Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Terry Mulder

Another Year Without Trains To The Latrobe Valley?

Freedom of information documents released to the Liberal Party show it will be at least June/July 2007 before ‘Farce Rail’ works on the Warragul and Traralgon line are finished.

By Terry Mulder - Shadow Minister Transport and Ports - 27th June 2006 - Back to News

The push-back means the completion date has been shelved yet again while the government’s total ‘Farce Rail’ project cost has blown out from $80 million to $750 million. And it’s still climbing, with many betting it will pass the $1 billion mark.

The delay shows the Latrobe Valley has been deemed least important again, with the Bracks Government’s ‘Farce Rail’ order of preferences listed below:

1) Geelong line: the home of the Premier Steve Bracks’ beloved AFL team, The Cats;

2) Ballarat line: the home town of Premier Bracks;

3) Bendigo line: the home of two Bracks Government ministers;

4) Latrobe Valley line: the home of the Bracks Government’s most ineffective members.

By the time this service finally makes an appearance in the Latrobe Valley, travelers will have forgotten what it felt like to have a passenger-carrying train. Given the Bracks Government’s history of bungling major project deadlines, train travelers can rightfully expect even further delays beyond the June/July 2007 deadline.

As recently as 22 December 2005, Steve Bracks and his hapless Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, were falsely crowing in a media release that V/Line’s V’Locity trains would be operating at their planned top speed of 160kph by mid-2006. That date had been revised from the original target date of 30 June 2005 for all four projects.

The State Labor Government’s mismanagement of the contract has led to these continuing delays, with Labor putting the Latrobe Valley last. Under "political pressure", contractors were moved to the Bendigo Line at the expense of the Latrobe Valley to ensure the works on the Bendigo Line were brought forward.

The Labor Government’s proposed Latrobe Valley "Early Bird Express Service" that was designed to leave Traralgon at 4.30am and bypass Morwell, Moe and Warragul, has vanished like a meteorite in the night sky.

Local Labor Members Brendan Jenkins and Ian Maxfield have failed to fight for their electorates and allowed the Latrobe Valley to be relegated to "The Last Farce Rail Project" to be completed. They should hang their heads in shame for not standing up for their electorates.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
  A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity.
• Latrobe Valley households to cut energy bills with efficient electric heat pump hot water system upgrades
  Latrobe Valley households can cut energy bills by $330 annually with efficient heat pump hot water systems, thanks to the Allan Labor government's SEC one stop shop pilot expansion.
• Latrobe City launches investment campaign showcasing strength, innovation, and opportunities across Gippsland
  Latrobe City Council launched an investment campaign showcasing business strength, innovation, and opportunities positioning itself as Gippsland's hub for growth, transformation, and future industries.
• Martin Cameron slams Allan Labor government over year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Labor's year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings, after multiple ministerial referrals left residents concerned about neglect, squatters, and ongoing government inaction.
• Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
  Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park as lease nears end
  Latrobe City Council is inviting community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park, with the current operator's lease expiring in May 2026 under Crown Land Leasing Policy requirements for open and impartial processes.
• Latrobe City Council endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience.
• Latrobe City Council endorses community engagement on draft financial, asset, and road management plans
  Council endorsed community engagement on key draft plans, including the Financial, Asset, and Road Management Plans, ensuring alignment with the Community Vision, Council Plan, and long-term strategic planning framework.
• Darren Chester secures $20,000 to preserve Tambo Valley trenches commemorating Victoria's WWII history
  Darren Chester secured $20,000 funding to preserve the historic Tambo Valley Trenches, enhancing access, safety, and interpretation, while honouring East Gippsland's wartime history and boosting cultural tourism along the Great Alpine Road.
• Darren Chester welcomes $6.2M Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment with upgraded facilities for Latrobe Valley sports clubs
  Darren Chester welcomed the $6.2 million Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment, providing modern changerooms and upgraded facilities through joint funding to support Latrobe Valley sports and long-term community participation.
• Martin Cameron slams Energy Minister D'Ambrosio's false claims on power prices and jobs in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron condemned Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's claims of delivering for Latrobe Valley, citing soaring power prices, weak jobs growth, and neglect of residents during Victoria's energy transition.