Proposed Melbourne Tram Extensions

Numerous proposals have been made for improvements to the Melbourne tram network, the largest such network in the world. Nearly all of these have been for track extensions of existing lines to connect with nearby railway station or to service new areas and suburbs.

Extensions currently in planning

Caulfield to Chadstone, Monash and Rowville route

In April 2018, the State Government of Victoria announced a new extension of the tram network from Caulfield. The 18 km (11.1 mi) extension would run from Caulfield station to Chadstone, Monash University, Waverley Park and Rowville. The state government allocated $3 million to plan the route, which would be constructed in two stages, with the first running from Caulfield to Monash. This proposal is a light rail alternative to the long-proposed Rowville railway line project. In the 2018-2019 Federal Budget, the Australian Government committed $475 million to a heavy rail line from Caulfield to Monash University that would run on the same corridor as the light rail proposal.

In 2019, nearby local councils expressed concern that the project had been shelved. In 2021, Monash University began lobbying the state and federal governments for an alternative rapid bus plan, using experimental " trackless tram" technology. In November 2021 the Minister for Transport Infrastructure told state parliament that the government was examining a rapid bus alternative and was working with the federal government to develop a business case.

Trams routes to Fishermans Bend

State and local governments have also proposed the extension of Route 48 from its current terminus at Victoria Harbour in Docklands across the Yarra River and into the Fishermans Bend precinct, a future major urban renewal area. It would require the construction of a new tram-only bridge and generally follow the path of Fennell and Plummer Streets. The tram extension is proposed as an interim solution to connect Fishermans Bend residents to the CBD via mass transit until the metropolitan railway network can be extended with new underground stations. The proposed bridge has faced some opposition from local groups and residents, whom fear it will destroy a local park and prevent tall boats from mooring at a nearby marina and travelling upstream. The bridge has been costed by the State Government at over $200 million.

The State Government released a Framework for Fishermans Bend in October 2018 that proposed two new tram routes through the area: one running through the new suburbs of Sandridge and Wirraway along Plummer Street, and the other running through Lorimer and the Employment Precinct along Turner Street. The Framework gives a 'medium term' delivery timeframe of 2020–2025, while Infrastructure Australia also identified the project as a 'medium term' priority. The 2019-2020 state budget allocated $4.5 million to plan the tram routes to Fishermans Bend and develop a preliminary business case for the project. As of 2022, no further state government announcements have been made about the proposals.

Other proposals

Route 3 to Chadstone

In 2005, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) proposed for an extension of Route 3 from East Malvern. It would run from its current terminus to East Malvern railway station. It would provide Chadstone with some form of rail link, also connecting it directly to a railway station.

Route 5 to Darling station

The extension from Malvern of route 5 has been proposed by the PTUA and the Rail Futures Institute. It would run from its current terminus to Darling railway station