'Lost and forgotten': Melbourne's west needs more in terms of infrastructure

Residents in Melbourne's outer suburbs feel they have been neglected and accused the Victorian government of having a greater focus on other areas.

Infrastructure is struggling to keep up as the urban sprawl accelerates at a rapid rate.

9News captured chaotic scenes at Rockbank Train Station, where demand is so great the car park fills up by the early hours of the morning and spills out onto the side of the road.

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Hundreds of cars clog the side of the road and there is severe traffic congestion during peak hours.

Recent upgrades have made things a little easier at Tarneit station but it can still get incredibly busy, with the carpark over-capacity by 7am.

Families like Herman Singh's have been anxiously waiting for new stations in Tarneit West and Truganina, in hopes it will ease demand on existing infrastructure.

He described the morning commute to the train station as chaotic and says he feels "forgotten".

"We have to leave early in the morning especially to catch the train on time so it's a big concern for us," he said.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny is tasked with reining in the sprawl, and encouraging development in established suburbs, rather than the fringe.

"What we need to do is make sure the conditions are right, we've got the planning conditions in place, streamline the planning process, unlock government land," she said.

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Australian Population Research Institute's Dr Bob Birrell said the government's approach isn't working.

"The government for decades has been trying to rest the spread of suburbia and has diverted funds from infrastructure like transport services in the fringe and instead diverting those funds to (big) projects like the Suburban Raik Loop, which is starving the fringe of funds.

"Their priority is actually to slow development - and one way to do that is to starve those fringe areas of funds."

Residents say they are forced into illegal spots and cop a fine due to the limited development in the suburb.

Damon Singh told Nine News it's been getting "worse day by day".

"My message to the government is just to expand the car parking so it's more easy for us to just park the car and get the train," he said.

A Victorian government spokesperson said they have "delivered record investment in Melbourne's growing west".

"When the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel both opens in 2025, it will be a game changer, helping people in the west to get home sooner, and connecting them with critical jobs and services," the spokesperson said.

"We know there's more to do, that's why development work is underway for construction of a new, modern station at Tarneit West, including an underpass, four bay bus interchange and parking for up to 400 car parking places by late 2026.

"The $650 million Melton Line Upgrade will also make Melton level crossing free and build a brand new station to make the line ready for bigger nine-care Vlocity trains – boosting passenger capacity on the line by 50 per cent."