No answer on Western Rail

Published on 07 November 2018

Western Victoria Mayors at Hamilton.jpg

Mayors representing eight regional Western Victorian Councils met last week in Hamilton to discuss the lack of an announcement from the Andrews Labor Government on the return of passenger rail to Western Victoria.

After having held a recent encouraging meeting with Minister for Transport, Jacinta Allan, the Mayors of Ararat, Horsham, Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians and Southern Grampians Councils discussed the delay in making a commitment for their communities by the current State Labor Government.

The group is grateful passenger rail services have increased to Ararat in the past twelve months, but there has been no sign of any improvements for communities further south and west.

Southern Grampians Shire Mayor Cr. Mary-Ann Brown expressed her disappointment that despite many meetings with Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan since the release of the Western Rail report 18 months ago, no commitment from the Labor Government has been forthcoming.

“We have been very patient. Our communities have been living in hope for their elected representatives to deliver and we had anticipated an announcement in the lead-up to the State election,” said Cr Brown.

“Minister Allan is on record as saying “All passengers deserve reliable and punctual services – no matter where they live”, however that is not yet the case for those living in Western Victoria,” stated Mayor of Horsham Rural City Cr Pam Clarke.

Local Councils and communities are frustrated that the current Labor Government has not even hinted at commitments for western and south western Victoria.

Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Cr Tony Driscoll also quoted the Public Transport Minister,  “Minister Allan has said ’the Andrews Labor Government’s Regional Rail Revival investment, this shows we are getting on with giving regional Victorians the transport services they deserve’ - yet this doesn’t seem to be the case for our communities yet”.

All member Councils of the Western Rail Alliance are seeking an urgent commitment from the current State Government, as well as all of those candidates wishing to secure support in Western and South Western Victoria, to commit to the return of passenger rail to Hamilton and Horsham and improved public transport connections to rail via improved coach services. 

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