Residents across Melbourne's outer west are battling a daily infrastructure crisis, with burgeoning populations placing immense pressure on already strained road networks and public transport. Commuters in suburbs like Rockbank and Mt Atkinson face a persistent struggle for basic services, from finding a car park at the local train station to navigating dangerously congested arterial roads.

For many, the morning commute begins with a gamble. In Rockbank, the 350-space sealed car park at the local train station is notoriously full by 7:15 AM, forcing vehicles to spill onto busy thoroughfares like Leakes Road. This daily grind is a familiar experience for Mt Atkinson resident Manish Baisoya, who commutes 23 kilometres to central Melbourne for work.

“You have to try your luck in the morning to find a car park,” Baisoya explains. “If I don't find a car park, I have to try to get to Caroline Springs, which adds another 20 to 30 minutes on an already choked freeway.” He points to the obvious solution: a new train station in Mt Atkinson, particularly given the existing train line that skirts the suburb’s northern edge. A petition advocating for this vital infrastructure, tabled in state parliament in 2024, garnered nearly 5,000 signatures from frustrated locals.

Council Demands Urgent Action

The severity of the situation is not lost on the Melton City Council, which has positioned infrastructure as a key priority ahead of the upcoming November state election. The council is advocating for three new train stations and substantial road upgrades to alleviate the growing pains of its rapidly expanding community.

Two of the proposed stations are slated for the fast-growing communities of Mt Atkinson and Thornhill Park, both situated on the diesel-powered regional Melton line. A third crucial station is proposed for Calder Park on the Sunbury line, designed to bridge a significant 10-kilometre gap between Diggers Rest and Watergardens stations and reduce pressure on Watergardens itself.

Council data paints a stark picture of growth, revealing an annual population increase of approximately 6.61 per cent. This rate is more than three times faster than Melbourne's average growth of 2 per cent per year. Deputy Mayor Phillip Zada highlights the area's vibrant, multicultural appeal, which continues to attract new residents, but stresses the urgent need for commensurate state investment in roads and rail.

“We have one way in and one way out, effectively,” Cr Zada states, referring to the reliance on the Western Highway and the V/Line rail network. This vulnerability was starkly exposed recently when a major telecommunications outage brought the V/Line network to a standstill, leaving thousands of outer suburban commuters stranded.

Strained Infrastructure and Commuter Woes

Last year, Infrastructure Victoria recommended commencing work on the electrification of the Melton line by 2027, alongside the construction of two new train stations. However, residents and local leaders feel the pace of development is lagging behind the exponential population boom.

Cr Zada reports daily conversations with residents grappling with inadequate infrastructure. “We’re currently sitting at around 241,000 residents, and we’re expected to grow to 456,000, which is pretty crazy if you think about it,” he says, underscoring the critical need for infrastructure to support daily commutes. Council data further reveals that a staggering 86 per cent of the local workforce leaves the city area daily for employment.

Beyond rail, the road network is equally overwhelmed. The Melton City Council is pushing for upgrades to the Western Highway, a major artery that carries more than 86,000 vehicles daily, yet in parts lacks sealed shoulders and adequate public lighting. They also seek funding for new and upgraded interchanges where residential developments have outpaced road access.

Cr Zada describes peak-hour traffic on the Western Highway as "bumper to bumper," labelling the situation "insane." He warns that even minor accidents during peak times, especially in adverse weather, compound the already severe congestion. While some new bus services have been introduced, transport remains a critical issue that the council cannot solely fund.

A Call for Holistic Planning

Despite a recent federal government commitment of $1 billion towards Western Highway upgrades, Cr Zada argues it's insufficient to address the scale of the problem. He points to numerous other critical roads in need of attention, including Melton Highway, Hopkins Road, Ferris Road, the Palmers Road corridor, and the infamously congested Taylors Road, some of which have dedicated community Facebook pages advocating for safety and upgrades.

Jaksha Shah, a Mt Atkinson resident of three years, expresses profound disappointment with what she describes as inadequate infrastructure, laying blame on both sides of politics for a "missing holistic vision." She also suggests the council needs to play its part in expanding and linking up the local bus network to enhance community connectivity.

A spokesperson for the state government confirms that electrification of the Melton line is progressing, with site investigations underway to finalise project design. They highlight ongoing efforts to reduce congestion across the west, including level crossing removals, Airport Rail development, and increased services on the Werribee Line.

However, the opposition's transport infrastructure spokesperson, Evan Mulholland, remains critical, asserting that the current government has neglected Melton residents for successive elections, pointing to disproportionate infrastructure spending in eastern suburbs. As Melton continues its rapid ascent, residents eagerly await a comprehensive and accelerated plan to deliver the essential infrastructure their growing community desperately needs.