Hume Council are On Board
Following a recent NOM by Cr Bell - Hume Council have jumped on board writing to Ben Carroll MP seeking a review into our bus network.
The letter reads
"Wednesday 28 June 2023
The Hon Ben Carroll MP
Minister of Public Transport
121 Exhibition Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Via Email: ben.carroll@parliament.vic.gov.au
Dear Minister
RE: REVIEW OF SUNBURY BUS NETWORK AND LONG-TERM PUBLIC TRANSPORT PLANNING
Hume City Council at its meeting on 22 May 2023 resolved:
"That council write to the Minister of Public Transport and the Member of Sunbury asking that they consider a review of the Sunbury Bus Network"
A copy of the Notice of Motion is attached for further context.
The Sunbury Community is rapidly growing with 889 lots released in the last 2 years and more than 3,700 lots forecast to be released in the next five years. By 2041, Sunbury is forecast to grow to the size of a Bendigo or Ballarat.
As Sunbury grows, significant demand will be placed on infrastructure and transport networks. Access to a safe, reliable and usable public transport system is essential for the present and future livability of Sunbury.
Council welcomes and appreciate the recent investments and planned upgrades by the Victorian State Government of the Sunbury bus terminus and suggests that this provides the perfect opportunity for a network wide renewal of the bus offering in Sunbury.
However more broadly the current bus network in Sunbury has not undergone a significant review or change for more than ten years. Due to the current and future growth of Sunbury it is not meeting the needs of many residents, especially members of the community with differing abilities and needs.
Council is writing to request your support for the Department of Transport and Planning (DPT) to undertake a review of the existing bus network in Sunbury as a priority. This review should examine:
a) Route coverage
b) Service frequency
c) Utilization
d) Service delivery models, and
e) Options to extend the service beyond the current service end time, including consideration of the introduction of a limited on-demand style service.
Additionally, the three new train stations along the Sunbury/Bendigo Train lines planned to support new communities in the Sunbury South and Lancefield Road Precinct Structure Plans (PSP's) have great potential to support public transport patronage within and beyond Sunbury.
Council encourages DPT to prepare a comprehensive public transport plan for the long term needs of Sunbury. This would identify the timing of new station delivery as well as corresponding changes the the bus network and bus interchange needs. Council would be very pleased to provide input on a draft strategy and assist to ensure it is linked to the changing land uses as Sunbury grows.
A public transport plan would provide direction for interim decisions ensuring the ultimate public transport network is future proofed. The plan can also set out the needs for staged delivery of efficient and timely public transport upgrades to keep pace with the evolving needs of the local community.
Should you require further information in relation to this matter, please contact Ms Jillian McQuade, Acting Manager City Strategy on <redacted> or email at <redacted>
Yours sincerely
CR JOSHEPH HAWEIL
MAYOR"