ADVOCATES for the return of passenger rail to western Victoria say their project has been overlooked.
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It comes as the state government announced a $13 million pledge for the Yarra Valley tourist railway and a promise to fund three stations at Goornong, Huntly and Raywood at the cost of $3 million per station.
The Coalition also announced a $4 million pledge to the Yarra Valley tourist railway project.
Horsham Mayor Pam Clarke said she was “staggered” that passenger rail in western Victoria was continuously overlooked.
She said the advocacy group had lobbied state and federal governments to return passenger rail to the region for more than a year.
Eight Western Victorian councils launched a campaign in April 2017 calling for the return of passenger rail to Horsham and Hamilton. They now require funding to develop a business case for the Western Rail Project.
The Coalition pledged $4 million to complete a business case, but the state government has not made a commitment.
Cr Clarke said the state government appeared to be making pledges in electorates with swinging seats. The Lowan electorate has only one candidate – just two months from the state election.
“They are throwing money left, right and centre – but mostly in swing seats. It’s frustrating and wrong on all levels,” Cr Clarke said.
“They have given money to projects such as the Maryborough to Dunolly, which services 1500 people who have not asked for it and have no feasibility study.
“We spent a lot of money to get a proper feasibility study and are lobbying with the governments. We are doing all of this and a community of 1500 people gets passenger rail and 110,000 people get ignored.”
A Rail Revival Alliance Victoria spokesman said the state government showed a “great level of inconsistency, disparity and lack commitment” to meeting regional communities’ priorities.
“The state government can come up with $13 million funding for a tourist railway, but cannot find the funds or courage and conviction for essential passenger rail services,” he said.
“Transport Minister Jacinta Allan promised her electorate funding for three station in her electorate, but only one station (at Huntly) was in need. The other two stations, their populations are too insignificant to warrant stations.”
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