The city “controller’’ is coming

The city “controller’’ is coming

The state government is to appoint a “city controller” to battle traffic gridlock flowing from Melbourne’s construction boom.

Making the announcement in the CBD on October 18, Transport Minister Jacinta Allan acknowledged the impact that multiple projects were having on the city.

“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,” Ms Allan said.

“The city controller is going to play an important role in managing our projects as well as playing a key role in the movement of our city and our state.”

“They’ll be looking at the calendar of major events, where they might be located and co-ordinating with construction sites. The city controller will work on issuing time and date permits, keeping a very close eye on where these permits are being issued and the impact they have on traffic movement around those sites.”

The government says similar positions have been successful in some of the largest cities in the world and an international search is now underway to appoint Melbourne’s first city controller.

The role will ensure:

  •  Prevention of multiple construction projects and major events from gridlocking parts of Melbourne by co-ordinating works and delivering extra services including the extension of free public transport at key times and places;
  •  Better co-ordinate future state and local government construction programs;
  • Control the timing of permits to close major transport arteries to keep people safe around construction areas; and
  • Develop a Transport Control Centre.

The government says the city controller will work with the City of Melbourne, CBD employers and other local councils to reduce the impacts from the over $40 billion of transport projects and upgrades throughout Victoria.  

The controller would also provide regular advice to government on network performance. 

The newly-created role within Transport for Victoria will increase co-ordination across transport agencies, local government, major sporting events, essential services and the construction and freight industries.

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