Short-Sighted Plans Highlight Lack Of Vision In Melbourne

Plans to extend Melbourne, Australia's already-extensive freeway system are short-sighted and illustrate the lack of true planning vision in the city, according to this column from The Age.

1 minute read

August 21, 2007, 2:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


"When Melburnians do stop and reflect on their city, they often express disappointment at rash decisions. Imagine if we'd kept more of our gold-rush legacy, notably the stupendous Victorian buildings. And if we had continued to add to our once great train network, which we stopped extending in 1930."

"Too often, ad hoc decisions were driven by short-term economics, developer profits, or political grandstanding. Missing almost invariably when the big decisions were made was a coherent, honest plan for the city."

"On behalf of the Government, Sir Rod Eddington is inquiring into extending the Eastern Freeway to the Tullamarine and, possibly, beyond. Such a link could cost billions and would inevitably involve a toll. Premier John Brumby seems keen; so is the Melbourne City Council. This is despite government findings that more than 90 per cent of traffic from the east is actually headed for the CBD, not the west. Road financier Macquarie Bank acknowledges this in its submission to Eddington. It notes that the only way such a link would work - i.e. make a profit - is with plenty of off-ramps to feed commuters into the CBD. Yet funnelling cars into the city is directly at odds with what the Government and the council claim they want for Melbourne."

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 in The Age

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Sign in front of building for seior services center in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk

High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.

1 hour ago - WESH

Boston Red Line train with skyline in background.

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap

The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

View down center of street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan

Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

3 hours ago - Urban Milwaukee

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA