|
Denis Napthine
Premier of Victoria Wednesday, 16 July 2014 Industry stakeholders are being asked for their views on network options for the transformational Murray Basin Rail Project, Deputy Premier Peter Ryan announced today. The project will standardise rail from Mildura to Geelong, transforming the way freight is transported in the western half of Victoria; saving farmers and businesses on transport costs and taking thousands of trucks off the road. Following the release of the Murray Basin Future Freight Demand and Infrastructure Requirements Study, the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure is seeking stakeholder views on the project options and alignments detailed in the report. Speaking in Mildura today with The Nationals Member for Mildura Peter Crisp, Mr Ryan said consultation would begin immediately. “This project has been more than a century in the making and I’m glad to mark the first real step in getting this historic project underway,” Mr Ryan said. “The Victorian Coalition Government committed up to $220 million from this year’s budget to get this project done – the money is in the budget and we’re raring to go. “The views of stakeholders will be fed into the Murray Basin Rail Project’s business case, which is due at the end of the year.” Mr Crisp welcomed the news. “The project will build and upgrade freight lines on the network to 21 tonne per axle loading, which means trains will be able to haul an extra 300-400 tonnes or 15 per cent more weight,” Mr Crisp said. “This means about 10 trucks will be taken off the road for each train trip. “Victorian produce will get to Portland, Geelong and Melbourne more directly and more cheaply. Keeping transport costs down is essential for Mildura farmers and businesses aiming to export produce onto the world market. “Ultimately, this project will enable a Transcontinental Rail Link between Mildura and Broken Hill, NSW, connecting to the Perth interstate rail line. “The first stage of the Project will include an initial $40 million to upgrade the Hopetoun and Mildura rail lines to ensure quick benefits from better freight movement.” The final alignment of the Murray Basin Rail Project will be guided by the business case. The Murray Basin Future Freight Demand and Infrastructure Requirements Study is available at www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/freight Sunraysia Daily
By Graeme O’Neill May 5, 2014, 4 a.m. MEMBER for Mildura Peter Crisp says the Victorian Government’s proposed $220 million project to upgrade the Mildura-Geelong rail link to standard gauge is “a huge win” for Mildura and the Mallee region. MEMBER for Mildura Peter Crisp says the Victorian Government’s proposed $220 million project to upgrade the Mildura-Geelong rail link to standard gauge is “a huge win” for Mildura and the Mallee region. Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan announced the long-awaited Murray Basin Rail Project at The Nationals’ annual state conference in Benalla on Saturday. Mr Ryan said the project would “improve transport efficiency and enhance access” to the ports of Portland, Geelong and Melbourne for Victorian exports. He said the entire project would be completed by 2018. In a statement released at the conference, Mr Crisp predicted the “game-changing” project would create new jobs and drive investment throughout the region. He described the upgrade as “a crucial first step” in the return of Mildura’s passenger rail service, axed by former Premier Jeff Kennett in 1993. “The community has wanted this, I have wanted this, and to be here in Benalla today alongside … Peter Ryan to announce this funding is truly an exciting moment.” Mr Crisp said the investment would revolutionise the movement of freight through the region, enabling greater access to southern and international markets for one of Australia’s leading food and mineral-producing regions. He said that building and upgrading the line would deliver significant productivity improvements that would ultimately benefit local producers. Mr Crisp said he had been lobbying for the upgrade and standardisation of the Mildura line since he was elected in 2006. “I have long argued that if we are to see a return of passenger services to Mildura, we must first deliver vital maintenance upgrades and standardisation,” he said. Mr Ryan told The Nationals’ conference the first stage of the project, costing $41 million, would include upgrading the Mildura to Maryborough section of the line to Geelong. The current broad-gauge line is in a decrepit state, causing three derailments in the section between Mildura and Donald in the past two years – freight trains are limited to a speed of 25km/h in some sections. Mr Ryan also announced the $41 million first stage of the $220 million project would include an upgrade of the existing standard-gauge line between Hopetoun and Murtoa. He said the business case for the full Mildura to Geelong standardisation project would be completed by the end of the year. Mr Ryan’s statement was interesting for what it did not announce – in particular, it did not explain how all-the-way standardisation of the Mildura to Geelong line would be achieved, given that there is no standard-gauge line between Ballarat and Geelong. JUST BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION
Maureen Donnellon Heard an interesting little story about the lack of seating. A grandparent from my town went to put his three grandchildren on the "hell bus" at 1 am or thereabouts in their previously booked seats. Seems there had been a function further up the line and only seats for two. They wouldn't leave one child behind so the company sent another bus along, which went all the way to Ballarat with only 3 passengers. Of course they missed the connecting train to Melbourne to get them to work next morning so the company hired a taxi to take all three to Melbourne. Very noble of the company which shall remain un named, but so silly and expensive and such a worry for the kids and grandparents and IF WE HAD A TRAIN it would not have happened. The Town concerned is Birchip. This backs up my claims of pre booking seats on the "Hell Bus" and when boarding at Donald, being told by driver to find an empty seat which is impossible as everyone else is stretched all over any empty seats asleep. (The editor) Pat LINK HERE
13 May, 2014 12:15PM AEST Confused messages over passenger rail By Charlotte King A recording has emerged of the Premier Denis Napthine downplaying the possibility of a connection between a standardised rail network and a passenger rail service for Mildura. The comments were made at a media conference in Ararat last week, and contradict statements made by the Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan, when launching the policy that standardisation is a 'crucial first step' in the return of Mildura's passenger rail. In the recording Dr Napthine tells a journalist there will be no available train carriages for the rail line, with the change to a standard gauge making it impossible for Victoria's broad gauge passenger trains to travel on the line. "Um...that's challenging because, other than the Sydney service, we don't have passenger rolling stock that's for standard...all our rolling stock passenger services are for broad gauge," he says. "So there may be some opportunity in the future, but I would not emphasise in any way shape or form anything about pa...I wouldn't want to raise people's expectations. This is about freight rail." A member of a group campaigning for the return of Mildura's passenger rail says the National party need to be clear about the possibilities of a train for the region. Ali Cupper, from the North West Rail Alliance says the Deputy Premier is being dishonest with the electorate. "Given that the Premier is saying: 'no false hope, I'm being up front with you guys, don't be thinking you're going to be getting the passenger train, that ain't happening'. That I respect, because at least he's being clear about it. I think that the Nationals need to be upfront and honest about the realities - they are in Coalition with the Libs; we don't want to be hood-winked," she says. "So if it is the case that there is no chance of passenger rail piggy-backing on freight at this point in time and for the forseeable future, that's their prerogative, but be clear about it, don't be trying to sort of give us false hope." A government spokesperson says both leaders have clearly stated there may be future opportunities to return passenger rail to Mildura and the Murray Basin Rail Project is an essential first step. The spokesperson says that passenger lines run on standard gauge from Melbourne to Albury and also from Melbourne to Adelaide. Sunraysia Daily
June 18, 2013, 3:30 a.m. I’d like to share a story with you regarding my circumstances in relation to public transport in north-west Victoria. Isolation: Concern in small towns. I’d like to share a story with you regarding my circumstances in relation to public transport in north-west Victoria. I live in Ouyen and for me it’s a major issue getting to Melbourne because of mobility issues and the damage a long bus trip causes to my body. If I want to get to Melbourne I have to pay between $300 and $400, which includes a return taxi fare from Ouyen to Mildura and airfares so, for me, having access to a passenger train service is essential. This is just my situation, but what about those who live in communities such as Woomelang, Donald and Birchip who have the same problem as me; they’ve basically been discriminated against since the train was stopped in 1993. Returning passenger rail to Mildura is not just a public transport issue but also an equality and economic issue. Disabled people may be a minority but people reading this article should understand that disability doesn’t discriminate; anyone can become disabled. Public transport in north-west Victoria is a complete and utter joke. It will mean absolutely nothing for people like me if the government takes the easy way out and doesn’t return our passenger rail service and just improves coach services. We know there would be costs involved in re-introducing a passenger rail service to Mildura, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. It would provide equal access for all in relation to public transport in our region. Clem Blake Ouyen |
