Transport plan bypasses Ranges

By Tania Martin
YARRA RANGES commuters have again been bypassed in the latest $38 billion, 12-year transport action plan.
The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) has slammed the State Government for its latest offerings for the outer east.
In the plan that was released last Monday, hills commuters were given little hope of the current train squeeze being alleviated.
But the duplication of the Belgrave and Lilydale lines was only mentioned as something to be considered in the longer term.
In its report, the State Government outlined a raft of improvements including a promise to deliver on short-term project such as increasing the number of trains, trams, buses and road initiatives.
Premier John Brumby said the $38 billion plan to 2020 and beyond set out clear goals to deliver Victorians the best transport network in Australia.
“Our action plan will transform our transport network,” he said.
Some of the key projects will include $5.4 billion for a new rolling stock of buses, and up to 70 new trains.
Shire of Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn has questioned why it was not looked at more seriously in the 12-year plan.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges and the ETC have been advocating for the line duplication for more than three years.
Cr Dunn said although the project rated a mention in the report, it was not a real commitment.
She said hills residents had again been short changed.
Cr Dunn said with no real promise for improvement along the line, commuters would be forced to get back in their cars.
“It’s very disappointing because I was part of the consultation process around the plan and we made it very clear particularly in the Yarra Ranges what we needed,” she said.
Cr Dunn said the only real hope left for commuters was the pending bus service review.
“The only way we are going to keep people on the trains is providing a way to get to the stations,” she said.
Cr Dunn said she would continue to advocate for more trains on the Lilydale/Belgrave lines.
But she said it was clear that something needed to be done far sooner than the 2020 period of the transport plan.
“This is going to keep driving people back in their cars and we want to be moving away from that,” Cr Dunn said.
ETC chairman and Knox councillor Mick Van de Vreede said the outer east had not received the generational step up it needed to provide transport choices for its residents.
Cr Van de Vreede said the contrast between Melbourne’s west was damning.
“They rightfully receive new train lines but in the outer east we are given long off promises and toll roads,” he said.