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CfMP urges Infrastructure Australia ‘lift gaze’ beyond Frankston


The Committee for Mornington Peninsula (CfMP) is disappointed that the priority list released by Infrastructure Australia (IA) today doesn’t include a commitment for any infrastructure projects for the Mornington Peninsula.

IA have proposed an ‘initiative’ for public transport connectivity improvements to, and through, Frankston, with a view that these improvements should support major redevelopments to the east of Frankston. Elements identified by IA for such an initiative, include:

  • optimising the existing bus network
  • increasing bus service frequency and coverage
  • upgrades to rail services and infrastructure.

The CfMP is urging IA to ‘life its gaze’ beyond the east of Frankston in relation to transport requirements to consider the needs of the Mornington Peninsula and explore the staged electrification of the rail line beyond Frankston along the Stony Point line and freight rail connections to Cranbourne line.

President of CfMP, the Hon Bruce Billson emphasised the significant public transport and infrastructure challenges faced by the Mornington Peninsula.
“Our region has the lowest access to public transport facilities within metropolitan Melbourne, and this raises the question again about whether policy makers and transport planners even consider the Mornington Peninsula to be part of the metropolitan Melbourne”, Mr Billson said.

“This impacts our community by inhibiting access to educational services, jobs and visitor connections to the region.
“The recent CfMP study on available land for local employment creation examined journey to work data and found that 45% of Mornington Peninsula residents with a job leave the Peninsula, some commuting significant distances, to their place of employment.

“Improving this employment ‘self containment’ with more local livelihood opportunities must be complemented by improved transport options and linkages for those forced to leave the Peninsula for work.

“This must involve IA lifting its gaze beyond the east of Frankston in relation to transport requirements to consider the needs of the Mornington Peninsula, and this will be the CfMP focus as the process moves into the “initiative identification and options development’ phase”, Mr Billson said.
Mr Billson added that the release of the Commonwealth-funded ‘business case’ undertaken by the State Government into extended the Frankston line electrification to Baxter would provide key insights and analysis on the best next steps for improving rails services for the Peninsula.

As outlined in by the recent “Better Buses” campaign by the Mornington Peninsula Shire:

  • 82% of the Peninsula is not serviced by public transport.
  • The Shire has the second lowest provision of public transport out of the 31 councils in the
    Melbourne metropolitan area.
  • 2 out of 3 major activity centres on the Peninsula are not serviced by rail; the third has a
    diesel service on a limited timetable.
  • The lack of public transport options impacts on the community in different ways according to
    their needs and stages of life (e.g. young, elderly, people with disabilities);
  • Due to the lack of public transport on the Peninsula, our residents are almost six times less
    likely to travel to work by public transport than Greater Melbourne;
  • A mere 3% of Shire residents take public transport to work, compared with 15% across
    Greater Melbourne.
    Aside from public transport, the CfMP have identified a number of infrastructure needs in their Strategic Plan for the region including:
  • Development of infrastructure to enable Class A recycled water to be affordably available to support the region’s agricultural production
  • A need for re-examination of Government policy to support the considered development of the Port of Hastings & reduce potential Port Phillip impacts
  • A need to improve poor broadband & mobile services
    The Infrastructure Australia 2020 priority list also identified improved capacity in east coast deep
    water container port facilities as a national priority.
    Mr Billson said CfMP hoped this national priority identification would prompt a ‘serious, sober and sensible rethink’ about future plans for Western Port as a significant freight hub


Our CEO Josh Sinclair joined Brendon Telfer on RPPFM this month to talk about the merger of Committee for Greater Frankston and Committee for Mornington Peninsula, and how the new Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula will be able to more effectively advocate for our region. …


Presented by NAB Business Banking Mornington, the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula invite CFMP Members to attend an afternoon briefing with NAB Senior Economist Brody Viney where Brody will share his insights and provide an update on the global, Australian, and local Frankston & Mornington Peninsula economy. …


Mornington Peninsula Shire has joined the Committee for Mornington Peninsula as a community member, strengthening our collective voice as we continue to work hard and advocate for our region.    …


Committee for Mornington Peninsula hosted a Shadow Ministerial Roundtable with Sam Groth MP to discuss with the Peninsula's leading tourism stakeholders about the competitive advantages and genuine challenges for our region.  …


The Committee for Mornington Peninsula was pleased to take part in a discussion with Minister for Roads and Road Safety, the Hon. Melissa Horne, and representatives from the Department of Transport about Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula's road network. …


The Committee for Mornington Peninsula facilitated a briefing with the UK Consul-General this week to discuss trade, export and visa arrangements under the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom. …


Committee for Mornington Peninsula is making good its aim of identifying and contacting decision-makers to help achieve its “long-term outcomes” and “strategic objectives.

…


Our CEO sat down with Tracee Hutchison for 'Peninsula Talks' on RPPFM - Your Peninsula Radio to discuss the Victorian Government's announcement that the Port of Hastings would be home to the Renewable Energy Terminal of Victoria. …


The Committee for Mornington Peninsula met with Member for Hastings, Paul Mercurio, to discuss our shared objectives and priorities for Western Port. The Committee is seeking to work with local, state and federal government to attract major investment on the Westernport side of the Mornington Peninsula.  …


Join Committee for Mornington Peninsula members for a coffee and light breakfast to meet with business leaders and discuss industry issues in our region. …


Join Committee for Mornington Peninsula members for a coffee and light breakfast to meet with business leaders and discuss industry issues in our region. …


The Committee for Mornington Peninsula was pleased to be able meet with Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Federal Member for Flinders Zoe McKenzie to discuss the priorities for our region - including keeping jobs here on the peninsula, addressing disadvantage, and fighting for our fair share of government investment. …

If there’s one thing that unites us as a community, it’s our need for health, wellbeing and education.

If there’s one thing that unites us as a community, it’s our need for health, wellbeing and education.

In the case of the Mornington Peninsula, we deserve better healthcare and education systems.

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The Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula is an independent, member-based organisation committed to leading and influencing long-term outcomes for our region.

Postal address: Level 1, 328 Main St, Mornington VIC 3931
Office address: G7/786 Esplanade, Mornington VIC 3931
info@cfmp.org.au
Phone: 0477 309 313

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The Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong people, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters.
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