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Council urges governments to meet for rail supportLatrobe City Council is urging state and federal transport ministers to urgently meet to discuss how they can work together to deliver the Gippsland rail upgrades which were promised in the State Government budget. By Portal Admin - 11th May 2017 - Back to News The $435 million upgrade was announced as the centrepiece of a $1.45 billion state-wide Regional Rail Revival Package.
Latrobe City Council mayor, Kellie O’Callaghan said the State Government’s announcement was invaluable to our community.
"It is too important for our future for this to descend into a political tug of war," Cr O’Callaghan said.
"A promise was made to our community – expectations raised and we now ask all parties to come together to ensure that these expectations are fulfilled, now and into the future.
"Surely there can be no debate that the rail line to Gippsland is the least efficient, least reliable and least effective rail line in Victoria.
"This community expressed their needs and desires to be better connected and to experience the level of rail service currently enjoyed by our fellow Victorians in Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
"Both Minister Allen and Minister Chester have been very supportive and generous with their time, hearing our concerns and the voice of the Gippsland community. We have full confidence that the Ministers - who we know to be outstanding and respected advocates for rail in this community - will want to work this out for the greater good of Gippsland. We both encourage and implore them to do so.
"The community, through our Strength-Led Transition work, identified the Gippsland rail line as a major impediment to our economic growth and development.
"Investing in rail has been one of the key community advocacy platforms and we’re determined not to let the community down."
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
For general enquiries, contact Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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