Department of Transport and Planning

Buses are a vital part of our transport system, with over 400 regular bus routes around the state. Safe Transport Victoria's Bus Safety Week is a reminder of the importance of our bus drivers and the vital role they play in keeping you moving. Fatigue is a significant risk for bus drivers and a major contribution to one in three road accidents. If you’re a bus driver, remember to recognise the signs of fatigue and don’t drive if you’re tired. Thank you to all our bus drivers for keeping Victoria moving. Your wellbeing matters - for you, your passengers and everyone on the road.

We're partnering with Yarra Trams and Darebin City Council for the next site of our Transporting Arts Pilot Program. We're inviting artists in Victoria to submit new or existing artwork to be featured at the Northcote Town Hall/High St tram stop. Applications close on 23 August. Apply now at https://bit.ly/4fruBl8. For more information on the Transporting Arts Pilot Program, visit https://bit.ly/47yUwCN.

Planners and community members from Hobsons Bay City Council were facing delays, errors, and frustrations – due to a lack of integration between digital planning services and state government systems. With $300,000 from the Digital Planning Grants program, the council established full integration between their statutory planning application system and state government PPARS and SPEAR systems. They also delivered a new user-friendly digital customer portal with smart forms and fee guidance. Learn more about how integrating local and state government planning systems benefits both council staff and the community: https://bit.ly/3SDUoMY.

We’d like to welcome Tamara Culembourg as the new Victorian Rail Advocate. The role is responsible for promoting Victoria’s local rail manufacturing supply chain and workforce, developing initiatives to grow industry capacity and boost jobs. Tamara will also chair the Rail Industry Development Advisory Committee, promoting collaboration between industry, transport operators and government. Whether it’s building new trams and trains, or looking at new suppliers in the industry, we’re excited to work with Tamara across a range of rolling stock projects. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e2uHWnNW

It’s #RailSafetyWeek. In collaboration with TrackSAFE Foundation, we’re running an education campaign to remind Victorians to stay alert and avoid distractions and risk-taking behaviour around trains and trams, not just during this week, but every week. The importance of being safe around trams and trains cannot be overstated. Consider the following: - In the past year, there were 453 near misses across Metro Trains Melbourne’s train network, and 124 on V/Line, each requiring train drivers to initiate emergency procedures to stop the train as quickly as possible. - A single trespasser in the city loop can cause delays for up to 50,000 people. - In 2023 there were almost 3,000 incidents of trespassing on the network, or more than eight per day. Each life lost and injury sustained on our network is a tragedy that profoundly impacts families, friends, communities, rail and recovery staff, and witnesses. #StayRailSafe.

Wallan Railway Station has never looked better. As part of our Transporting Arts Pilot Program, in partnership with V/Line and Mitchell Shire Council, the station now features a vibrant series of illustrations by Margie Balazic. Titled 'Connect,' Margie's work captures the essence of the local Wallan environment with flourishing florals and native gums. Learn more about the program at https://lnkd.in/gxhaVEbG

The Yarra Ranges Council faced a surge in enquiries and planning applications due to a shortage of planners, complex planning controls, and population growth. To address this challenge, they used $300,000 in funding from our Digital Planning Grants program to support the introduction of a world-first artificial intelligence planning assistant. Learn more about this exciting project and how it helps the community better understand planning rules and submit more complete applications: https://lnkd.in/gAbi_uUA

Do you know an unsung hero who has left a lasting legacy in your community? We’re inviting Victorians to nominate someone who has made an exceptional contribution to be considered for a new place name, particularly under-represented groups including women and First Nations people. This could be remembering a colleague’s community service, teacher’s legacy, grandmother’s war service or a local sporting legend. As Victoria continues to grow, we need to name more places including new streets, parks, community facilities and buildings. Over the next three years there will be more than 6,000 new places to name in Victoria, this includes roads, streets, suburbs, and features such as parks, schools and buildings. We want to make sure these names recognise the diverse people who have helped make our communities thriving places. Fill out the naming survey at https://lnkd.in/g_3yNZu8 to make your nomination. #NameaPlaceInVictoria

With limited access to 3D planning models and analysis, the Glen Eira City Council needed a solution to accurately assess complex planning proposals and provide detailed, accessible information to their community about proposed developments. Supported by $300,000 from our Digital Planning Grants program, they have delivered a 3D city model (Digital Glen Eira) and have access to advanced 3D planning software. This allows council staff to produce highly detailed 3D models of proposed developments in their community. Learn more about how these 3D models are helping both the council and the community make more informed planning decisions: https://lnkd.in/gMrfN5Pz

Open House Melbourne facilitates opportunities to experience how better-designed cities can improve your lives. From over 9,000 pieces of feedback, and more than 850 hours of conversation with communities as part of our Plan for Victoria engagement, we heard that you want a future that is inclusive and vibrant. Your feedback helped identify eight Big Ideas to transform Victoria. Over the course of Open House Melbourne we'll be working with CoFutures... to talk you about these Big Ideas and the best way to deliver them. Whether your focus is on better public transport access or more affordable housing, we want to know what you think of the Big Ideas! Where can you find us? 📍 Open House Melbourne Info Hub on Swanston Walk, 19 - 28 July 📍 The Round – Whitehorse Performing Arts Centre, 9am - 12pm, 27 July 📍 Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 10:30am - 4pm, 27 July 📍 Box Hill Town Hall, 10am- 4pm, 28 July OR complete the Big Ideas survey online https://bit.ly/4cUDrWW.