Infrastructure Victoria has unveiled an ambitious 30-year blueprint to address the state’s growing infrastructure needs. The plan includes $75 billion in new spending, with expected economic benefits of $155 billion, focusing on public transport expansions, social housing projects, and road safety improvements.
Lower Speed Limits for Safer Streets
A major change proposed is reducing speed limits in residential areas from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. Initially, this would apply to child-friendly zones around schools, playgrounds, and kindergartens before expanding to all local streets. Infrastructure Victoria CEO Dr. Jonathan Spear highlighted that lowering speed limits would significantly reduce pedestrian fatalities, making neighborhoods safer for walking and cycling without substantially impacting travel times.
Public Transport Expansion
The plan prioritises major public transport upgrades to accommodate Victoria’s projected population growth of 11.5 million by 2055. Key proposals include extending tram lines to middle suburbs, such as Chadstone and Moorabbin, with up to eight new tram extensions. Rail services would be expanded with the electrification of the Melton line by 2030, new tunnels to separate the City Loop and increase train capacity, and extensions to Kalkallo in the north and Clyde in the southeast. Victoria’s bus network would also be upgraded with five new rapid transit routes.
Additionally, once the $1.7 billion upgrade of the myki ticketing system is complete, off-peak fares will be reduced to encourage more people to travel outside peak hours, easing congestion.
60,000 New Social Homes
With Victoria having the lowest percentage of social housing in the country at 2.8 percent, the plan calls for an investment of up to $30 billion over 15 years to build 60,000 new social homes. This includes 5,000 homes designated for Aboriginal Victorians. The cost per home is estimated between $240,000 and $580,000, with savings possible if the government prioritizes development on state-owned land.
Integrated Infrastructure for Growing Communities
The plan also proposes expanding Victoria’s cycling network with 180 kilometres of protected bike lanes across Melbourne and regional areas like Geelong and Ballarat. These upgrades aim to reduce reliance on cars, relieve road congestion, and improve environmental sustainability.
