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Community facilities Public Transport | May 30, 2016

Labor’s transport plan fails Western Victoria

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP is shocked that Labor’s long awaited Regional Network Development Plan (RNDP) has delivered nothing for Western Victoria.

 

“After 18 months in office, two State Budgets and an expensive round of consultations, the Melbourne Labor Government has failed to deliver any improvements for public transport in Western Victoria,” Ms Kealy said.

 

In October last year, a summary report was released by Public Transport Victoria following extensive consultation and local workshops held in Horsham and Hamilton. Feedback from the local community highlighted the need for improved public transport services, including passenger rail.

 

“The RNDP Grampians region includes Horsham, Warracknabeal, Nhill and all the way to the South Australian border. However Labor’s plan only details transport improvements to Ballarat,” Ms Kealy said.

 

“The RNDP Barwon South West region includes Hamilton, but the only detailed planned transport improvements are in Geelong and Warrnambool and no other improvements for country communities to the border.

 

“It is shameful that Labor’s Regional Network Development Plans offers no new funding and no new or improved services for Western Victoria. There are only vague offerings that something might be done sometime in the future.

 

“I am genuinely disappointed that this plan does not outline what the government is actually going to do to improve public transport beyond Ballarat and Geelong, and local people deserve better.

 

“The Regional Network Development Plan is yet another example that the further you live from Melbourne, the less you will get from the Andrew Labor Government,” she said.