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Transport Minister Fails To Guarantee Valley Rail

An 850 strong petition has been tabled in Parliament today calling on the Brumby government to retain rail services from the Latrobe Valley to Southern Cross Station.

By Latrobe City Council - 3rd August 2009 - Back to News

Public Transport minister Lynne Kosky has failed to guarantee Traralgon-line passengers will be carried through to the end of the Melbourne line despite the urging of Nationals MP Russell Northe.

"A diagram in the Victorian Transport Plan revealed the Labor government’s intention to cut Gippsland rail services short by disallowing passengers to travel through to Southern Cross station on their V/Line train," Mr Northe recounted.

"A swell of public & political pressure last month forced Labor to guarantee full passage for East Gippsland travellers and review their plans to terminate all Latrobe services at Flinders St Station but the Minister has thus far refused to provide written advice of the exact changes she will impose on our community.

"A Labor MP made comment in the media last month that the Minister told him two services would terminate early. Ms Kosky has failed to give me any such indication when I have raised the matter in person, in the chamber or via correspondence.

"Given that same Labor MP had no knowledge of his government’s intentions before it was brought to his attention by The Nationals, I understand why locals are demanding a response straight from the horse’s mouth."

Mr Northe explained that direct passage to Southern Cross was necessary for people requiring access to SkyBus, Travellers’ Aid, Etihad Stadium, luggage storage and transfers to other regional rail services. He said the elderly or infirmed and parents with young children would be particularly disadvantaged by the proposed changes.

The Member for Morwell said the valley’s V/Line patrons were concerned that any cuts the Minister approved now would set precedent for a further reduction of services down the track.

"The 857 signatures presented to Parliament today should demonstrate to Ms Kosky the depth of feeling about this matter and I urge her to shelve any plans to stop services short of Southern Cross Station," he said.

Mr Northe will table additional signatures at the next sitting week and encouraged locals to add their support by visiting his office or downloading a copy of the petition from his website – www.russellnorthe.com.au. Signed petitions may be returned to his office at 66 George St Morwell.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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