne or Two?, released last year, the interface councils said the government needed to allocate $9.8 billion over 15 years to help fund half the infrastructure and services already needed, including public transport.
