Victorian Election 2006 - Rail issues

[ozbob]

More country rail lines could close, Government says
Max Berry
The Age, Melbourne, October 3, 2006
WITH an election eight weeks away, the State Government did not have a long-term plan for rail freight, and further closures of country lines could not be ruled out, a senior Government member indicated yesterday.
Parliamentary secretary for Transport Carlo Carli told a meeting of rural mayors concerned about the rail freight network that the Government "could not give a blanket commitment" to retaining all lines.
Mr Carli admitted that unlike passenger rail transport, there was no 10-year plan for rail freight and the Government was having "difficult times" negotiating for improvements with Pacific National, which holds a 45-year lease over the intra-state rail network. The Kennett government granted the lease.
The Government was working with Pacific National and other groups to restore the network and was committed to an integrated transport system, Mr Carli said. This would result in more intermodal terminals to transfer freight from road to rail in regional areas.
"Rail's place in the sun is now," Mr Carli said.
But the summit heard that because of a lack of maintenance, safe operating speeds on country lines were down to "bicycle speeds" of 20 km/h in places while the number of heavy trucks on country highways was growing, along with the problems of accidents, noise and road damage. Geoff White, a Glenelg councillor and Alliance of Councils for Rail Freight Development chairman, said local government was concerned because councils were responsible for road maintenance, and residents' safety and social amenity were threatened. There had been six line closures this year, he said.
Charges set by the Essential Services Commission for train operators to use Victoria's network under the open access system were significantly higher than in other states and often made rail unviable, he said.
"If the next state government fails to address the infrastructure and viability issues of the network, the network will be reduced to just where passenger trains operate," he said.
Mr White said that despite a 1999 commitment, the Bracks Government had not built any more standard-gauge track.
"Not to have a single (extra) kilometre of track standardised? is a disaster for regional economic development," he said.
Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the Government had spent $14.2 million on consultants and engineering reports for the standardisation project, yet the documents were nowhere to be seen.

[ozbob]

Vic Govt promises discounted bus, train tickets
Friday, 27 October 2006. 10:36 (AEDT)

The Victorian Government has promised to reduce the cost of V/Line bus and train tickets by an average of 20 per cent if it is re-elected in November.

Transport Minister Peter Batchelor says the savings will be greatest the further the distance travelled to or from Melbourne.

He says there will be a $10.50 saving on a day return trip between Bendigo and Melbourne. Albury Wodonga commuters would save about $20 and Shepparton and Benalla passengers about $12 on day returns.

"If you catch the train in from Echuca that saving that will be $13.60," he said.

"These are massive savings for country families and will go a long way to helping improve the public transport experience, as it expands under this Government across country Victoria."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200610/1774935.htm?elections/vic/2006/

[ozbob]

Country councils see benefits in rail buyback pledge
Thursday, 2 November 2006. 11:37 (AEDT)Thursday, 2 November 2006. 10:37 (ACST)Thursday, 2 November 2006. 10:37 (AEST)Thursday, 2 November 2006. 11:37 (ACDT)Thursday, 2 November 2006. 08:37 (AWST)

Country Victorian councils have cautiously welcomed promises by the state Labor and Liberal parties to buy back Victoria's rail freight network.

The Loddon Shire, north-west of Bendigo, has been hit by higher road maintenance costs in the shift of heavy bulk freight to the road network over the past 20 years.

Chief executive John McLinden says improvements to the state's rail freight network should also include upgrading of level crossings and signalling.

"We've seen in the last 10 to 20 years a shift away from rail with a preference for road and the Loddon Shire will be very excited to see grain back on the rail and off the roads wherever possible," he said.

"This council can see no point in delaying implementing this process if the in-principle decision and an agreement has been reached."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200611/1779476.htm?elections/vic/2006/

[ozbob]

Batchelor looks to Mildura rail line fix
Thursday, 2 November 2006. 08:44 (AEDT)Thursday, 2 November 2006. 07:44 (ACST)Thursday, 2 November 2006. 07:44 (AEST)Thursday, 2 November 2006. 08:44 (ACDT)Thursday, 2 November 2006. 05:44 (AWST)

Victorian Transport Minister Peter Batchelor says a re-elected Labor Government will work to fix the Mildura rail line in western Victoria by next harvest.

The Labor Party announced yesterday that it has signed an in-principle agreement to buy back the rail freight lines from Pacific National.

The Liberals have committed to do the same if they win government.

Mr Batchelor says regardless of the in-principle agreement, Labor plans to spend $53 million to fix the Mildura line if it wins the election, and the Federal Government provides a requested $20 million.

He says that could happen by next year's harvest.

"That's what we would like to do, but we have to win the election, have to conclude negotiations with Pacific National and have to get the Commonwealth Government on board," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200611/1779278.htm?elections/vic/2006/

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track strongly supports this media release from the PTUA Victoria.

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Country rail buy-back welcomed by transport users
November 2nd, 2006 (Media releases, Regional)

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed reports that the state government will buy back the lease of the state?s country rail network from Pacific National.

?We?re pleased that the government has heeded our calls for the country rail network to be brought back under public control,? said PTUA President Daniel Bowen. ?Privatisation failed to ensure adequate investment and maintenance across the network, and the access regime worked against competing operators. This announcement is encouraging news for people right across the state.?

Mr Bowen called on all political parties to now commit to restoring rail services to regional centres including Mildura, Leongatha, Horsham and Portland. ?We?ve been disappointed by the lack of progress on rail services to places like Mildura and Leongatha. The lease buy-back will allow the government to forge ahead with the return of passenger rail services across the state and provide relief from high petrol prices.?

Mr Bowen also noted that the government?s announcement lacked detail on future plans. ?We need a competitive, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly rail freight system to meet the challenges of rising oil prices, climate change and wear and tear on country roads from increasing road freight. The government needs to respond by improving the coverage, quality and integration of the rail network and accelerating standardisation.?

Mr Bowen concluded with a reminder that contracts with the private operators of Melbourne?s suburban rail networks will expire in the next term of government. ?The country rail buy-back cost over $130 million. The government can get back the suburban network for free by not renewing the franchise agreements with Connex and Yarra Trams.?

http://www.ptua.org.au/2006/11/02/pn-buyback-welcomed/

[ozbob]

Some links from various parties and policies re rail/transport.

http://www.alpvictoria.com/alp/pdf/policies/A_Fare_go.pdf

ALP Main site http://www.alpvictoria.com/

http://www.vic.liberal.org.au/default.cfm?action=policies_2006
Liberal Party

http://www.vicnats.com/policies/default.asp
The Nationals

http://www.vic.greens.org.au/
The Greens

http://www.peoplepower.org.au/policies/index.html
People Power

http://vic.democrats.org.au/
Democrats

http://www.dlp.org.au/
Democrat Labor Party (DLP)

http://www.familyfirst.org.au/state.php?gid=2
Family First

http://www.christiandemocratic.org.au/vic/
Christian Democratic Party

http://www.countryalliance.org/policies.htm
Country Alliance

Parliament of Victoria --> http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/