Standards are Required to be the Destination of Choice

Making Victoria the Best Place to Live and Work

To those readers who care about the future of Victoria, especially those who are involved in some way with the housing industry, it is time to get excited.

Recent data indicates Victorians who previously moved interstate are returning, reversing a trend that saw significant population outflows during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Victoria has experienced a shift in net interstate migration, with more people arriving than leaving in recent quarters. A convergence of economic tailwinds, strong employment opportunities and policy incentives has tentatively positioned Victoria as a destination of choice.

In the housing space, some might say investors are eyeing this market for its resilience and future upside. My more cynical mind leads me to think the poor PR that has followed State Government missteps and additional taxes has restricted property valuations, thereby creating the lowest new and existing home prices of any mainland capital city.

Whatever the reason for the turnaround, for us to be attractive to those contemplating a move, we need to focus on ensuring our ‘liveability fundamentals’ are locked in. In the Bowens world, we call this “being the best at the basics”. Our company wants to be easy to do business with by executing the simplest actions exceptionally well. It is about having the right range of inventory and all shelves filled. We need to maintain safe and organised environments, while delivering products on time and in full. Engaged staff and efficient service are essential.

“In the Bowens world, we call this “being the best at the basics”” 

For Victoria, improving housing affordability is a good place to start but more is required. There cannot be any compromise; healthcare, governance and law & order need to be outstanding. And, of course, our transport systems must work. Roads, buses, trams and trains, they need to be at their best. If we want to attract families from overseas and interstate, we can’t have potholes, traffic jams or ineffective public transport. Which brings me to one of Bowens’ very best men, who travels into Melbourne each day using a northern rail line. I’ve never caught this train; in fact, I’ve only been on a handful of country trains across my 53 years. Hence, like so many, I just assume they ‘all work’.

Let me share my man’s own words to explain his reality:

Living in regional Victoria offers a picturesque lifestyle—often described as “beautiful one day, perfect the next.” However, for those who rely on public transport, particularly the V-Line and Metro rail systems, the experience can be far from idyllic. As a daily commuter to Melbourne’s CBD who does not drive, I am entirely dependent on the public transport network. My perspective on V-Line has shifted dramatically over the past few years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent policy changes.

Before the pandemic, V-Line was a reliable and comfortable mode of transport. The trains were clean, well-maintained and equipped with amenities such as toilets and chilled drinking water. Air conditioning in summer and heating in winter made the journey pleasant and the availability of seats ensured a stress-free commute. I often praised the system, wondering why anyone would choose to drive instead.

However, post-COVID developments have significantly altered the landscape of regional rail travel. A major turning point was the Victorian State Government’s decision to align regional rail fares with metropolitan rates. While this initially seemed like a financial windfall — reducing my monthly Myki spend by over $100 — the unintended consequences quickly became apparent.

The fare reduction coincided with rising living costs and soaring petrol prices, leading to a surge in regional rail usage. Unfortunately, the increased demand was met with a puzzling reduction in the number of carriages per journey (from four to two). On the Seymour line, this was attributed to an uptick in kangaroo strikes, which supposedly delayed carriage repairs. Two years later, the 50 per cent reduction in seats remains unchanged.

Compounding the issue is the delayed electrification and extension of the Craigieburn Metro line to Donnybrook and Wallan. With a population boom in these growth areas, more commuters have been funnelled onto the already strained Seymour line. The overcrowding is so severe I mostly cannot disembark at the North Melbourne station due to blocked exits and must travel to Southern Cross just to get off the train.

Service disruptions have become a regular occurrence, with frequent maintenance and structural upgrades leading to temporary bus replacements. These changes can add an additional 90 minutes to a journey, turning a typical commute into a five-hour ordeal. Reports in The Age and Herald Sun suggest the Seymour line might be shut down for three months later this year for inland track maintenance, further exacerbating the situation.

Unplanned service issues are equally frustrating. Delays due to late trains, missed track slots, and extended waits in freezing temperatures are common. Connections to other trains and buses are unreliable, often resulting in long waits in unsafe conditions. Trains are frequently cancelled due to trespassers, police incidents, or staffing issues, with little to no explanation provided.

Platform changes at the last minute add another layer of chaos. For example, a sudden shift from platform 2B to platform 15 at Southern Cross Station is nearly impossible to manage in the allotted time, even for the fastest sprinters. These incidents are often captured in viral videos, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

While the V-Line app could theoretically help commuters navigate these challenges, it fails to provide real-time updates, rendering it ineffective for trip planning. The overarching issue is a lack of communication and apparent disregard for regional rail users. Despite billions of dollars being invested in infrastructure, the execution and planning seem disconnected from the needs of everyday commuters.

The whole experience of regional rail travel in Victoria is disheartening, at best. What was once a dependable and enjoyable system has become a source of daily stress and inconvenience. For those living in regional centres, the appeal of the lifestyle is increasingly overshadowed by the challenges of commuting. I’m not sure how billions of dollars slated for spending on the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) will help

Ouch! In a call to those who can make a difference, please remember the essential services required to maintain the taxpaying public’s realistic needs. It is only fair. And it is necessary if we want to hold onto those who think Victoria is again “the place to be”.