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Council calls for long-term rail investment fundingA new train services timetable issued by V/Line has demonstrated the need for further long-term funding plans following the initial tranche of funding secured as part of Latrobe City Council’s push for a Strength-Led Transition. By Portal Admin - 27th July 2017 - Back to News Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan said a preliminary assessment had shown that some services in 2017 were operating 10 minutes slower than the services operating in 1967.
"While the $435 million announced by the Federal Government was warmly received, we are very interested to see work commence on the ground so that we can move from a pre-1960s service to one that befits our modern contemporary regional city aspirations," Cr O’Callaghan said.
"We understand that the recent state and federal government rail funding announcements are considered to be a once-in- a-generation investment, however, our view is that this is just the down payment.
"There is a significant work yet to be done and yet to be funded and we’re keeping our eye on the end game which is a modern, efficient and effective regional rail service; one which supports and enhances economic development.
"Not included in the funding announcement is the need for an independent study to determine actions to upgrade the Dandenong Rail Corridor for quadruplicating. These upgrades have been estimated to be in the order of $2 billion.
"Understanding this investment in a competent way will enable both the state and federal governments to reliably and predictably plan and phase their rail investments over the coming four to 10 years.
"This investment is critical if we are to secure a competitive rail service, to and from Melbourne, for the Gippsland region.
"Clearly the investments made to date are a step, if not many steps in the right direction.
However, in order to ensure that rail services keep pace with those delivered to other regional centres, future funding commitments need to be developed for state and federal government forward estimates.
"With two rail services slipping to pre-1967 standards, there is much to be done. Just as the State Government were adamant that the Federal Government would come to the party and fund these upgrade, Council likewise is adamant that our rail services need to be modern, efficient and comparable with those provided by the State to our Regional City counterparts."
Media Enquiries:
Cr Kellie O’Callaghan, Latrobe City Mayor
Telephone: 0400 696 324
Cr Graeme Middlemiss, Latrobe City Deputy Mayor
Telephone: 0417 379 059
Media Relations Office
Telephone: 5128 5458
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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