[Greens-Media] The Victorian transport plan is an unhealthy development for Rural Victorians say the Greens

[Media]

Media Release: for immediate use
Thursday May 18, 2006
Contact: Jennifer Alden (mob) 0427 430 233

The Victorian transport plan is an unhealthy development for Rural 
Victorians say the Greens

Rural Victoria's lack of accessible public transport is chronic and is a 
real public health issue for people living outside of Melbourne," said 
Jennifer Alden, the Greens Northern Victoria Upper House candidate and 
Spokesperson on Regional and Rural Community Health. "It's disappointing 
that during Victoria's Rural Health Week the Bracks Government has 
offered so little in the short term* to improve passenger transport 
services outside Melbourne."

"Regional and Rural Victorians already face a lower life expectancy than 
Melbourne residents. We can start to turn this around by addressing the 
transport disadvantage faced by older people, particularly women, who 
can no longer afford to travel to medical and other services," said Ms 
Alden. "For older members of our community, social isolation also 
correlates strongly with an increased risk of depression and heart disease."

"Rising petrol prices are making car travel impossible for people on 
fixed or low incomes. The absence of frequent and reliable public 
transport in regional Victoria means that many people are becoming 
isolated and stuck at home," said Ms Alden.

"Lack of access to transport also disadvantages our youth, as 
employment, education, social activities and services start to slip out 
of their reach. Lack of recreational opportunities and boredom among the 
young in our rural and regional communities contribute to mental health 
problems such as depression, as well as alcohol and drug abuse."

"The Greens in state parliament will, after the state election on 
November 25, strongly represent the 27 per cent of Victorians who live 
in regional and rural Victoria. Our needs are being overlooked because 
of the Melbourne mindset of Bracks government policies. Yesterday's 
transport statement proves the point. Our regional and rural communities 
deserve better," said Jennifer Alden.

For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Alden on (mob) 0427 430 233
email: jalden at netcon.net.au

Background
* Yesterday's transport statement, included a $90million commitment to 
improve regional bus services and connections over ten years. However, 
over 40% of this figure appears to be a recycled commitment from last 
year's "Moving Forward: Making Provincial Victoria the Best Place to 
Live, Work and Invest" statement. "......the Victorian Government will 
invest $37.8 million to create new bus and transport connections in 
growing regional and country communities." See 
http://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/WebFiles/Business%20Services/movingforward.pdf 
page 50.  We will have to wait  a couple of weeks for the May 31 state 
budget statement to find out exactly how much new money is being 
promised in yesterday's transport statement.

-ends-