Election 2010 - Victoria State Election

[#Metro]

PTUA has made a nice game: http://www.ptthatworks.org.au/buck.php

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Baillieu revives airport rail link

Baillieu revives airport rail link
Clay Lucas
November 15, 2010

A BAILLIEU government would begin developing an airport rail link to run from Flinders Street Station to Melbourne Airport if it wins this month's election.

The link is a key element of a $1.4 billion transport plan that includes 40 new trains - seven in a first term, which might do little more than replace trains leaving the system, and 33 in a second term.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said, if elected, the Coalition would begin planning work on the rail line immediately.

In 1999, Labor was elected on a promise to ''kick-start construction of a rapid transit link'' to the airport, but former transport minister Peter Batchelor abandoned the plans in 2002, saying it would cost too much.

SkyBus services to the airport, which cost $16 one-way, were instead ramped up under Labor.

''John Brumby's broken promise to build an airport rail link has left Melbourne behind Sydney, Brisbane and many international cities,'' Mr Baillieu said. ''[Our] plan will put an end to the slow crawl along the freeway, expensive taxi fares and lugging heavy suitcases from Southern Cross train platforms to the [airport] bus,'' he said.

The opposition has committed $6.5 million to plan the new rail link. The plan would see ''a centrally located terminal'' for rail built at Melbourne Airport.

Mr Baillieu said a route option through Westmeadows would be considered. In 1998 the Kennett government reserved land for an airport rail line on the route.

Airport trains would start from Flinders Street, stop at Southern Cross, and have the option of stopping at North Melbourne. A Broadmeadows stop would also be investigated to allow for transfers to and from V/Line services through Seymour, Albury and Shepparton.

Melbourne Airport would be included in Zone 2, to lower the cost of getting to and from the airport.

Planning for the new airport rail line would be overseen by a new transport authority proposed by the Coalition called the Victorian Public Transport Development Authority.

The Public Transport Users Association welcomed the proposal, saying it would please travellers and the airport's 12,500 staff.

''A rail link to the airport is needed now. SkyBus is successful but overcrowded, gets delayed at peak hour, and its premium fares deter people.''

New stations have been promised for Southland shopping centre in Cheltenham and at Grovedale, near Geelong.

The public transport authority - another key policy plank - is to oversee extension of the state's rail lines, better co-ordinate timetables, and improve maintenance.

The authority would cost $10 million to establish, and would be responsible for planning, co-ordinating and managing the state's public transport system.

Victoria has at least 24 different government and private agencies responsible for running the state's public transport system. There are also 77 separate bus companies.

The opposition would retain the Department of Transport but would replace the Transport Ticketing Authority, Metlink, VicTrack and Public Transport Safety Victoria with the authority.

The proposed authority would:

■ Oversee extension of the public transport network, especially rail.

■ Co-ordinate timetables for trains, trams and buses.

■ Allocate funding for maintenance and renewals.

■ Promote public transport.

Mr Baillieu said the authority would end the blame game that was common under the existing model.

Transport academics and lobby groups supported the proposal.

RMIT academic Paul Mees has long called for such a body and welcomed the plan. ''I am optimistic about this.''

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said Mr Baillieu's proposal would not improve public transport.

The Public Transport Users Association's Daniel Bowden said of the plan: ''Of the three biggest parties, only Labor does not have a policy to address the disconnect in public transport management.''

[#Metro]

I just CANNOT BELIEVE I am reading this.
WOW! The other guys really dropped the ball. This one is a category-buster type promise.

Seriously, I think the current government down in victoria better start writing their CV as they will probably be all looking a job soon!

[#Metro]

Melbourne Airport would be included in Zone 2, to lower the cost of getting to and from the airport.

No gouge fares either!!! UNBELIEVEABLE 

[ozbob]

Many powerful messages for the George St crowd, both ends ...

Bring it on!!

[ozbob]

Obviously a bit 'smarter' down South than in the 'Smart State' ...

http://www.ptua.org.au/myths/citylink.shtml

Myth: We can't have airport trains because the Citylink contract forbids it
Fact: Although the Citylink Concession Deed requires the State Government to compensate Transurban if it acts in certain ways that might restrict Citylink revenue, the terms of the contract indicate an airport rail link would only trigger compensation if it carries freight.

Melbourne's privately owned Citylink tollway is operated subject to a 'Concession Deed', a contract between the State Government and private operator Transurban. This specifies the obligations on both parties over the 33 year term of the contract. In particular, it places obligations on all Victorian Governments over that period in relation to transport policy and management.

At around the same time as Citylink a similar project, the Hills Motorway (M2), proceeded in New South Wales. The Concession Deed for that project implied that if the State were to develop new public transport services parallel to the M2, it would be required to pay compensation to the private tollroad operator. By agreeing to this, the government had effectively restricted itself from pursuing sustainable transport policies in the future, and this led to a public outcry over the contract terms.

The Concession Deed for Citylink also includes strong 'Material Adverse Effect' provisions that are broadly similar to those for the M2. These can be found in Clause 2.9 and the Appendix to the Deed, which is available from the government's online contracts system at www.contracts.vic.gov.au. These provisions might oblige the State Government to compensate Transurban if, for example, it

    * introduces "free or near-free" public transport;
    * fails to treat Citylink on equal terms with other Melbourne freeways when managing traffic flows, or fails to maintain the arterial roads that feed traffic to Citylink;
    * connects another road to Citylink that removes traffic from it;
    * removes any of the "Agreed Traffic Management Measures": a package of lane closures, clearway removals and traffic calming on roads parallel to Citylink that encourage motorists to use the tollway instead;
    * introduces car parking restrictions with the objective of reducing traffic in inner Melbourne (apart from in the CBD itself); or
    * introduces new roads or public transport services that have "a detrimental effect" on Citylink's financial performance.

Since the western section of Citylink is also the main road route to Melbourne Airport, it would appear that a train line to the airport is just the kind of thing that would trigger compensation. Were this the case, advocacy of the train line might face problems (though even this is far from clear, as we explain below).

Fortunately, however, the Deed also expressly excludes certain items from triggering compensation. In particular, Exhibit J to the Deed outlines a set of "Major Transport Network Changes" that "cannot constitute or give rise to a Material Adverse Effect". In case of any doubt, Clause 12.12 also provides that the State shall not have any liability in regard to these "Major Transport Network Changes".

Exhibit J itself is not available from the contracts website, but it can be found on the Vicroads website. It lists a number of potential projects that the government at the time wanted to reserve the right to build at no risk in the future. This included on the one hand all the road projects from the Kennett Government's Linking Melbourne freeway plan of 1994 (most of them now built), and on the other hand,

    the development of a new public transport rail link between the central city and Tullamarine Airport as part of the metropolitan heavy rail network.

In other words, there is no obstacle or liability for the government under the Citylink contract if it wishes to build a passenger rail line to the airport. The Deed does provide in a specific clause that this rail link may still give rise to a Material Adverse Effect if it "is utilised for the purpose of transporting freight". But as long as the airport rail link is not a freight line the rules would seem quite clear: there are no grounds for Transurban to claim compensation if an airport line is built.

More recently, negotiations between the government and Transurban have led to Transurban relaxing aspects of its Concession Deed in return for generous government-funded road improvements (such as additional lanes on the Monash Freeway). Transurban has already stated in its 2006 'Sustainability Report' that it would not seek "a financial payment by the State" for non-exempt public transport improvements, but would instead "negotiate to extend the CityLink concession beyond its current end". So the government should feel in no way constrained by the CityLink contract when improving public transport or freight rail, even where it can't rely on Exhibit J.

But even if airport rail or some other improvement weren't specifically excluded, and Transurban reversed its current stance to insist on financial compensation, it's still not at all certain they would be entitled to claim it. A legal argument can be made that if Transurban could reasonably foresee at the time of signing its contract that the government might build an airport line sometime in the next three decades, it ought to have factored this possibility into its business case.

Returning to Sydney's M2 motorway, it turns out that the government has since built a train line parallel to the M2 (the Chatswood to Epping link) and the private operator has not made any claim for compensation. As the NSW Auditor-General noted, the operator made clear at an early stage that it was taking into account the likely construction of the line. So even though the NSW government didn't protect itself by providing for the project in its contract, ultimately it has not been exposed to compensation claims.

Advocates of a train line to the airport, then, need not be sidetracked by the threat of Citylink compensation payments. The link is feasible and could be built for around $75 million - the same as the airport operator takes each year in profit from its car parking operations.

[ozbob]

Media Release Victoria Labor

10/11/2010

$354.6M PLEDGE FOR REGIONAL TRAINS, BUSES AND ROADS  

A future Labor Government will keep Victoria's regions strong by investing more than
$354.6 million to deliver more rural and regional trains and better roads.

In Ballarat today, Premier John Brumby announced that a future Labor Government would invest in new train carriages to get more seats on regional Victoria's booming regional rail network, build passing lanes on the roads that connect regional centres and boost local community bus services.

"Labor will keep the jobs coming to regional and rural Victoria and we will keep investing in job-creating transport infrastructure across the State," Mr Brumby said.  

"Our partnership with regional and rural Victoria has produced remarkable results: more than 120,000 new jobs created, population growth to 1.45 million and our regions are contributing $62.6 billion towards the State's economy.

"We know that people want to get their destinations more quickly and we understand how important quality roads are to economic prosperity. That's why we've made major investments such as duplicating the Calder Freeway and building the Geelong Ring Road and Regional Fast Rail.

"Our disciplined financial management means we have a AAA-rated budget and strong budget surpluses over the forward estimates, giving our Government the capacity to provide additional funding for more train services, better bus connections and safer regional roads."

Labor will invest more than $135.3 million for 20 new VLocity carriages for the V/Line train fleet – adding to the 134 already being delivered – and $163 million for regional road upgrades including for the Midland Highway, the Bellarine Highway and Ballarat-Buninyong Road.

"More than 12 million trips are made on the V/Line network every year and a future Labor Government will add even more regional carriages which will mean more seats on the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Latrobe Valley lines," Mr Brumby said.

A future Brumby Labor Government will also deliver:

•   $20 million for the Bellarine Highway duplication to Banks Road;
•   $15 million to upgrade the Midland Highway in Bendigo;
•   $13.5 million to widen Pioneer Road in Grovedale;
•   $10 million to duplicate Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road to the Geelong Ring Road;
•   $8 million to upgrade Ballarat-Buninyong Road (Geelong Road) in Ballarat;
•   $7 million for three Midland Highway overtaking lanes from Geelong to Ballarat;
•   $5.5 million for three Midland Highway overtaking lanes between Bendigo and Ballarat;
•   $7 million for two overtaking lanes on the Princes Highway, east of Bairnsdale;
•   $5 million to upgrade Ballarat-Maryborough Road at Miners Rest; and
•   $7 million for planning two important Calder Highway interchanges at Fogartys Gap Road and the Calder Alternative (Ravenswood).

Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said Labor would provide families and businesses in regional and rural Victoria with road infrastructure to lock in a prosperous future.

"Labor understands roads are vital to the economic and social prosperity of regional and rural communities, connecting our towns and suburbs and ensuring efficient freight movement and creating jobs," Mr Pallas said.

"Whether it's overtaking lanes, duplications or upgraded connections to key centres, we will deliver better and safer travel for families and businesses in regional Victoria.

"A $65 million boost for important maintenance work boosts the economy, enhances road safety and ensures our roads continue to service our regional communities well into the future."

Mr Pallas said the pledge built on the $3.2 billion invested by Labor on the State's regional and rural roads, including more than $490 million on over 1300 safety projects.

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said more seats across the hugely successful V/Line regional rail network would provide corridors such as the Geelong line – V/Lines busiest route – with a significant travel boost.

"More people are jumping on board Geelong line services and a future Brumby Labor Government will introduce a 20-minute off peak frequency, meaning an extra 125 weekly services," Mr Pakula said.

"There will be an additional 25 services every weekday, increasing the off-peak frequency from every hour to every 20 minutes.

"People travelling on the Ballarat, Bendigo and Latrobe Valley lines will also experience major improvements with more VLocity carriages to add more seats to the network."  

The Stawell community will benefit from the Brumby Labor Government's announcement that it will reopen the town's station with passengers being able to catch the popular Overland train service that operates between Melbourne and Adelaide.

"The Brumby Labor Government also is increasing the number of seats available to Victorian passengers on Overland from 12 seats to 64 on every service," Mr Pakula said.

"This is a massive boost and increases the annual number of seats from 3744 to 21,200, including more seats for people travelling between Nhill, Horsham, Dimboola, Ararat, Geelong North Shore and Melbourne, as well as for people wanting to board the train from Stawell."

Regional and rural areas will also benefit from upgrades to local town bus services with increasing operating hours and upgrades to bus stops in Stawell, Maryborough and Kilmore. Weekend local bus services will also be introduced to Wallan for the first time.

===============

Holy horses, 20 minute off peak frequency to Geelong!  And good old SEQ is battling to get past 30 minute or worse in the suburbs !!

[#Metro]

"More people are jumping on board Geelong line services and a future Brumby Labor Government will introduce a 20-minute off peak frequency, meaning an extra 125 weekly services," Mr Pakula said.

"There will be an additional 25 services every weekday, increasing the off-peak frequency from every hour to every 20 minutes.

Groan. I would have a better service frequency off peak if I lived out at Geelong, than at my local rail station in Brisbane...

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Baillieu pledges rail link to Avalon

Baillieu pledges rail link to Avalon
Richard Willingham
November 18, 2010

AVALON Airport will get a passenger rail link under a plan promised by the state Coalition if it wins the election on November 27.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu has pledged to spend $50 million in his first term to invest in design and planning, land acquisition and preliminary construction works of a rail link to Victoria's second major airport.

Under the plan, a new single-line track would branch off the existing Melbourne-Geelong rail line and cross the Princes Freeway - either by tunnel or bridge - between Little River and Lara stations.

Avalon, which is home to low-cost airlines Jetstar and Tiger Airways, as well as Qantas's Boeing 747 heavy maintenance, could have passenger train services as soon as 2016, Mr Baillieu said. After the initial $50 million, a further $200 million would be needed to complete the project.

Mr Baillieu said he hoped the cost would be shared between the operators of the airport and the federal and Victorian governments.

But Mr Baillieu said the pledge was not contingent on federal funding, although he was confident the Commonwealth would help, given that it owned the land.

A federal government spokesman said funding would require the Victorian government to make a submission to Infrastructure Australia, and even if the project was put on the national priority list it would not be guaranteed a grant.

It is the fourth announcement on trains by the opposition in the election campaign, but the first that actually commits to construction. It has previously announced a feasibility study into building a rail link to Melbourne Airport, as well as studies into a Doncaster rail line and extending the metropolitan network to Rowville, in Melbourne's south-east.

Mr Baillieu said the proposed rail link to Avalon ''in no way diminishes'' the Coalition's commitment to build a a railway to Melbourne Airport.

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said Mr Baillieu was giving Victorians false hope by promising a bunch of studies into rail. "The opposition's policy won't even get off the ground as Mr Baillieu has undercosted an Avalon rail link by at least $50 million,'' Mr Pakula said.

He also questioned whether the plan included the extra rolling stock needed to serve the extra capacity on the Melbourne to Geelong line.

And during a debate on ABC radio yesterday, Roads Minister Tim Pallas said that he did not view a rail link to Avalon as a priority.

Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings said the costings were accurate and were based on a report by Turner and Townsend, which Avalon commissioned last year.

Mr Giddings said Avalon had provided copies of the report to both parties ahead of the election.

David Fox, executive chairman of Linfox airports, said 1.5 million passengers used Avalon every year and the completion of a railway could boost numbers to ''4 or 5 million''.

He also said the railway could be a boon for jobs - currently there are 1500 staff and he said it could increase to about 5000 people.

''It will create hundreds of millions of dollars for the community, let alone the tourism dollars for the local region, it is just mind-blowing,'' he said.

RACV general manager public policy Brian Negus welcomed the plan, but said a rail link to Melbourne Airport should be a much higher priority.

[#Metro]

Wow, it is like PUBLIC TRANSPORT FIESTA down there!! 

[#Metro]

RACV general manager public policy Brian Negus welcomed the plan, but said a rail link to Melbourne Airport should be a much higher priority.

What? Is that not a reversal of their earlier position???

[ozbob]

774 ABC Melbourne click here!

Transport Forum: Paul Mees, Terry Mulder, Tim Pallas

Tim Pallas, Minister for Roads and Ports and Terry Mulder, Shadow Minister for Transport went head to head in the second of our Conversation Hour Forums during the State Election. They were joined in the studio by Paul Mees Transport expert from RMIT and newly appointed advisor to The Greens and spent an hour taking your calls on issues ranging from clearways to bus routes to suburban rail expansions.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Growing pains: Victoria's population explosion

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Baillieu pushes high-speed rail links

Baillieu pushes high-speed rail links
Clay Lucas
November 23, 2010 - 11:03AM

A BAILLIEU government would establish a high-speed rail "advocacy unit" to push for the construction of high-speed rail between Melbourne and Sydney, and other capital cities, if it wins Saturday's election.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said high-speed rail's potential to transform Australian capital cities had been ignored by Premier John Brumby. He pledged to spend $4 million in his first term of government setting up the high-speed rail unit.

Its job would be to investigate and advocate for high-speed rail links between Melbourne and other capital cities. Mr Baillieu said high-speed rail had been proved a success in Asia and across Europe, but had stalled in Australia. "With more than nine million residents and rapid growth, it's clear that the Melbourne to Sydney corridor can support a high-speed rail link that joins all major south-east Australian population centres, including Geelong," Mr Baillieu said. Under the plan, Victoria would take the lead in ensuring that Melbourne hosted Australia's first high-speed trains, Mr Baillieu said.

There have been several failed attempts at establishing a Melbourne-to-Sydney fast-rail project. The last was in 2000, when the Howard government baulked at the $4.5 billion price tag of the Sydney-to-Canberra section of the rail line.

With no train capable of speeds over 250 km/h, Australia lags behind the world. The International Union of Railways says there is over 1700 high-speed trains on dozens of different routes, mostly in Europe and Asia. The Melbourne-to-Sydney air corridor is the world's third busiest, with 121 daily flights. The rail alternative is a half-day journey with a top speed of 130 km/h.

Coalition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the high-speed rail advocacy unit would be set up in addition to its commitment to build a rail link to Avalon Airport, and plans for rail links to Melbourne Airport and Doncaster in its first term.

The $4 million cost of establishing the high-speed rail unit is on top of the $10 million to be spent establishing the Coalition's proposed public transport authority.

[Stillwater]

I am amazed that transport virtually is front and centre of this Victorian campaign.  Normally transport lies about 6-7 in the polling of people's concerns.  Hospitals, 'cost of living' (economy), schools normally vie for the top spot, so it would be interesting to see the analysts' view as to how transport has the focus.  (Maybe some lessons to learn for the next Qld election.)  The other thing that is amazing is that, compared to Queensland, Victoria has it so good when it comes to public transport.

What's driving the issue down south is that the Opposition has nutted out in advance a strong transport policy -- statewide, corridor and regional plans.  People's imaginations are being fired up.  In Queensland, our Opposition attacks the government about its transport record, but does not put up an alternative.  It criticises the government about delays in building essential infrastructure, but does not state its timetable.

"Wait until we see the state of the finances" is a convenient excuse for not pulling together a comprehensive Opposition Transport Plan ahead of winning government.

The Opposition is hoping the Bligh Government will be so on the nose that we would vote Mickey Mouse into government.  Voters shouldn't let the Opposition have it so easy.  We are strong on pushing the government to spell out strategies, timetables, funding etc.  The Opposition deserves to be asked similar qustions - and have the answers.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

All parties failing on transport - RACV

All parties failing on transport - RACV

    * Ashley Gardiner
    * From: Herald Sun
    * November 23, 2010 9:33AM

THE RACV has blasted all sides of politics for their failures on transport issues this election.

RACV public policy manager Brian Negus said there was no complete and costed transport strategy from Labor, the Coalition or the Greens.

Mr Negus said Labor had failed because it had not committed to a tunnel from the Eastern Freeway to CityLink.

Labor had also failed to commit to an airport railway and the second stage of its new rail tunnel, from Domain to Caulfield.

"Congestion, adequate public transport and improvements to road safety are key issues in this election and the ALP's policies do not adequately address these issues," Mr Negus said.

The Liberal-National coalition had failed because it had not committed to the Eastern Freeway, to CityLink tunnel, the link from Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway, and the rail tunnel from Footscray to Caulfield.

"The Coalition's plan proposes a number of key projects but neglects others, and a strong commitment to the Airport Rail Link rather than their policy of yet another planning study is what is needed for Victoria," Mr Negus said.

The Greens had a strong public transport focus, including commitments to the airport and Doncaster lines, but there was not enough detail on funding.

"The Greens plan for public transport is solid but it fails to recognise the need for an integrated transport system in Victoria that takes into account not only public transport but road infrastructure and road users," Mr Negus said.

"Victorians expect political parties to comprehend what is needed to improve public transport and roads across Melbourne and in regional Victoria and commit to providing a comprehensive and integrated plan with clear timelines and funding."

The RACV has analysed all transport commitments from the three parties at www.racvelectionmonitor.com.au.

[#Metro]

"The Greens plan for public transport is solid but it fails to recognise the need for an integrated transport system in Victoria that takes into account not only public transport but road infrastructure and road users," Mr Negus said.

"Victorians expect political parties to comprehend what is needed to improve public transport and roads across Melbourne and in regional Victoria and commit to providing a comprehensive and integrated plan with clear timelines and funding."

The problem with the 'Roads and Public Transport Line' is that it has ZERO overall net change. What exactly is meant by "integrated" and "comprehensive" If the transport network starts off as seriously imbalanced in favour of roads, then 'balanced transport' projects will leave that original balance unchanged.

[Jonno]

To RACV, RACQ, NRMA, etc."integrated transport" really means do exactly the same as before (i.e. Roads first - PT just a token effort) but let's call it something different because the term "balanced approach" is on the nose and the public have seen through it!

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Main parties lead commuters up a dead end

Main parties lead commuters up a dead end

    * Ashley Gardiner
    * From: Herald Sun
    * November 26, 2010 12:00AM

The main political parties have been given the thumbs down for not biting the bullet on major projects. Source: Herald Sun

ALL three major political parties failed to put forward adequate transport policies during the election campaign, the RACV says.

The parties were given the thumbs down for not biting the bullet on major projects.

"A cohesive and integrated transport system is fundamental to Victoria's future, but all parties have failed to deliver on a comprehensive plan," RACV public policy manager Brian Negus said.

"On a number of these critical transport issues, the ALP, the Coalition and the Greens are missing in action."

Mr Negus said Labor had not addressed the east-west road tunnel from CityLink to the Eastern Freeway and an airport rail link.

The Coalition said nothing about the east-west tunnel, the Greensborough-to-Eastern Freeway link and the proposed rail tunnel from Footscray to Caulfield.

The Greens had a solid public transport policy but fell short on roads.

The Public Transport Users Association report card scored the Greens with an A, the Coalition a B and Labor a C.

PTUA president Daniel Bowen said simply building more major roads would result in more traffic.

"Ultimately the best way of cutting traffic congestion is to give more people a viable alternative to driving," he said.

"Perhaps you can't get everybody on to public transport, but a fast, frequent, well-connected, co-ordinated public transport network does get people out of their cars."

Mr Bowen said the Coalition had a number of positive policies, particularly their promise of 40 extra trains and the proposed Public Transport Development Authority.

Promises to consider rail links to Doncaster, Rowville and the airport were welcome.

Mr Bowen said the Labor Party fell short.

"Labor seems to have no overall vision for a fast, frequent, connected network across Melbourne and Victoria," he said.

"(They) have ignored community calls for a shake-up of the management of public transport."

Road congestion is expected to suck $4 billion from the Melbourne economy this year. Ten years ago it was $3 billion, and a decade from now it is forecast to hit $6 billion.

The RACV'S Brian Negus said it was not an option to simply stop building freeways and divert all resources to public transport.

Many of the promises made during this campaign have been aimed at key seats that could change hands.

"There has been more of a piecemeal approach to targeted projects," Mr Negus said.

One of the unwelcome side effects of a booming economy is a dramatic increase in truck numbers in residential areas.

Residents of the inner-west area around Footscray and Yarraville, around the ports, are becoming increasingly concerned.

Maribyrnong Truck Action Group spokesman Peter Knight said there had been a recent increase of nighttime
trucks along Moore St, Footscray, of 45 per cent.

"People in Moore St are going out of their minds," Mr Knight said.

"To those people who say there's always been trucks, that's just a lie.

"The big change is in night time traffic in Footscray."

Mr Knight said there were also concerns for safety among locals.

"If you go down to Francis St (Yarraville) or Moore St, every single time the light goes red, a truck will drive through."

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Planning, public transport tops concerns

Planning, public transport tops concerns
Sarah-Jane Collins
November 25, 2010 - 3:35PM

During the morning peak, Rose Street, Essendon is a hive of activity as school kids and city commuters make a beeline for the train station stopping for coffee, papers and a morning pastry on the way.

The shopping strip is in the heart of the state seat of Essendon where Planning Minister Justin Madden is hoping to switch to the lower house at Saturday's poll.

But voters here have had their fill of politics. Still recovering from the federal election, a lot haven't yet switched on to the state campaign.

At Brumby's bakery, Cathy Nicou is suffering voter fatigue. "I don't know if I'm a bit drained from the federal election, as a lot of people might be — but I'm not too fussed who wins," the small business owner and long-time resident says.

It's a sentiment shared by her customers and commuters at the train station across the street. But Nicou has thought a bit about the campaign, and says her customers frequently voice concerns about public transport.

"I think the state government can do better... I know transport's always an issue working across the road from the station — things like the cancellation of trains."

Madden, who currently represents the Western Metropolitan Region in the upper house, won preselection for the north-western seat, where the Labor MP is retiring.

On a Monday morning Madden is meeting commuters at Essendon station. It's his first time running in the lower house and he's enjoying the switch to local politics.

"There's a much greater connection with the locals and I'm a local and I know a lot of people," Madden says on a short break from thrusting leaflets into the hands of rushing commuters.

He's gotten the message voters are tired of campaigning.

"I think the long federal campaign has absorbed people's political concentration for the greater part of the year and it's only now that people are starting to consider the issues," he says.

Essendon, with a buffer of over 11 per cent, is solidly Labor. The seat stretches from inner-city Ascot Vale to suburban Strathmore Heights, bordered by Brunswick to the east and Maribyrnong to the west.

Won by the Liberal Party in the 1992 Kennett landslide and returned to Labor in 1996, Essendon has a chequered voting pattern and is the most vulnerable of the comfortably safe Labor electorates that span Melbourne's western suburbs.

The competition is hoping to capitalise on negative perceptions of Madden that stem from his handling of the planning portfolio.

The Liberal candidate is Rebecca Gauci, who has run previously for the Liberals in neighbouring Brunswick. She says Madden is switching houses to gain political influence.

"The people of Essendon deserve to be represented by someone who advances their issues and concerns rather than their own political career," she says.

The Moonee Valley Council is heavily represented on the ballot paper, with two councillors contesting the seat. Former mayor Paul Guiliano is running as an independent, and the Greens are running councillor Rose Iser.

Gauci, Guiliano and Iser all say planning is a major issue.

"Planning has been a key issue of the campaign. Many people in the electorate are concerned that overdevelopment is adversely affecting their neighbourhood," Gauci says.

"As planning minister, Mr Madden shut out the very local residents he now seeks to represent from key decisions that have shaped our local community."

Guiliano agrees.

"Planning is the number-one priority," he says. "We've got to have greater accountability, greater flexibility and more consultation... when planning so greatly effects our city I think a vote for Labor is a tick for their planning system, which I think is grossly inadequate."

Iser says voters raise the issue when she's out doorknocking and Madden's role as planning minister has focused their attention.

"People are telling me they will not support someone who has had oversight of indefensible decisions on planning and they will support other candidates and other parties," she says.

If he's concerned about a planning backlash, Madden's not giving anything away.

"I suppose we'll see what happens on the weekend but I think in this area people have a relatively good understanding of what the planning system needs to deliver."

Back at the station, North Essendon resident Fotini Kleftociannis, 44, nominates the environment, crime protection and the rising cost of utility bills as key issues.

Public transport, she says is much better than her previous suburb, Ferntree Gully. "Public transport is more often, more convenient... Before it was an hour on the train," she says.

Kleftociannis says she'd prefer to see Labor returned. "I'm one who'd rather stay in the frypan than jump in the fire and also I think they'll work more closely with the federal government."

[ozbob]

PTUA gives verdict on election policies

--> http://www.ptua.org.au/2010/11/17/election2010-scorecard/

Greens    Labor   Liberal/National
A             C            B

[ozbob]

Public transport has and is a major issue for Victoria.  I have little doubt it will be a critical issue in the Queensland 2012 state election as well.

Melbourne Age --> Late surge to Liberals

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Polls give Baillieu the edge

[Stillwater]

May be worthwhile asking PTUA president to come to Brisbane to lecture RailBOT and other interested parties on ways that organisation went about keeping the profile of public transport high on the agenda during the Victorian campaign.

[#Metro]

May be worthwhile asking PTUA president to come to Brisbane to lecture RailBOT and other interested parties on ways that organisation went about keeping the profile of public transport high on the agenda during the Victorian campaign.

maybe in our chatroom?

[ozbob]

Yes good idea TT and Stillwater.  After the dust settles and trams are back on the job, we can invite Daniel Bowen along for a chat.

Would be interesting for sure ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Late surge to Libs sets up Vic election cliffhanger

[Gazza]

May be worthwhile asking PTUA president to come to Brisbane to lecture RailBOT and other interested parties on ways that organisation went about keeping the profile of public transport high on the agenda during the Victorian campaign.

Have wondered why we don't call ourselves PTUA-SEQ....RBOT seems more than just rails these days!

[#Metro]

Hmm. We are not incorporated nor have user fees (which makes the forum accessible to everyone).
So we would be the PTU. LOL.

On a more serious note, rail should be the backbone, looks like slowly things are heading that way.

[ozbob]

Intend to stay as RAIL Back On Track (at least until RAIL Is On Track ..    ), have considered changing before more than once. Interesting feedback from Victoria was that RAIL Back On Track is a catchy name and in some ways preferable to PTUA.  Also reflects why we started.  There are other groups based in Brisbane that have different emphases and other names.

Names are not really where it is at, it is what we do.  

Back on track, looks like Labor is gone in Victoria ... http://www.abc.net.au/elections/vic/2010/

[ozbob]

Big swing is on in metro Melbourne, still line ball but increasingly looking like public transport has got them ..

If blue win, it will be fascinating to see if they kick myki into touch, vague notions of that during the campaign but the harsh reality will be a bit different ...

[ozbob]

ABC has blue winning --> http://www.abc.net.au/elections/vic/2010/

[ozbob]

Antony Green is calling the election for the Coalition, with the ABC's election computer giving it a majority of 12 seats.

http://www.abc.net.au/elections/vic/2010/

[ozbob]

No doubt about it, massive message for NSW Labor Government and QLD Labor Government. 

[ozbob]

From the ABC News click here!

Coalition seizes power in Victoria

Coalition seizes power in Victoria

Posted 7 minutes ago

ABC election analyst Antony Green says the Coalition has seized power in Victoria, ending Labor's 11-year reign.

A swing of around 7 per cent is sweeping Premier John Brumby's Government from power, with Ted Baillieu's Liberal/Nationals Coalition on track to form a majority government.

The ABC election computer is predicting the Coalition will form government with 48 seats, with Labor on 40.

The swing to the Coalition is centred mainly in metropolitan areas of Melbourne.

The ABC election computer had the Coalition gaining 13 seats, with the Liberals taking Bentleigh, Burwood, Carrum, Forest Hill, Frankston, Gembrook, Macedon, Mitcham, Mount Waverley, Prahran, Seymour and South Barwon from Labor and the Nationals gaining Gippsland East from independent Craig Ingram.

Liberal leader in the Upper House David Davies said he expected Mr Baillieu to be Victoria's next premier.

"I'm confident that we will get to 45 [seats]" he told the ABC.

Earlier today Mr Brumby, who had to change voting locations to avoid some protesters, appeared resigned to a swing against his government.

"I don't claim that everything we have done in government has been perfect," he said.

"It will be a tight election, but I think the difference at the end of the day is going to be about leadership for the future.

"It will be very close, very tight, and hopefully we will get a result tonight."

Mr Baillieu voted in his seat of Hawthorn today and said he was seeking to govern in his own right.

"We haven't done a deal with independents or Greens and we're not about to do a deal," he said.

"The message we're sending is clear. This is a tired, incompetent and out of touch Government that has had 11 years. They haven't delivered, they have left Victorians with big problems.

"We're going to do something about it; fix those problems and get on with it."

[ozbob]

Herald Sun click --> Premier John Brumby predicts hung parliament after grim day for Labor

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Baillieu on brink of power

[ozbob]

http://www.abc.net.au/elections/vic/2010/

Here's a quick recap of where things stand:

    * voters have delivered a 6.1 per cent swing against the Labor Government;
    * the Government has lost 12 seats, possibly more;
    * the ABC's election computer is predicting a narrow Coalition victory;
    * Premier John Brumby says the most likely result is a hung Parliament;
    * Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu says the result may be uncertain but Victorians have removed the authority of the Government.

[ozbob]

Antony Green's Election Blog --> Counting in Bentleigh to Determine Victorian Government

[ozbob]

http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Media%20Releases/10-11-18_33MillionCoalitionPledgeToUpgradeVictorianRailLevekCrossingsWelcomed.pdf

18 November 2010

$33 MILLION COALITION PLEDGE TO UPGRADE VICTORIAN RAIL LEVEL CROSSINGS
WELCOMED

On behalf of the rail industry, the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) welcomes the
announcement yesterday by State Opposition leader Ted Baillieu to commit $33 million to
install boom gates and flashing lights at up to 75 rail level crossings in country Victoria.

Mr Bryan Nye, ARA CEO strongly commends the Coalition for this decision and urges other
jurisdictions to also invest in railway level crossing safety measures.

"Railway level crossings cause the unnecessary death of around 37 people annually. Each and
every one of these deaths can be avoided through improved safety measures at crossings, and
by raising awareness about safety practices in the community," Mr Nye said.

The rail industry believes that zero deaths at railway level crossings is a very realistic and
achievable goal. Incidents at railway level crossings can involve pedestrians, cyclists, drivers,
passengers and train drivers, and often affect entire communities.

"Crashes at level crossings affect not only the car drivers and passengers who often lose their
lives, but also the broader community," Mr Nye continued.

"The installation of boom barriers and warning lights at railway level crossings is absolutely vital
in decreasing the number of deaths that occur at these locations," Mr Nye concluded.

The Rail Industry looks forward to working with the Victorian Government and Opposition
Parties to improve safety at railway level crossings, and in turn decrease the numbers of
fatalities and casualties that occur at railway level crossings.

The Rail Industry's highest safety priority is railway level crossing safety. Boom gates and
flashing lights are costly to install and so the Industry continues to seek Government support to
help boost safety at these road – rail intersections.

###