The Victorian Government will appoint a City Controller to guide Melbourne through $38 billion of transport upgrade projects.
Public transport minister Jacinta Allan said the City Controller position would be crucial to helping get on with what the Andrews Government calls its ‘Big Build’ program.
“We know how frustrating the impacts of disruption can be – the City Controller will help minimise these impacts on the millions of people who move around our city every year,” Allan said.
“As we continue to remove level crossings, upgrade tram stops and build the public transport system Victoria needs – this is what we need if we want Melbourne to keep being a 24/7 city.”
Allan said the City Controller will:
- Prevent multiple construction projects and major events from gridlocking parts of Melbourne by coordinating works and delivering extra services including the extension of free public transport at key times and places
- Better coordinate future state and local government construction programs
- Control the time of day for permits to close major transport arteries to keep people safe around construction areas
- Develop a Transport Control Centre to support Melbourne as this big build continues
The City Controller will work with the City of Melbourne, CBD employers and local government, and will provide regular advice to Government on network performance.