Transport Integration Act 2010

It marked a fundamental shift away from detailed, prescriptive rules to higher level guidance and more flexible outcomes.

[10] Withington observed that "(T) the Act is designed to encourage people to think - in a structured way - about the impacts of their decisions on the transport system.

It is detailed enough to provide clear direction, but also flexible enough to accommodate agencies' different roles and responsibilities and a wide range of different circumstances".

The framework recognises that transport is part of a broader policy goal of achieving sustainable development, both locally and globally.

Agencies must have regard to the objectives when they make decisions or exercise functions which are sourced back to the authority of the Act.

Such objectives can encourage agencies to work consistently to achieve these outcomes, and reduce the risk of inconsistent behaviour.

This is inherent in the listing of a series of objectives and principles which involve deliberate overlap and tension and which can require careful thought to reconcile.

As a result, the Act merely requires that agencies "have regard" to the matters - that is actively consider them - and does not attempt to prescribe particular outcomes in individual cases.

In addition, the framework specifically provides that the weight to be given to each objective and principle in the Act is not prescribed by the scheme itself and instead is ultimately a matter to be determined by the relevant agency which is responsible for the decision.

Adherence to the Act can generally be pursued through administrative law avenues including merits review[35] in some cases.

[36] The underlying policy for the Transport Integration Act was in development for some years before it was presented to the Victorian Parliament as a Bill for scrutiny, debate and passage.

Released in 2008, it drew on formal submissions as comments made at workshops, forums and briefings during the community engagement program.

The Australian Law Reform Commission has described this approach in the following terms - The Act originated as the Transport Integration Bill.

[40][41] The Bill was introduced into the lower house of the Victorian Parliament (the Legislative Assembly) on 8 December 2009 by the Hon Lynne Kosky MP, the then Minister for Public Transport.

[47] This formally brought the Port of Melbourne Corporation and the Victorian Regional Channels Authority within the Transport Integration Act framework on that date.

[54] However, Victoria went further and remains alone among Australian jurisdictions in presenting these general policy directions to full Parliamentary scrutiny and entrenching them in legislative form.

Low comments that the Act "...provides strong legislative support for the development of an integrated and sustainable transport system...".

[57] Reports continue to call for the adoption of policy and statutes which recognise emphasis on Transport Integration Act objectives including sustainability.

The report instances the Act as a case study for driving integrated decision making in transport, land use planning and sustainability and as a model to be followed by other jurisdictions in Australia.

[58] Despite these observations, other jurisdictions including the Commonwealth have yet to respond to Victoria's leadership towards greater integration and sustainability in transport systems and their regulation.

Clifton Hill railway station provides an example of integrated transport and land use planning at local level. The station services suburban trains to and from the city of Melbourne on the Hurstbridge and Mernda railway lines. Bus services operate near the station on Hoddle Street . The station also has a number of bicycle racks. In addition, the station has car parking facilities and is within walking distance of tram services on Queens Parade.
Shot of the airport control tower and a United B747 at Melbourne Airport . Transport to and from the airport is currently only available by car or bus. The absence of an integrated rail link has been a matter of public debate in Victoria in recent years.
A train loaded with containers at Swanson Dock East at the Port of Melbourne . Legislation like the Transport Integration Act and its underlying policy framework seeks to prompt State and local government agencies to improve transport and land use integration. Future Government policies and projects can be expected to result in improved rail connectivity at places like Victoria's ports.
The current North East Rail Revitalisation project will improve transport integration in the north east of Victoria . The project includes a rail bypass of Wodonga and track upgrades between Melbourne and Albury-Wodonga to improve interstate rail freight and passenger services links.
Trams pass trains on the Flinders Street Viaduct in the Melbourne CBD.
The route 401 prepaid shuttle from North Melbourne railway station to the University of Melbourne provides an innovative example of transport integration. However, community pressure exists in Melbourne for more permanent improvements to passenger transport including construction of the Melbourne Metro project, an underground metropolitan rail tunnel. The tunnel will travel from South Kensington railway station (north west of the Melbourne CBD ) to Caulfield railway station (in the south east) and is currently under construction.
Melbourne Bike Share station on Macarthur St beside a tram line near the Parliament Railway station.
Taxis and trams in Melbourne . Taxis are as vital to the public transport mix of Melbourne as the city's iconic trams.
V/Line operated 'Sprinter' railcar at North Shore in Geelong in regional Victoria.