AT A recent meeting of Western Victorian councils, mayors and chief executive officers, it was agreed that passenger rail transport to the western areas of the state was vital for economic development, and the maintenance and expansion of rural communities.
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"The rail tracks are there, it is now a matter of using the existing infrastructure to provide this vital service to our communities," Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Cr Albert Calvano said.
Application was made some months ago for a Feasibility Study on passenger rail services to both Portland and the Wimmera, and Councils are keen to see this work undertaken.
"Our highways are already busy with road transport, and it is important we provide public transport options for our community," the chair of the Western Highway Action Committee, Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Cr Kevin Erwin said.
"This is vital to reduce highway congestion, and improve road safety on our highways."
The resolution reached at the meeting was that:
All Councils in the western half of Victoria agree, that it is vital for passenger rail services be restored to Portland (in the southwest) and Wimmera (in the northwest). In order for this objective to be achieved, we feel it is essential that a feasibility study to be undertaken into how this might be best managed. Councils have agreed to commit funds, and the State Government has so far committed some regional transport funds to the project, however we now call for a public commitment from all political parties to supply the rest of the funds needed to fully fund this important study.
Signatories to the resolution include the mayors of Ararat Rural City, Hindmarsh Shire, Horsham Rural City, West Wimmera Shire, Yarriambiack Shire, Northern Grampians Shire, Southern Grampians Shire, Glenelg Shire, Buloke Shire and Pyrenees Shire.
