[Greens-Media] Transport plan "the good, the bad and the ugly" (Vic, C Hartland MLC)

Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au
Mon Dec 8 15:13:16 EST 2008


GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT PLAN – THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Greens MLC Colleen Hartland says the government's transport plan for the 
West is "the good, the bad and the ugly".

THE GOOD
Rail upgrades and infrastructure.  "I'm particularly keen on the rail 
upgrades that will get rid of the V/Line bottleneck.  I love the Tarneit 
line idea, but I'll be campaigning for it to be electrified – this is a 
golden opportunity to create public transport infrastructure ahead of 
development in the new suburbs.  I’m thrilled that electrifying the Melton 
line is on the drawing board, but I wish they’d do it sooner, and by 2017 
it will be out of date – they’ll need to electrify to Bacchus Marsh."

"The rail tunnel from Footscray via Parkville to the Domain is ambitious, 
but I'll support it so long as it doesn't hoover up all the public 
transport budget."

"Newell's Paddock reserve in Footscray has been spared, extra services on 
the Sydenham and Werribee lines, more buses.  All good."

THE BAD
"Wherever houses are threatened, there's no detail in the plan.  This 
spreads fear through the community.  Brumby would be better off just 
telling the truth from the word go."

"There's no plan to extend the Werribee Line, no plan for tram extensions 
or routes like Footscray to Docklands.  There are dozens of smaller 
projects that could move people efficiently, and they could be done right 
now, because we need them now.  See the People Plan website*." 

"Caroline Spring station is planned to knock out a remnant grassland, one 
of the rarest ecosystems in the country.  It's also in the middle of a 
planned industrial area, miles from Caroline Springs.  I can’t imagine 
people will want to use it at night, and they won’t be able to cycle 
safely off-road to the station.  This locks people in to car dependency."

"Although I support the concept of the truck plan off-ramps, I'm concerned 
about the lack of detail.  I wouldn't want it to go through Stony Creek 
parkland, and destroy City of Maribyrnong's plans for a wind farm, and we 
don't know how it's going to affect Hyde Street and residential areas."

THE UGLY
"The tunnel under Footscray must be stopped.  I will do all I can to help 
the community campaign against it, and we will win.  The government also 
remains committed to the elevated road that will plough through 
residential streets in West Footscray and West Sunshine.  This is a 
nighmare.  Again, the lack of detail in the report is distressing 
residents whose houses are threatened."

Further comment: Colleen Hartland  9689 6373

* www.thepeopleplan.org.au

*************************************

Liz Ingham
Office of Colleen Hartland MLC
Western Metropolitan Region

A: 75 Victoria Street, Seddon 3011
P: 9689 6373
M: 0409 333 595
F: 9689 6227
E: elizabeth.ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au
W: www.electedgreensvictoria.org.au

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