[Greens-Media] Outer suburbs left to suffer petrol price pain and pokies - Hartland

[Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au]

With the Regional Rail Link on the back-burner and no new bus services in 
this week's budget for the rapidly growing outer suburbs, residents of 
Melbourne's West are being left to suffer from rising petrol prices, car 
dependence and isolation, says Greens MLC Colleen Hartland.

"Many new suburbs have pathetic public transport services or none at all. 
Some areas don't even have a bus. For them, this budget delivers nothing," 
said Colleen Hartland

"Poor public transport leaves people stuck at home, isolated, lonely and 
vulnerable to health problems including depression and gambling addiction. 
 No wonder the west is hit harder by pokies than other areas.  And this 
week's state budget shows an increased reliance on pokies income from 
problem gamblers," 

"We pay our taxes the same as everyone else, but this budget doesn't even 
give us a minor public transport upgrade, let alone the equal service with 
the eastern suburbs that we deserve." 

"People have a right to feel short-changed, because there isn't a dollar 
for the Regional Rail Link to service Tarneit, Wyndham Vale, Deer Park and 
Derrimut and no new bus services for these and other outer suburbs in 
Hume, Melton, Brimbank and Wyndham," 

"Even the most basic improvements would have helped, like better car 
parking and station upgrades at Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Ginifer, 
Melton and Craigieburn, to name a few."

"We need new train stations at Caroline Springs, West Werribee, Wyndham 
Vale, Derrimut and Tarneit as part of the Regional Rail Link, but there 
isn't a cent for any of them in this budget."

"If the Australian Dollar drops in value, car drivers will get a real 
shock at the petrol pumps.  It isn't fair to deny the newer suburbs a 
public transport alternative," said Ms Hartland

For comment: Colleen Hartland - 0417 445 845

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

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: http://mps.vic.greens.org.au

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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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