Article: State 'fails' on trains, power, water

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

State 'fails' on trains, power, water

State 'fails' on trains, power, water

    * Stephen McMahon
    * From: Herald Sun
    * March 04, 2010 12:00AM

VICTORIA'S train system has been branded a dunce, scoring a D grade.

A damning industry report also assessed the state's overall infrastructure as "barely adequate".

Despite the State Government's multitude of transport plans, the scathing report card from Engineers Australia said the train, water and electricity systems have been going backwards in the past five years.

The report says billions of dollars must be spent to bring Victoria's crumbling train and rail system up to scratch.

It calls for a "complete modernisation" of the metropolitan network, in contrast to Metro boss Andrew Lezala's bold plan reported earlier this week that the company wanted to double passenger numbers.

Engineers Australia's Prof John Wilson warned the failure to upgrade electricity facilities left Victoria exposed to a huge spike in power cuts over the summer months.

"Overall we give the rating of all our infrastructure in Victoria probably around about a C, saying it's barely adequate," Prof Wilson said.

He said the $3.5 billion desalination plant being built was an expensive and energy-intensive source of water and more thought should have been given to alternatives, including recycled water.

But Treasurer John Lenders defended the Government's track record.

"There are challenges, but we will continue to invest heavily in the train system," he said.

Mr Lenders said Engineers Australia's infrastructure wish list could be achieved only with a rise in debt and big tax increases.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said this showed things were getting worse, not better.

"This Government has had 11 years and lots of opportunities," he said.

"But there has been a fundamental lack of investment."

[#Metro]

Ahh, looks like it is in almost every state. Must be to do with the administrators...

[stephenk]

If Victoria's trains are a "D", then Queensland's are a "F" for Fail!

[Otto]

If Victoria's trains are a "D", then Queensland's are a "F" for Fail!

Was just thinking the same..

[#Metro]

No, it's 'C' for 'cancelled'...