MEMBER for Lowan Emma Kealy says a Coalition government will return passenger rail services to the Wimmera if elected in November.
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Ms Kealy was at Horsham Railway Station on Tuesday to announce the Coalition would fund a $4 million business case driven by the Western Rail Project to expand railways and upgrade bus services across the region.
The promise includes funding a V/Line extension of train services to Horsham and Hamilton, new bus services between Horsham and Hamilton, and timetable improvements.
The Coalition also hopes to negotiate with Great Southern Rail to secure its continued service to the towns of Ararat, Stawell and Horsham, and are committed to running the Overlander for a further four years.
Ms Kealy said the commitment would help support growth in the region.
“There needs to be investment put into public transport in regional towns to support population growth and decentralisation,” she said.
“Access to transport is one of the main things people look at when they plan on moving into an area.
“We have a unique opportunity to get this done and get it right; if we can get this piece of the puzzle right then we’re heading into a great future.”
The Coalition has also promised to introduce tourist-friendly coach services to Halls Gap and the Grampians, including timetable improvements to provide better connections, more shelters and room for bikes to be carried on the bus.
Improved bus services between Hamilton and Horsham, and Halls Gap and the Grampians would include a new weekday coach service from Horsham to Hamilton, via Balmoral and Cavendish, and return.
“There is an essential missing link between the north and south, and the bus service between Horsham and Hamilton will help fix that,” she said.
“We’re also really excited to see improvements to Halls Gap to make the Grampians more tourist friendly.”
Graeme Sandlant owns and operates Sandlants Buses services between Stawell, Ararat and Halls Gap, and said he was pleased to see progress in improving bus services for the region.
“It’s been a while coming and the community is very supportive,” he said.
Horsham Rural City Councillor Mark Radford said all levels of government had invested heavily in getting Wimmera rail back on track.
“It is great to see the hard work of local governments across the Wimmera and south west being rewarded,” he said.
“Now it’s time for the state government to commit the necessary funds to advance the recommendations to the next stage.”
Southern Grampians Shire mayor Mary-Ann Brown also welcomed the announcement.
“Our study has shown that Western Victoria has the worst passenger services in the State and that the return of passenger rail to Hamilton and Horsham will bring significant benefits to the region, to Ballarat and to the State,” she said.
“We are seeking bipartisan support for this and are planning a trip to Canberra to meet with key Federal politicians and their advisers from all major parties.
“We have met on many occasions and will continue to meet with the state government and are optimistic that the federal and state governments will work together to achieve the vision outlined in the feasibility study.”