Article: Victoria's new marginal seats seek election promises on transport

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Melbourne Age --> Victoria's new marginal seats seek election promises on transport

Councils in Melbourne's outer fringe are determined to use their new-found status as marginal electorates to push for critical transport projects.

Commentators say two seats in growth areas in the north and south-east could decide which major party will win government in Victoria's November election.

At the northern fringes of the city, a huge boundary change to the seat of Yan Yean has put the traditional ALP stronghold on a knife edge. Labor has held the seat since its creation in 1992, but the redistribution means the Liberal Party is now predicted to hold a tiny advantage in an area that takes in Wallan, Whittlesea, Mernda and Doreen.

The reform makes Yan Yean, held by Labor MP Danielle Green, the most marginal seat in Victoria.

On Monday Whittlesea Council will launch an RACV-endorsed campaign for a new $115 million Hume Freeway interchange at Epping and a $650 million extension of the train line from South Morang to Mernda. A council website urges residents to send a reply-paid postcard to Victorian MPs seeking basic transport services.

South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance spokesman Darren Peters said for the first time local residents were in a powerful bargaining position. ''The parties know that if they don't make that promise [to extend the rail line] they won't win the seat and they won't win government in Victoria because the margin is so slim,'' he said ...

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victorias-new-marginal-seats-seek-election-promises-on-transport-20140316-34vkn.html