Mildura: MP calls for residents to sign rail petition

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From Mildura Independent click here!

MP calls for residents to sign rail petition

SATURDAY, 12 JANUARY 2008

Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp has urged residents to sign the petition for the reinstatement of their public transport passenger rail service to Mildura.
He said this petition will then be presented to State Parliament, indicating the Sunraysia public?s support.

Mr Crisp said then will come the push for a comprehensive rail package including the case for the upgrade and standardisation of rail infrastructure for both passenger and freight services.

?There are several factors contributing towards this renewed groundswell of demand for the return of our passenger train including exponential growth of the region, geographic isolations, rising fuel costs, climate change, and the need to establish Mildura as a ?connected? destination for tourism, freight and for the future needs of the region,? he said.

?Mildura should accept nothing less than a high-tech public transport system, especially in light of the delays, and broken promises from successive governments, and the combination of events and cultural tourism, and the need to cater for our aged residents, and people with a disability by giving them transport options taken for granted in metro areas,? Mr Crisp said.

Mr Crisp said that additionally the youth market needs to be captured and capitalised on as both the Australian and overseas backpacker population continues to grow.

?The priorities for infrastructure have to be the conversion of the track to standardised gauge (from the current broad gauge) to provide connectivity to capital cities, ports and national rail system, for both freight and passengers, and an upgrade to cater for a Very Fast Train (VFT) track, cornering and signalling systems,? Mr Crisp said.

?I urge the region?s residents to get behind this petition, as work has started on the line at long last, which provides a springboard to push for the ?entire package?, including the return of a passenger train,? Mr Crisp concluded.